The Chicago Bears are working to restructure their secondary for next season, and it appears that they will have a new slot cornerback to fit into the system under new defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano.
According to multiple reports, the Bears will sign cornerback Buster Skrine when NFL free agency begins this week. Skrine, who played for the New York Jets last season, will make $8.5 million in guaranteed money, according to those reports, and could make $16.5 million overall over the three year life of his contract.
The eight-year veteran appeared in 14 games last season for the Jets, registering 58 tackles and defending eight passes in those contests. He also had four tackles for loss and a forced fumble, so the Bears could potentially use him in a blitzing role off the edge.
The signing of Skrine likely means the end of the line for the Bears with Bryce Callahan, who is set to hit free agency. Before an injury ended his season, Callahan was one of the best slot cornerbacks in the NFL, racking up 45 tackles and a pair of sacks to go along with two interceptions and six defended passes.
Now, it appears he will get paid serious money to go elsewhere, and the Bears are left to try to upgrade at the safety position and potentially add another big-name player in another spot as free agency gets underway in earnest.
