The NFL offseason, specifically free agency, is a time for hope for most teams. It's an opportunity to supplement your roster with outside additions and already developed talent. But free agency can also be a team's own worst enemy. A bad contract here or there and an organization's cap sheet could be clogged for seasons to come. A high-priced player is easier to stomach if he's producing. But if the on-field results are lacking than the deal is even more damaging.

Considering all this, the Chicago Bears appear to have had one of the worst free agency periods in the NFL, according to several ESPN NFC North reporters.

"The Bears are giving [Pernell] McPhee $15.5 million in guaranteed money as part of a five-year, $38.75 million deal," Rob Demovsky wrote. "For a part-time player, it sure looks like they overpaid. Remember, McPhee played only 47.2 percent of the defensive snaps last year for the Baltimore Ravens despite being available for every game...The Bears were desperate for defensive help as they convert from a 4-3 to a 3-4 scheme, but this is what happens in free agency when teams are desperate. They overpay."

McPhee is a good player but it remains to be seen if he can handle an expanded role. The Bears are paying him as if he is one of the better every-down defensive players. While he did excel in limited playing time last season, McPhee will have to be able to do that consistently in 2015.

Adding to the negative perceptions is Minnesota Vikings reporter Ben Goesslin's reaction to Chicago's replacement for Brandon Marshall.

"...it's the Bears giving $10 million guaranteed to wide receiver Eddie Royal after trading Brandon Marshall to the New York Jets," Goessling wrote. "I get the Bears needed another target for Jay Cutler, and Royal will, in theory, be the No. 2 receiver behind Alshon Jeffery. But Randall Cobb...only got $3 million more guaranteed than a guy who's never crossed the 1,000-yard mark in the NFL...that price seems to be a little too much."

Finally, Detroit Lions reporter Michael Rothstein believes the Ray McDonald signing sends the wrong type of message to the locker room and the fans.

"No team in the league went overboard with free-agent moves but Chicago signing Ray McDonald was poor for a lot of reasons," Rothstein wrote. "McDonald has not been charged with a crime but he has been suspected of domestic violence twice in the past year. That alone should be a red flag for any franchise choosing to bring McDonald in..."