Thuney extended - 2 years

[adam]

This O-Line is now locked in for a few years. As long as they figure out who starts at LT (Jones/Trapilo), I like having this type of continuity.

 

 

[adam]

He will get a $1.5M raise annually from his current AAV of $16M, which only bumps him up one spot from 5th highest paid LG to the 4th highest. By this time next year, when the actual extension kicks in, he will probably be out of the top 5.

[DABEARSDABOMB]

Excellent

[adam]

If you consider Trapilo as the eventual starter at LT, the entire starting OLine is on contract or cost-controlled (5th year option for Wright) thru 2027, which is Year 4 of Caleb's rookie deal. If you extend that to the rest of the offense, you can include Williams, Moore, Odunze, Burden, Kmet, and Loveland. That is insane. RB is the position not signed thru 2027 (Swift and Roschon signed thru 2026). 

Outside of RB, the 2026 draft will be defensive heavy (Edge, Safety, DT, LB).

[ASHKUM BEAR]

20 minutes ago, adam said:

If you consider Trapilo as the eventual starter at LT, the entire starting OLine is on contract or cost-controlled (5th year option for Wright) thru 2027, which is Year 4 of Caleb's rookie deal. If you extend that to the rest of the offense, you can include Williams, Moore, Odunze, Burden, Kmet, and Loveland. That is insane. RB is the position not signed thru 2027 (Swift and Roschon signed thru 2026). 

Outside of RB, the 2026 draft will be defensive heavy (Edge, Safety, DT, LB).

LT will be Trapilo or Amagadje.  We have two that will compete and it will make them both better. 

My way to early mock had the same positions.  RB taken in the 1st after how they coveted Jeanty and Hendnerson.

1-24 Jeremiah Love RB ND 6-0 205

2-48 Braylon Shelby DE S Car 6-5 265

3-86 Dillon Thieneman S Pur 6-0 207

4-118 Demonte Capehart DT Clem 6-5 315

[Stinger226]

All the pieces are now  in place here thru 2027. That is how you fix the OL. 

[adam]

This also makes the trade for Thuney even more of a steal. They traded him for a 4th, which they got back in the Rams trade anyway. 

[adam]

It is going to be hard to comprehend what we are seeing on the O-Line this year. Thuney didn't allow a sack in 2024 lol. That is just absurd:

 

 

[adam]

and looking ahead capwise, there are some easy decisions to free up a ton of cap in 2026:

1. Edmunds - $17.4M Cap Hit, $2.4M dead money if cut/traded (Potential Cap Savings: $15M)
2. Kmet - $11.6M Cap Hit, $3.2M dead money if cut/traded (Potential Cap Savings: $8.4M)
3. Swift - $8.8M Cap Hit, $1.3M dead money if cut/traded (Potential Cap Savings: $7.5M)

Easy way to free up $31M w/o restructuring. I am not saying that will but I would suspect Edmunds and Swift are the most likely of those 3, Kmet is just there because of his cap savings.

[BearFan PHX]

If it is designated a post June 1st cut or trade, Kmet opens up $10M ($11.6M - $1.6M)

And this is true if you do it this year, next year or the year after. Cut or trade him, and open $10M.

If you Trade swift, with a post june 1st designation, you gain $8M in cap space.

So there are some nuances in whether cut or trade them, and whether you use a post june 1st designation.

But yes, there is potentially $33M of cap space with those three. YOu can also do contract stuff with players to open up cap space.

If there is a stud player we want, we can trade for them, especially if one or more of those guys are part of the trade back.

Like, Booker and Kmet for Trey Hendrickson for example.

Im not saying we should make that trade - I dunno how may years Hendrickson has left. But if we wanted to, we could.

[AZ54]

If the reports are true and this deal has saved us $8mil in cap space for 2025 what is the plan for that money?   We had $6.7mil in cap space before the deal.  If Poles were satisfied with the roster build for this year he'd be trying to pull in as much cap hit as possible for next year or the year after.   It isn't much to play around with and while I see lots people on Youtube saying we can now go get Hendrickson if we want him.  I suppose that's true but it seems too rich to me.  I suspect a different vet DE signing on a 1yr deal.  

