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5 Players the Chicago Bears Could Use Franchise Tag On

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By @Will_Gellman

5 Players the Chicago Bears Could Use Franchise Tag On

Lance Briggs
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Now that the offseason is officially here for the majority of teams in the NFL, it's time to start thinking about the future. As far as the Chicago Bears are concerned, the future gives both the team and fans hope after a miserable 2014 season. One of the things they will have to decide is whether to use the franchise tag this offseason. While I would lean towards them not tagging anyone, the following five players are the most worthy candidates.

5. D.J. Williams

D.J. Williams Bears
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5. D.J. Williams

D.J. Williams Bears
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Linebacker D.J. Williams had a very good season for the Bears in 2014. This is especially true when you consider that their defense was just plain awful in many areas this past season. He had a total of 46 tackles in 2014, although he did not have a sack on the season. He probably won't receive the franchise tag over higher priority free agents on the team, but there is still an outside chance.

4. Lance Briggs

Lance Briggs Bears
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4. Lance Briggs

Lance Briggs Bears
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Lance Briggs is another candidate for the franchise tag at linebacker. He had 34 tackles and one interception in just eight games played in 2014, showing he can still play at a very high level. His advanced age is one reason why the Bears may not choose to tag him, but if they want to lock him up automatically for one more year, they may elect to overpay him a little bit in the short-term. For that reason, he is another candidate for the tag.

3. Charles Tillman

Charles Tillman Bears
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3. Charles Tillman

Charles Tillman Bears
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CB Charles Tillman is yet another option who could receive the franchise tag for the Bears. He is still a very productive CB in the league despite turning 34 in just a matter of weeks. Unfortunately for him, he is coming off of an injury-plagued season in which he played just two games. For that reason, he will probably not be an ideal candidate for the franchise tag as he will probably be cheaper, but the Bears may want to lock him up for 2014.

2. Chris Conte

Chris Conte Bears
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2. Chris Conte

Chris Conte Bears
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Like Williams, free safety Chris Conte was one of just a few bright spots on the Bears' defense in 2014. With a total of 43 tackles and three interceptions this season and 231 tackles and nine interceptions in four career seasons, Conte has been a pleasant surprise for the Bears. He is another player worthy of the franchise tag should a long-term deal prove difficult to agree to for both sides.

1. Stephen Paea

Stephen Paea Bears
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1. Stephen Paea

Stephen Paea Bears
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DT Stephen Paea is perhaps the most worthy candidate for the tag for the Bears. He is coming off a monster season in which he had 36 tackles, six sacks and three forced fumbles, playing in all 16 games. He is still young at just 26 years old and the team may put him at the top of their priority list of their own free agents. If that were to be the case, instead of risking losing him in free agency they could elect to use the franchise tag.

Will Gellman is a New England Patriots writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter, “Like” him Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

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