Determined to upgrade their roster after a disappointing 3-13 season, the Bears have been the NFL's most active team during the first two weeks of free agency.
A look at all of the Bears transactions going back to the re-signing of offensive lineman Eric Kush on February 15th.
Feb. 15, 2017: Re-signed offensive lineman Eric Kush to a two-year contract.
Mar. 4, 2017: Re-signed long snapper Pat Scales to a one-year contract.
Mar. 4, 2017: Re-signed quarterback Connor Shaw to a one-year contract.
Mar. 6, 2017: Re-signed tight end Daniel Brown to a one-year contract.
Mar. 6, 2017: Tendered exclusive rights to wide receiver Josh Bellamy.
Mar. 6, 2017: Tendered exclusive rights to defensive back Bryce Callahan.
Mar. 9, 2017: Released quarterback Jay Cutler.
Mar. 10, 2017: Signed defensive back Quintin Demps to a three-year contract.
Mar. 10, 2017: Signed quarterback Mike Glennon to a three-year contract.
Mar. 10, 2017: Signed tight end Dion Sims to a three-year contract.
Mar. 10, 2017: Signed wide receiver Markus Wheaton to a two-year contract.
Mar. 11, 2017: Signed defensive back Prince Amukamara to a one-year contract.
Mar. 11, 2017: Re-signed linebacker Christian Jones to a one-year contract.
Mar. 11, 2017: Re-signed defensive back Johnthan Banks to a one-year contract.
Mar. 11, 2017: Signed defensive back Marcus Cooper to a three-year contract.
Mar. 11, 2017: Agreed to terms with offensive lineman Tom Compton on a one-year contract.
Mar. 11, 2017: Agreed to terms with wide receiver Kendall Wright on a one-year contract.
Mar. 14, 2017: Agreed to terms with kicker Connor Barth on a one-year contract.
Mar. 17, 2017: Signed defensive lineman John Jenkins to a one-year contract.
Mar. 20, 2017: Re-signed defensive back Chris Prosinski to a one-year contract.
Mar. 21, 2017: Signed RB Benny Cunningham to a one-year contract.
March 22, 2017: Re-signed defensive lineman C.J. Wilson to a one-year contract.
March 23, 2017: Re-signed receiver Deonte Thompson to a one-year contract.
March 24, 2017: Signed quarterback Mark Sanchez to a one-year contract.
Mar. 31, 2017: Waived DL Ego Ferguson.
Since the start of the new league year March 9, the Bears have inked an NFL-high 14 unrestricted free agents. The 49ers are second with 13, followed by the Colts (12) and Falcons (10).
The 14 free agents the Bears have signed include four of their own players and 10 from other NFL teams. The only club that has signed more players from other teams is the 49ers with 11—a total that includes former Bears quarterbacks Brian Hoyer and Matt Barkley and tight end Logan Paulsen.
The Chiefs have signed the fewest unrestricted free agents with two, while the Browns, Broncos, Packers and Texans aren't far between with three apiece.
General manager Ryan Pace's philosophy is to add young ascending players in free agency and that's evident in the fact that nine of the 10 players the Bears have signed from other teams are either 26 or 27 years old. The lone exception is 31-year-old safety Quintin Demps.
Cornerbacks Prince Amukamara (Jaguars) and Marcus Cooper (Cardinals), tackle Tom Compton (Falcons), quarterback Mike Glennon (Buccaneers), defensive lineman John Jenkins (Seahawks) and receiver Kendall Wright (Titans) are all 27, while running back Benny Cunningham (Rams), tight end Dion Sims (Dolphins) and receiver Markus Wheaton (Steelers) are 26.
The four unrestricted free agents the Bears have re-signed since the start of the league year are cornerback Johnthan Banks, kicker Connor Barth, safety Chris Prosinski and defensive lineman C.J. Wilson.
They also extended seven others prior to March 9: Guard Eric Kush, linebacker Christian Jones, receiver Joshua Bellamy, tight end Daniel Brown, defensive back Bryce Callahan, long-snapper Patrick Scales and quarterback Connor Shaw.
Pace believes in filling needs in free agency, which then creates flexibility entering the draft. After two busy weeks, it appears that's exactly what he has accomplished.
UPDATE: A couple hours after this story was posted, the Bears re-signed receiver/kick returner Deonte Thompson, the 15th unrestricted free agent they've inked since March 9.