[BearFan PHX]

18 minutes ago, AZ54 said:

If the reports are true and this deal has saved us $8mil in cap space for 2025 what is the plan for that money?   We had $6.7mil in cap space before the deal.  If Poles were satisfied with the roster build for this year he'd be trying to pull in as much cap hit as possible for next year or the year after.   It isn't much to play around with and while I see lots people on Youtube saying we can now go get Hendrickson if we want him.  I suppose that's true but it seems too rich to me.  I suspect a different vet DE signing on a 1yr deal.  

It's hard to say. Hendrickson is a superior player, but how many years does he have left in him? If he was 27 this would be a no brainer. So if you think he will decline, which is a good bet id say, then you probably go the way you say - a lesser DE one year deal.

But if they think hes gonna be strong for 2 years and then have rotational value after that for example, you might do it?

[Stinger226]

7 hours ago, AZ54 said:

If the reports are true and this deal has saved us $8mil in cap space for 2025 what is the plan for that money?   We had $6.7mil in cap space before the deal.  If Poles were satisfied with the roster build for this year he'd be trying to pull in as much cap hit as possible for next year or the year after.   It isn't much to play around with and while I see lots people on Youtube saying we can now go get Hendrickson if we want him.  I suppose that's true but it seems too rich to me.  I suspect a different vet DE signing on a 1yr deal.  

As much as we have some question marks at a few positions, I too, believe DE is where we will add someone. There are a few still in FA, Judon and Z Smith but I suspect some one cut will come into play. Before they ever consider cutting good players they are going to let the season play out. Edmunds could thrive in a DA defense. Swift and kmet could be valuable to the offense. With the Thumey money figured in we havce 16 mil in cap space going into next year but will have only a few spots to look for starters. Its going to be one year at a time.

[BearFan PHX]

8 hours ago, Stinger226 said:

As much as we have some question marks at a few positions, I too, believe DE is where we will add someone. There are a few still in FA, Judon and Z Smith but I suspect some one cut will come into play. Before they ever consider cutting good players they are going to let the season play out. Edmunds could thrive in a DA defense. Swift and kmet could be valuable to the offense. With the Thumey money figured in we havce 16 mil in cap space going into next year but will have only a few spots to look for starters. Its going to be one year at a time.

Im not saying to trade any of these players per se, but I do want to make one point.

A player is not more valuable because they are on the Bears roster already? It's Ok to trade good players if you get something more helpful in return. And then the new player will be on the roster, so you can be a fan of them then?

I think about what the Bears still need (and no roster is ever perfect) and I think about players out there that can help us.

we've been so terrible for so long, that as Bears fans we are used to wanting to keep anyone that can kinda play. But now, our roster is much fuller, and we are at the point where we will let good players go in trades. When you have a player that you know you arent goingt to pay big money to in the future, who is still a good player, it is better to get some trade value for them than to milk that last year out of them. Now I admit that compensatory picks do change that formula somewhat, so understanding that sometimes losing a player to free agency is a benefit in terms of compensatory picks, there will still be many cases where losing that last year of a players contract is worth what you get in trade.

Eventually, when you're winning, you have to realize that you will lose your players to free agency, and replace them through the draft. Any sustainable winning formula requires it. So gaining extra draft capital, even in the 3rd, 4th and 5th rounds, is necessary.

So I would say maybe be less attached to players just because they are on the roster when you follow a winning team, and think more about keeping the team going with new faces or you will age out and be back to mediocre where we lived for FAR too long.

I get it that that could be a challenge for a fan who wants to develop a relationship with the players, but that loyalty doesnt keep teams relevant. At some point, the question has to be asked whether we root for the team, or the players on the team. For me, it's the team.

[Stinger226]

I get your point it just doesnt apply to this roster this year as constructed. What is more valuable, Cole Kmet or a 5th round future pick? We drafted a potenial better player in Loveland but he isnt on the field yet. 50% of all first round picks never live up to expectations. So they are not making our team weaker , they will see on how well Cole fits in the offense and see how well Colston developes after he comes to camp.We are not adding ac 30+ ml contract this year. It will totaly blow up our cap space. 

