From 2004-07, Brown missed 43 of 64 games with a variety of injuries, but the Bears seemed to always play better with their long-time quarterback of the secondary on the field. But instead the Bears will be hoping at least two from a group of five can play like Brown did in his prime.

Kevin Payne started 16 games last season, and Craig Steltz, last year's fourth-round pick, started slowly but played in 11 games and stood out on special teams. The Bears have added free agents Josh Bullocks and Glenn Earl to the mix. Danieal Manning is the wild card. He started 29 games at free safety in his first two seasons but was demoted to nickel back last season, where he played inconsistently.

TEAM NEEDS/OFFSEASON STRATEGY

Although they have added Browns castoff OT Kevin Shaffer, signed UFA OL Frank Omiyale and entertained 33-year-old, seven-time Pro Bowler Orlando Pace, the Bears aren't ruling out drafting an offensive lineman early.

But wide receiver has become a greater need, with only Devin Hester giving opposing defenses any concern. The Bears have had Hakeem Nicks in for a visit, but it's doubtful they would use the 18th overall pick on him.

It's possible too, although not probable, that the Bears could dangle that pick and more to make a play for disgruntled Broncos QB Jay Cutler.

TEAM NEEDS

1. Wide receiver: The Bears don't have a No. 1, and it's still a stretch to call Devin Hester a No. 2. The only other wide receiver on the roster with NFL experience is Rashied Davis, who is a No. 3 at best but probably no better than a No. 4 on a good team. The Bears need a big receiver, one with speed to stretch the field or enough physicality to work the middle.

Last year, the combined total of the five other wide receivers currently on the Bears' roster - John Broussard, Devin Aromashodu, Davis, Brandon Rideau and Earl Bennett -- was 35 catches and 445 yards, all by Davis.

2. Offensive tackle: Last year's first-round draft pick, Chris Williams, should start at left tackle after missing much of last season following training camp back injury. He played a handful of snaps in the second half of last season, mostly on special teams. ORT John Tait has retired, and unrestricted free agent John St. Clair, a 16-game starter at left tackle, signed with the Browns. UFA Frank Omiyale, who started one game in four seasons with the Panthers, and Kevin Shaffer, who was recently cut by the Browns will compete for the ORT job, although Omiyale could move inside to challenge OLG Josh Beekman.

3. Pass-rushing DE: Nobody on the team had more than six sacks and if the Bears can't get pressure with the front four the defense struggles, as it did much of last season.

MEDICAL WATCH: No updates.

FRANCHISE PLAYER: None.

TRANSITION PLAYER: None.

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS

--S Mike Brown makes the defense better when he's on the field, but in the past few seasons he hasn't been able to stay healthy, so he's unlikely to be brought back.

--QB Rex Grossman will be allowed to leave and seek a fresh start with a change of scenery.

--WR Brandon Lloyd started off impressively last season but then missed six weeks with a sprained knee and disappeared for most of the remainder of the season.

--OLB Darrell McClover doesn't figure as a defensive contributor, but he was a standout on special teams.

--S Brandon McGowan is a physical, in-the-box type but has been hurt more often than not, but he could be back at a bargain price.

--OT Fred Miller was signed late in the season strictly as insurance and never played. He will give retirement a second try.

--S Cameron Worrell was brought back late as insurance but doesn't figure to return.

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: None.

EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS: None.

PLAYERS RE-SIGNED

--CB Marcus Hamilton: ERFA; $460,000/1 yr.

--RB Kevin Jones: UFA; $3.5M/2 yrs, $1M SB.

--LB Nick Roach: ERFA; terms unknown.

PLAYERS ACQUIRED

--FS Josh Bullocks: UFA Saints; 1 yr, $525,000 guaranteed.

--QB Jay Cutler (trade Broncos).

--OT Frank Omiyale: UFA Panthers; $11.5M/4 yrs, $5.5M SB.

--OT Orlando Pace: FA Rams; $15M/3 yrs, guarantees unknown.

--OT Kevin Shaffer: FA Browns; 3 yrs, terms unknown.

PLAYERS LOST

--WR Marty Booker (released).

--LB Gilbert Gardner (released).

--OG Terrence Metcalf (released).

--QB Kyle Orton (Traded Broncos).

--LB Marcus Riley (released).

--T/G John St. Clair: UFA Browns; $9M/3 yrs, $600,000 guaranteed.

--OT John Tait (retired).