Column: Buy-low addition of Germain Ifedi gives the Bears a motivated competitor for right guard job

Free agency didn't deliver what Germain Ifedi was expecting, but that did not suppress his level of excitement about joining the Bears.

A Seahawks first-round draft pick in 2016, Ifedi hit the open market last month with 60 career starts, a proven track record for durability and experience at tackle and guard. He reportedly scored a 27 on the Wonderlic test coming out of Texas A&M, so he's bright. And with a massive 6-foot-5, 325-pound frame and 36-inch arms, he possesses the physical stature that won't leave an offensive line coach wanting more.

Sirius XM analyst Geoff Schwartz, a lineman for eight years in the NFL, predicted to NBC Sports Northwest that Ifedi, 25, would land a deal averaging $6 million to $7 million annually and perhaps more because of the nature of free agency and the shortage of experienced linemen, especially younger ones.

"The thing about free agency and the thing I am glad I did from the beginning is you just learn to taper your expectations, especially with all of the uncertainty we had with the CBA and uncertainty with the crisis going on around the world," Ifedi said. "It was tough to see the market start off slow, but once it did that, you changed gears and you just looked for the best opportunity.

"Still at a pretty young age, I wasn't too crazy about, 'I need this or that.' I just need opportunity to play. I know people love big numbers and all that, but I love to play ball and I love the opportunity. That is always going to win out for me."

The opportunity to compete for the starting right guard job was appealing to Ifedi, who started at the position as a rookie in 2016 and some before that at Texas A&M. In the pre-draft process, some believed he projected better on the interior because of his movement skills, so it's possible the Bears' need will fit his strength.

"Talking with Coach (Matt) Nagy and Ryan Pace, it's a team that is hungry coming off of a tough year there," Ifedi said. "The culture is good there, and we have an opportunity to do special things. I wanted to be a part of that, and it just seemed like a great fit for me. ...

"It's just getting back into that guard world. With all of this time off, it will be the perfect time to get back to that.

"I'm real comfortable with either position and ... it just depends on what the fit is. It wasn't a big decision for me. It was a no-brainer because when you're comfortable doing two things, you never feel like, 'This is going to be a drastic transition.' It's just getting back to what I have been used to."

Seahawks offensive tackle Germain Ifedi (65) looks to block Vikings defensive end Danielle Hunter during a 2019 preseason game in Minneapolis. Ifedi signed a one-year free-agent deal with the Bears after spending four seasons in Seattle. (Bruce Kluckhohn / AP)

It's a buy-low scenario for Pace, and the organization is confident new line coach Juan Castillo can lead a resurgence in the trenches. It's likely right guard will be the only position on the line that will have a new starter.

"He's a guy that we liked coming out in the draft. We've kept close tabs on him," Pace said last week. " We got him to really add competition to the offensive line. That depth there is important."

Inconsistency hurt Ifedi at times and led him to be penalty-prone. It's fair to wonder how a young, experienced player could wind up having to settle for a minimum salary. Following the money is always the first way to shape expectations.

Ifedi led the NFL with 16 accepted penalties in 2017, followed by 10 in 2018 and 12 last season, so the Bears will want to clean that up. Some believe he needs to be more patient with his hands.

Castillo communicated with Ifedi during free agency and was another selling point that made it a comfortable decision.

"He seemed really excited to be able to work with me and thinks he can continue making me a better player," Ifedi said. "His reputation speaks for itself. He's been in the league a couple decades and is as respected as there is as a coach, so it's a really cool opportunity to be able to work with him and all of the offensive staff, starting with Coach Nagy, who is a highly regarded offensive mind."

Ifedi remains in his hometown of Houston during the Covid-19 pandemic. He has been doing what he can to stay in shape so he's ready whenever the NFL greenlights teams to start activities.

"I am trying to safe and keep doing the right thing," he said. "I've got a few medicine balls and a few weights. You work out long enough, you can get yourself a good workout. You turn up the heat, do whatever you have to do to get your heart rate going and get moving. There are always creative ways to get some work in, and you can always go to a field and run."

The Bears have done well with finding linemen at cheaper deals and plugging them in. The Redskins paid swing tackle Cornelius Lucas in free agency after he filled in for half the season in 2019. Guard Ted Larsen was a steady performer, and Nick Williams proved to be a good fit on the defensive side.

If Ifedi can earn the job and show improvement, he'll have a chance to generate much greater interest in free agency in March, which means the Bears are getting a motivated competitor.

"You embrace whatever the hardship is or whatever the adversity is," he said. "Nobody anticipated having to sign that type of deal, but you just embrace it. This is such a great opportunity you can't help but do that. So much good can come of it.

"I can help this team win a championship. I can help me become the best version."

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