DABEARSDABOMB

Reality is 4 qbs likely go top 9 - which means bears get shot at one of top 5 non qbs. If somehow a qb or two don’t get picked - you might be able to get decent value in a small trade down if you want.

I like that contract they got.

I wanted another top pick - but overall I can’t complain. Can get a ot or maybe even Bijan at that spot.

Yes. I'd probably try for some other future picks in there too, but yes. And in my dream world - it is what we get from trading from #2 (after getting some good value from the Texans).

We are completely aligned. He is a really good dude, relatively durable, but he is the definition of "just a guy". You shouldn't pay him much and we really should look to upgrade. He isn't explosive and he isn't a 3 dimensional threat that the Bears need. I am fully on board with taking a shot at RB in draft (and am fine if they go relatively early presuming they get a bunch of draft capital via trade down(s). I suppose I can live with Monty if it is a short term deal and they are still taking another shot at an RB in the mid rounds (at latest) - but he isn't a different maker, he's just okay, and they should be in the business of upgrading from okay at that position (and not tying up cap space there). Herbert is really good as a runner - but Monty is more 3 dimensional than Herbert which is why Herbert probably can't be elevated to full time starter (not a great blocker and a relatively weak wideout). Fields needs someone who can help him trust taking the "layups". Having a good 3D running back will be such a weapon to Fields - both in terms of giving him an outlet, but also making it even more difficult for teams to decide what to do on run-option plays. And most importantly - that strong outlet will be massive in terms of limiting the hits that JF takes (cause having a dynamic outlet for "checkdowns" is going to make sure he gets rid of the ball faster / trusts doing it - which will be huge in keeping him healthy and his LT development).

The Jags also have a really solid young tackle (think he is 25) who is likely to hit free agency (unless they agree to something in next handfull of days). We clearly have a need at RT - so maybe they go that way vs. Brown. Although, if Brown was willing to play - he was clearly a top 5 RT (and than you still have Jones - who you can watch another year and see if he takes that next step - if he doesn't, hopefully you have a few picks next year high enough where you can potentially tackle that position).

Plus he can play RT or LT. Last I looked we needed at least one. If jones is fine at LT - than we upgraded in RT (or vice versa). we know Brown is a legit top end starter, even if he had a down year a year ago.

I watched a different game. Hurts blew me away. The good news to me was Hirts wasn’t that guy 2 years ago so you can see the leap he took from year 2 to 3. That said - I saw elite throwing out of Hurts combined with excellent use of his legs. Tons of balls where only his guy could get it. Showed me just how poor Fields was as a passer - so there is a huge gap between him and Hurts from that standpoint but as I mentioned above Hurts grew massively in one year and we know Fields has the tools so that excites me.

I want at least one impact dlinemen, a tackle (unless we are drafting one - but like a high end offensive tackle) and I am probably signing a guard or center. Than fill around the fringes from there but my biggest signings are a dlinemen and offensive tackle. Does anyone know whether Braxton Jones would profile as a RT? I guess nice thing about Orlando Brown is he can play both.

Yeah this is good and obviously good for Getsy too.

Apologies - I was traveling in rural parts from Friday-Monday (with family) and during that time an issue with our server (not the server company) popped up. Basically - the database maxed out (I keep a lot of back-ups and needed to trash a bunch of legacy back-ups). It started happening last week intermitently but wasn't aware of the broader issue. Unfortunately - I was traveling in remote parts starting Friday so was NOT aware and when I became aware, well, I wasn't about to cut a rural vacation with my family short (sorry guys - but priorities). But yesterday I dug my car out (it was burried in 2 feet of snow from the storms we got on Friday night / Saturday where I was on vacation) and first thing I did when I get home was chat through and identify the issue, so everything should be back and working well and I don't expect the issue that persisted the past week to pop back up. So we should be back for good.

I agree - but I will also state - I am not selecting him at #1 overall.

It really comes down to - how much leverage can we get. If the Texans want a QB and they grade them out at the top and there is a big difference between him and someone else. It doesn't matter if it is just one spot - cause if they need to ensure they get there guy they have to pay a premium (presuming you have at least 1 or 2 other teams who are aggressive and feel the same way). That could mean you get 2 and a future 1st as the package (I don't know how much more you can get). That is a pretty strong offer (I don't know how much more greedy I could be in that scenario) but dream would be get a 2nd or 3rd this year plus a future first (or the Texans also have 12 - but maybe they prefer taking a pick at 1 and 12 to give some good foundation (from Texans perspective) for that young QB. My hope as a Bears fan is there is a strong view of you have a 1A and a 1B in this draft (and also the Bears have a strong view that they saw material progress in Fields progressions to think he's a 1A+) but the difference between 1A and 1B is also big (or teams have different views of who 1A / 1B are). That should maximize value and opportunity to get maximum value out of a Houston team while than putting Bears in a position that they can get maximum value for 2 (in a double trade down scenario).