We are thin at LB and as much as I agree Edmunds has not lived up to his money he is not a bad player. He may be a cauality next year if they replace him but not going anywhere this year.

I do think if Braxton comes back and plays well and Ozzy and Kiran look good, the possiblity exists we trade Braxton because we are not paying him 20+ next year. Two LTs got paid this year that are clearly worst than Jones. If he stays for the year and he gets a 20+ contract we will get a comp pick in the 3rd or 4th round. So he probably stays. 

[Mongo3451]

40 minutes ago, Stinger226 said:

 

I do think if Braxton comes back and plays well and Ozzy and Kiran look good, the possiblity exists we trade Braxton because we are not paying him 20+ next year. Two LTs got paid this year that are clearly worst than Jones. If he stays for the year and he gets a 20+ contract we will get a comp pick in the 3rd or 4th round. So he probably stays. 

That makes no sense at all.  If Braxton plays well, you pay him and trade away other dollars.  Nothing more valuable to a quarterback than good OT's.  There's no way to know if Ozzy and Kiran look good if Braxton doesn't let them on the field.

[ASHKUM BEAR]

56 minutes ago, Mongo3451 said:

That makes no sense at all.  If Braxton plays well, you pay him and trade away other dollars.  Nothing more valuable to a quarterback than good OT's.  There's no way to know if Ozzy and Kiran look good if Braxton doesn't let them on the field.

The hardest part for Braxton will be getting up to speed if he misses much of TC.  He's projected to be limited at the start.  Kiran's practice window opened Aug 20 last year and he missed crucial practices to develop for a rookie.  Braxton won't be nearly as bad, but he might miss the new coaching reps that can limit his technique to their liking.

[Mongo3451]

27 minutes ago, ASHKUM BEAR said:

The hardest part for Braxton will be getting up to speed if he misses much of TC.  He's projected to be limited at the start.  Kiran's practice window opened Aug 20 last year and he missed crucial practices to develop for a rookie.  Braxton won't be nearly as bad, but he might miss the new coaching reps that can limit his technique to their liking.

Context is everything.  My comments were strictly on his success or failure, based on what stinger said...

[BearFan PHX]

3 hours ago, Stinger226 said:

I get your point it just doesnt apply to this roster this year as constructed. What is more valuable, Cole Kmet or a 5th round future pick? We drafted a potenial better player in Loveland but he isnt on the field yet. 50% of all first round picks never live up to expectations. So they are not making our team weaker , they will see on how well Cole fits in the offense and see how well Colston developes after he comes to camp.We are not adding ac 30+ ml contract this year. It will totaly blow up our cap space.

Like I said, Im not saying to trade any of the per se. Not right now. All ive said is that Kmet is on the bubble, for next year, or possibly at the trade deadline.

Also, the logic to trading Kmet (which Im not saying I would do right now!) is not just the draft pick you get, but also the cap space you open up. $10M gets you a very nice free agent, for example.

but again, I am not at the decision point to trade Kmet, unless we get something big for him, like a 3rd or better. But if he was part of a package to get trey hendrickson here, for example, then his trade value and cap space would both be helpful.

And to be clear, Im not saying we should trade for Hendrickson either. I would need to know how good he projects to be in 3 years, and that's for the medical staff and whatever who know better than I do.

But just to be crystal clear - I've been predciting that the Bears will trade Kmet NEXT year or possible at the trade deadline this year, but I've also been super clear that he has this window to show what he can do for Johnson. So I think he could earn a spot here, but he has to work for it i think. For me, right now, without any more positive showing from him, he's gone next year. But if he balls out, then he will make the case to stay. Because everything "good" about him is what he COULD do if used properly. So that's a built in excuse, and maybe a fair one! But he has to show it now, and maybe he will. I'm just saying I havent seen it YET, and if it stays hows it's been, he will not be taking $11.6M worth of cap space next year.

None of that says trade him now, or that his story is over. But that's my bet, based on what's been before. The future is of course, unknown.

