The Chicago Bears have cut out their targets for this year's free agent class. The free agent "legal tampering window" opened on March 12, leading to rumors surging on social media surrounding Chicago's free agent plans. Chicago is in need of many assets. Some recent transactions by the team include the waving of linebackers Pernell McPhee and Willie Young, and safety Quintin Demps. One of the Bears' biggest plans includes signing a new kicker. Players are allowed to sign contracts starting on March 14 at 4 PM ET.

Chicago starts their free agency run for 2018

Since the NFL's free agent legal tampering window started at noon on March 12, Ryan Pace and the Bears have been quick to address needs for the upcoming season. The time period has given the Bears the opportunity to agree to terms with wide receivers Allen Robinson and Taylor Gabriel, tight end Trey Burton, and place-kicker Cody Parkey, according to Robert Zeglinski of Windy City Gridiron The Bears will have a small return of last year's Special Teams. The signing of Parkey creates positivity at a position that this team has had trouble sustaining since the release of all-time leading scorer Robbie Gould.

Did the Bears find their kicker of the future?

Per Adam Schefter of ESPN, Parkey intends to sign with the Bears on Wednesday.

Parkey was a member of the Miami Dolphins last season and went 21-of-23.

Based on points per game, Miami's offense ranked in the bottom five of the NFL. Parkey went undrafted in the 2014 NFL draft, but he signed with the Indianapolis Colts shortly thereafter. After being signed, he was then traded to the Philadelphia Eagles, where he spent the first two years of his career. In 2014, after breaking the rookie scoring record (150 points) once held by former Bears kicker Kevin Butler (144 pts) back in 1985, a groin injury kept him limited during the 2015 NFL season.

He was eventually waived by the Eagles in 2016.

He quickly signed on with the Cleveland Browns, where he worked with current Bears special teams coordinator Chris Tabor. Tabor, having prior knowledge of Parkey, likely had a vital influence on the signing. Ryan Pace has looked for a solidified replacement for longtime position holder, Gould. After cutting Gould in 2016 for Connor Barth, Pace and the Bears have tried a multitude of options. Cairo Santos replaced Barth and only lasted one game before getting injured prior to a game against the San Francisco 49ers. Mike Nugent finished out last season, and now it is Parkey's turn for Pace and new head coach Matt Nagy.

The stats speak highly, as does Tabor. With a new special teams corps piece, the Bears are ready to start with their kicker of the future, Parkey.
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