So was thinking about Justin Fields and the whole construct around the #1 pick. I'm clearly in the camp of trade the pick, with that said, if I put myself in Poles shoes - below is kind of how I would hope him and the organization are thinking of the decision. In general - If Fields can't become a good passer (which given his legs means just okay as a pure passer) - than I think they are fine and they have their franchise quarterback. If the Bears don't think he can do that or have extreme reservations around that front - than they really do need to due all the diligence on the QB's (the reality is they need to anyway - if for nothing else to ensure they maximize all the leverage they can). I know 3 absolute positives: 1. Fields is an amazing athlete (like one of the most special ever at the position), 2. He has arm talent to make all the throws, and 3. He has the "it" factor in terms of being a natural born leader + right work ethic. I also see 2 material negatives: 1. His ability to process the field quickly - I see him go through progressions - but his ability to get rid of the football quickly and take the play in front of him, is absolutely horrific (I don't have a metric behind it - but I think its one of the worse I've ever seen - maybe because I think of all his other attributes). Does he need to be elite with this to be good, no, but he needs to be serviceable here. Having poor wideouts and poor protection DID not help him here and only the Bears knows how much growth he made (or didn't make this year). If in film review they know he made material progress - than you have real momentum that helps build on a belief that he can make major growth here. The inverse is - if through film review the team DID NOT see that progression or minimal progression - that is a real issue because you can't just blame it all on talent, etc. That might just tell you what you have. 2. Need to continue to clean-up his footwork and mechanics - he has all the arm talent (as I mentioned in the strengths) - but his ability to be more consistency on check downs and short / intermediate throws - will require continued improvements in this camp. Given the material progress he showed (this year vs. last year) on this front - I see zero reason to not project this out. Bottom line: This means if I am the Bears - my assessment in Fields upside really all comes down to there views around his ability to process the field quickly. If you saw real progress this year - than I think you should feel real comfort with another year in the league, one year in the system, and improved blocking and weapons around him - that you could see a major step forward in '24. If you saw minimal progress - than you have to be looking at QB. And as a fan - we really can't assess the above - because we don't know the expectations of the plays, the calls at the line, etc. Only the coaching staff and player know that. What I can say is - Getsy's body language most of the year seemed to insinuate very strong growth in the above and positive momentum there (with the exception of the Lions game - where he was pretty clear in how poor that performance was).

Nelson is a beast. His contract is massive though.

I think he is going to spend big on a free agent tackle. Orlando Brown. And he will spend big on a guy like Payne. From there I see more modest signings - hence my Even Engram or a Saquon / Brandon Jacobs. Draft a center in 2nd round and than if you like a guard or tackle great but I am than okay rolling with Jenkins/Whitehair at guard (Borom as back up) and Brown and Jones as tackles and the rookie center (if there is one that grades out). You still have Patrick as a back up center too.

Okay - so this is my absolute semi plausible dream scenario from a trade perspective: Bears trade 1 to Texans for #2 and their 2nd rounder this year and next year. Bears than trade with Colts - moving from 2 to 4 and get Colts 1st round pick, 2nd, and 4th this year plus a 1st and 3rd next year and Buckner. Cardinals trade down at 3 to somebody looking to get last QB. Bears draft Anderson at 4. Note: Total wet dream scenario is the original Texans trade is 1 for 2 and 12. Colts trade still happens as is.

This is why I say go sign a TE to a 3 year deal (like Evan Engrim). Combine him with Kmet and save your draft picks for something else. It isn't like there are free agent wideouts they are going to spend money on so why not pay a TE (call it 3 yr 30M or something). I go back to - having a 2nd TE to go with Kmet (who I like a lot) plus a better running back (as a receiver) and those are 2 additions that will help Fields from a safety net perspective (call it the dump off). Than you maybe draft a wideout and get Mooney (back) and Claypool (integrated w/an offseason) and than you have St. Brown, Harry (on the cheap if he wants to come back) and Velus Jones. That way you aren't using a ton of cap space or draft picks on skill position - but you are upgrading it pretty materially (a good TE is going to be a lot cheaper than a dynamic wideout, for example). Than use more of your high end picks on the lines plus the big splurges on cap space on the lines too (say get an Orlando Brown (who I don't love but you know what at some point just buy a high end LT even if its a poor man's high end LT) and an impact linemen (or two).

I'm greedy - I want to get that plus get Houston to give up a 2nd rounder to Bears to move to 2 (than make that deal with Colts)

They need to get a future 1st - very important. Because pretty high probability that future 1st will be top 10 (if not top 5). Teams with rookie QB's tend to be bad (spoiler alert).

If you want a tight end - just sign Evan Engram. Overpay a bit and pair him with Kmet. Two safety blankets for Fields. Honestly - and this is anti my usual stance on running backs - I would also look at Saquon. Focus draft on lines and a pick at wideout and spend some free agent money there but also use some free agent money on rb and te to give Fields check down options and double down on the strength that is the rushing attack (Saquon and Fields are both explosive).

Happy Bday!!!!

I think when they trade down we see them take one of the wideouts early.

I think I would love two trade backs in round 1 including finding a way to get an extra 1st rounder next year. Let’s start being a franchise who always has the capital to move around and be savvy vs the franchise who is always short on it.

This