No Trey Smith? No problem! Some fresh faces are popping up as plausible Chicago Bears targets in free agency when the NFL’s new league year opens in March.
Sure, Trey Smith staying put with the Kansas City Chiefs thanks to the Franchise Tag puts a damper on the Bears’ plans. But the team shouldn’t let Smith leaving the free agency market before he could actually make it throw off their offseason plans. Instead, Chicago’s front office should be ready to pounce and pivot to other possible offensive line options.
On Thursday, we began exploring alternative offensive line fits now that we know the path to Trey Smith has a roadblock. Among those potential O-line additions listed was San Francisco 49ers left guard Aaron Banks. For me, Banks stood out because he was one of the few true left guards hitting free agency. This isn’t to say a player who has primarily suited up at right guard for their career can’t play on the left side of the line. But different mechanics go into playing left guard as opposed to right guard, and that is something we should be cognizant of as we try to think along with the Bears as they build out their offensive line.
SF 49ers left guard Aaron Banks | © Darren Yamashita-Imagn ImagesWith that in mind, Banks was someone I had an interest in as someone the Bears should kick the tires on this offseason. As it turns out, I wasn’t alone in thinking that way. The Chicago Tribune’s Brad Biggs lists Banks as a target the team can turn their attention to now that Trey Smith is no longer an option. A second-round pick by the Niners in 2021, Banks has played in 53 games (43 starts) in San Francisco to line himself up for a nice payday from a team that is looking for offensive line help.
That team could very well be the Chicago Bears. This is what Biggs heard from a scout who has watched Banks play ball:
“Big and strong and stout in relation to his size (6-5, 325) and moves pretty well. He’s a guy who has gotten incrementally better each season. Good player and I think the 49ers would love to keep him. It’s not like (former 49ers right tackle) Mike McGlinchey, who they knew would get overpaid and didn’t want to go there.”
It is possible that the 49ers run it back with Aaron Banks. Good teams don’t often let quality offensive linemen leave without putting up a fight. But with a rumored $15 million per year price tag attached, San Francisco could turn to a more cost-efficient option — especially since the team is likely to extend quarterback Brock Purdy’s deal soon.
Other possible Chicago Bears free agent targets on the offensive line
Aaron Banks isn’t the only offensive line target who could be on Chicago’s radar. Biggs’ story (which you should take some time read today) also mentions the following free agents as possibilities for the Bears:
Will Fries, Indianapolis Colts right guard Brandon Scherff, Jacksonville Jaguars right guard Mekhi Becton, Philadelphia Eagles right guard Kevin Zeitler, Detroit Lions right guard Jaguars RG Brandon Scherff | © Charles LeClaire-Imagn ImagesFor what it’s worth: Fries, Scherff, Becton, and Zeitler were all mentioned in our post on Thursday. As far as I’m concerned, I’m chalking it up as a “great minds think alike” moment. But also, the reality is that the Bears have obvious needs at three positions along the offensive line so there figures to be a ton of crossover between lists. Biggs also mentions Alabama’s Tyler Booker, Missouri’s Armand Membou, Ohio State’s Donovan Jackson, Texas’ Kelvin Banks Jr., and North Dakota State’s Grey Zabel as draft possibilities. When it comes to NFL Draft weekend options, we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it — which won’t be until after that first wave of free agency comes and goes.
To round things out, I am going to use this moment to recall what I said yesterday about losing out on the Trey Smith:
Does this Trey Smith news sting?Sure.Is it the end of the world?Hardly.#DaBears front office just has to work harder to unearth some gems in free agency and the NFL Draft.May the Force be with us all…
— Bleacher Nation Bears (@BN_Bears) February 27, 2025
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