The Bears also need a veteran presence at wide receiver, even though they haven't admitted to it in public. Laveranues Coles would seem to be a perfect fit for a unit that was far below average last season and has already parted ways with veteran Marty Booker and will do so soon with Brandon Lloyd.

The defense isn't as needy, but the pass rush needs a jolt and safety has been a headache for the past couple seasons.

TEAM NEEDS/OFFSEASON STRATEGY

It wouldn't bother the Bears much if they didn't re-sign any of their own unrestricted free agents, except OL John St. Clair, who has proven his value over the years by being able to start games at three different positions, including all 16 at left tackle last season.

SS Mike Brown has been the heart and soul of the secondary for the past nine seasons -- when healthy. The problem is that last season, when he started 15 games, was the first time Brown played more than 12 games since 2003. If he's healthy, Brown is a valuable, even though he's lost a step. But he can't be counted on to play a full season anymore, so the Bears won't pay him starting money and even declined to make him any kind of offer prior to the start of free agency. But if no one else is willing to pat Brown as a starter, he'd be worth having back just for his leadership qualities.

RB Kevin Jones could also be brought back as a complement to featured runner Matt Forte, but Jones will probably want to be much more involved than he was last season, when he got double digit carries in just two games and was virtually ignored in the others.

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. There also isn't any quality depth. Bigger receivers like Hakeem Nicks and Darius Heyward-Bey make more sense than a little, injury-prone guy like Florida's Percy Harvin.

2. Offensive tackle: Last year's No. 1, Chris Williams, should start after missing much of last season with a back injury and barely playing. But ORT John Tait is 34 and expected to retire, while John St. Clair will be 32 in July and is an unrestricted free agent.

3.Pass-rushing defensive end: 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: CB Charles Tillman had shoulder surgery shortly after the regular season ended but should be 100 percent long before OTAs begin.

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.

--RB Kevin Jones didn't contribute much last season, and the Bears will be looking for a more productive complement to Matt Forte in free agency and/or the draft.

--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.

--OL John St. Clair filled in admirably at LT last season but is not the guy you want starting there for very long, but he is a valuable backup because of his versatility. However, with 2008 first-rounder Chris Williams waiting to take over at LT, the Bears won't pay St. Clair as a starter, although some team might.

--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: None.

PLAYERS ACQUIRED

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

PLAYERS LOST

--WR Marty Booker (released).

--LB Gilbert Gardner (released).

--LB Marcus Riley (released).