The Chicago Bears view Darren Sproles as a “natural fit” and could be among the teams most interested in landing the speedy and versatile performer recently released by the New Orleans Saints.
According to Fansided.com, though the Bears plan to primarily focus on defense in both the upcoming draft and the free agency period, adding Sproles as a potential replacement to Devin Hester has now also jumped to the top of their wish list.
Nearly three years younger than the punt/kickoff return record-setting Hester, who the team recently parted ways with, the Bears not only eye Sproles as a replacement in that arena but also as a change-of-pace back who can likewise thrive as an out-of-the backfield receiving threat in coach Marc Trestman’s high-powered offense.
As a Saint, Sproles set the NFL record for all-purpose yards in a season in 2011 with 2,696 yards. In his three seasons with New Orleans, he amassed 1,067 rushing yards, 1,981 receiving yards, and 21 touchdowns.
As for the added advantages of him now aligning himself with the Bears, Sproles also has a history with current offensive coordinator Aaron Kromer, who previously worked on the Saints’ staff and had a significant hand in aiding the 5-foot-6, 190-pound dynamo in becoming the league’s leading all-purpose performer (13,806 yards} since the 2007 season.
Sproles rushed for 220 yards last season and caught 71 passes for 604 yards and four touchdowns, notable declines from some of his past seasons but not so much that his teammates still don’t relish his value.
All-Pro tight end Jimmy Graham, himself embroiled in a contract dispute with the Saints organization, took to Twitter in the aftermath of the team’s announcement that Sproles would not be re-signed to relay how “disappointed” he is in the team’s decision.
The team recently announced it was placing the franchise tag on Graham, prompting a salary cap hit for the organization of $7.05 million, still more than $3 million a year less than what Graham is rumored to be seeking in a long-term deal.