[Stinger226]

9 hours ago, BearFan PHX said:

Like I said, Im not saying to trade any of the per se. Not right now. All ive said is that Kmet is on the bubble, for next year, or possibly at the trade deadline.

Also, the logic to trading Kmet (which Im not saying I would do right now!) is not just the draft pick you get, but also the cap space you open up. $10M gets you a very nice free agent, for example.

but again, I am not at the decision point to trade Kmet, unless we get something big for him, like a 3rd or better. But if he was part of a package to get trey hendrickson here, for example, then his trade value and cap space would both be helpful.

And to be clear, Im not saying we should trade for Hendrickson either. I would need to know how good he projects to be in 3 years, and that's for the medical staff and whatever who know better than I do.

But just to be crystal clear - I've been predciting that the Bears will trade Kmet NEXT year or possible at the trade deadline this year, but I've also been super clear that he has this window to show what he can do for Johnson. So I think he could earn a spot here, but he has to work for it i think. For me, right now, without any more positive showing from him, he's gone next year. But if he balls out, then he will make the case to stay. Because everything "good" about him is what he COULD do if used properly. So that's a built in excuse, and maybe a fair one! But he has to show it now, and maybe he will. I'm just saying I havent seen it YET, and if it stays hows it's been, he will not be taking $11.6M worth of cap space next year.

None of that says trade him now, or that his story is over. But that's my bet, based on what's been before. The future is of course, unknown.

You keep elaborting on Kmet and a future trade which I dont think applies this year but you orignally said  midseason. There's  no situation where they consider that this year. Even if Loveland is ballilng, you are weaking the team for more cap space? Next year is a complete different set of circumstances. 

[Stinger226]

14 hours ago, Mongo3451 said:

That makes no sense at all.  If Braxton plays well, you pay him and trade away other dollars.  Nothing more valuable to a quarterback than good OT's.  There's no way to know if Ozzy and Kiran look good if Braxton doesn't let them on the field.

Playing well doesnt mean Pro Bowl. ( better than last year). You may be right, you dont want to let good players leave but I dont think its enough to convince the Bears that Braxton is a 20+  player. I hope Im wrong but  they drafted 2 yrs in a row someone to compete with Braxton because of his lack of progress. ( a third and second round pick.)

[adam]

22 hours ago, BearFan PHX said:

Im not saying to trade any of these players per se, but I do want to make one point.

A player is not more valuable because they are on the Bears roster already? It's Ok to trade good players if you get something more helpful in return. And then the new player will be on the roster, so you can be a fan of them then?

I think about what the Bears still need (and no roster is ever perfect) and I think about players out there that can help us.

we've been so terrible for so long, that as Bears fans we are used to wanting to keep anyone that can kinda play. But now, our roster is much fuller, and we are at the point where we will let good players go in trades. When you have a player that you know you arent goingt to pay big money to in the future, who is still a good player, it is better to get some trade value for them than to milk that last year out of them. Now I admit that compensatory picks do change that formula somewhat, so understanding that sometimes losing a player to free agency is a benefit in terms of compensatory picks, there will still be many cases where losing that last year of a players contract is worth what you get in trade.

Eventually, when you're winning, you have to realize that you will lose your players to free agency, and replace them through the draft. Any sustainable winning formula requires it. So gaining extra draft capital, even in the 3rd, 4th and 5th rounds, is necessary.

So I would say maybe be less attached to players just because they are on the roster when you follow a winning team, and think more about keeping the team going with new faces or you will age out and be back to mediocre where we lived for FAR too long.

I get it that that could be a challenge for a fan who wants to develop a relationship with the players, but that loyalty doesnt keep teams relevant. At some point, the question has to be asked whether we root for the team, or the players on the team. For me, it's the team.

I think the Bears are a year away from an all-in type of move and it feels like they will want to shape the roster more to Johnson's liking. 

and they also have to be 100% Caleb is the guy for Johnson's offense.

[ASHKUM BEAR]

17 hours ago, Mongo3451 said:

Context is everything.  My comments were strictly on his success or failure, based on what stinger said...

Right.  If he makes the jump, you have to consider resigning him. The other two LTs will sort themselves into roles if they are good.