The Chicago Bears have plenty of areas they need to address in the offseason, and adding a quality safety is one of them. Fortunately, there is a perfect candidate that they can target in free agency: Indianapolis Colts safety Julian Blackmon.
Blackmon is an unrestricted free agent after this 2023 season, and the Bears have plenty of reasons to make a move for him. In fact, Bleacher Report listed him as an ideal free agency acquisition for the Windy City franchise.
With Eddie Jackson struggling in Chicago–having tallied just 27 combined tackles and one interception–the Bears could prepare to move on from him by adding Blackmon to the mix.
For the Colts, Blackmon has registered 88 combined tackles, five tackles for loss, one QB hit and four interceptions. Not to mention that he’s only 26 years old, unlike Jackson who is already 30.
The Bears are in the bottom half of the league when it comes to defense, so they could really use someone to bolster that area. Blackmon could very well be a massive addition for the them.
“While Blackmon has played a little more strong than free safety this year, he can still line up at both spots. Also, he’s having an impressive year in coverage with a good grade from Pro Football Focus in that department and a 53.3 passer rating when targeted heading into this weekend,” the Bleacher Report article noted.
“Plus, the Utah product will only be 26 years old next season and was a college teammate with impending free agent Jaylon Johnson, so signing Blackmon could entice the latter to stay in town.”
It remains to be seen if the Chicago Bears will make a move for Julian Blackmon. They do have other key areas to address, and they might want to focus first on addressing their quarterback situation since they are poised to pick first in the 2024 NFL Draft.
They are also lacking help in the wide receiver and other offensive positions, so addressing the defense might not be a top priority.
Julian Blackmon’s Injury Could Be a Concern for the Chicago Bears
One factor that might turn off the Chicago Bears in pursuing Julian Blackmon is his recent injury. The Indianapolis Colts have placed the safety on the Injured Reserve due to a shoulder injury, effectively ending his season with the team.
The severity of Blackmon’s injury–which he sustained in Week 16 against the Atlanta Falcons is unknown, but it has to be serious considering that he needed to be placed on the IR.
Depending on Blackmon’s health in free agency, it could very well have an impact on the Bears’ interest in him.
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