The Bears also need help at wide receiver, preferably a veteran who could help with Devin Hester's progress and take some attention away from him. Veteran Marty Booker and Brandon Lloyd didn't work out last year when the Bears tried the cheap approach.

The defense could use an impact pass rusher, and in the secondary the Bears have a bunch of decent strong safeties but no one who is a true free safety and capable of helping in coverage.

TEAM NEEDS/OFFSEASON STRATEGY

The Bears have to sign UFA John St. Clair if for no other reason than to have a serviceable and versatile veteran who has started games for them at left tackle (all 16 last season), right tackle and left guard. They may have to overpay a bit, especially if they don't want to pay St. Clair as a starter.

They also must upgrade at wide receiver and could use a free safety to replace Mike Brown, who they don't seem to have any interest in re-signing.

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 line: Last year's No. 1, Chris Williams, should start at left tackle after missing much of last season with a back injury and barely playing. But ORT John Tait is 34 and plans to retire. Last year's OLT, John St. Clair, will be 32 in July and is an unrestricted free agent who remains unsigned. Frank Omiyale, a UFA addition, might not prove to be more than a versatile backup.

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: 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.

--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 left tackle 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 left tackle, 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

--CB Marcus Hamilton.

--LB Nick Roach.

PLAYERS RE-SIGNED

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

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).