Playing GM 26

[Stinger226]

Here's a complete look at the off season and will say I agree with some and not with others moves. I'll post my view after I study the draft more but this is a first look at the off season.

 

[Stinger226]

We have limited cap space, probably be around 5 to 6 mil, so the only way to get more is redo contracts or dump big salaries thru trade or cuts.

Offensively DJ,Kmet, Swift are the contractors that may be dealt. IMO they keep this offense together one more year since we are so close to being a high octane scoring team.

I think Swift has played his way into the lead role and won't leave on the last year of his contract. Maybe they extend him another yr to get the 26 Cap hit down. I think more likely to redo both DJ and Kmet for more money instead of dealing them. Depth has been important this year as every WR and Loveland has missed games or not 100 % been healthy. I think both are here one more year.

Defense has been terrible and I don't care who stays or who goes. Edmunds was an all star before injury and clearly affected him coming back. I think for sure he won't be here. If any player that are most entitled it's JJ. I don't think he's been 100% and hasn't played well since back . He signs a contract then before he comes back there was rumor he wanted more money. Those are the two contracts I would like to see gone for Cap space. Dayo and Jarrett haven't been worth it but contracts won't allow them to leave until 27. 

I think a priority should be bringing back Byard besides his play is the defense leader. Him and Edwards fill those roles. Terrell Smith will be back so I think we could afford to lose JJ. Sweat is a 2nd tier edge but until we replace him, he won't be leaving. I think Booker is getting better every week and will have a breakout season next year. Don't really care about who else stays or goes. Would like to see them bring back Wright, Gad-Johnson, and D  Jackson but trust BJ and Poles to figure that out.

 

[BearFan PHX]

The Bears 2026 sack leader is not currently on this roster.

[ASHKUM BEAR]

3 minutes ago, BearFan PHX said:

The Bears 2026 sack leader is not currently on this roster.

I think Montez will be that guy in 2026 unless they do something crazy and trade for one. If they don't trade for one, I see them beefing up the middle. Billings is gone, move Dexter over and draft two studs early. I only say this is because I dont see a stud DE being there pick 24-32 but good DTs. 

[BearFan PHX]

31 minutes ago, ASHKUM BEAR said:

I think Montez will be that guy in 2026 unless they do something crazy and trade for one. If they don't trade for one, I see them beefing up the middle. Billings is gone, move Dexter over and draft two studs early. I only say this is because I dont see a stud DE being there pick 24-32 but good DTs. 

if we get a stud 3T, then maybe they will be the sack leader. But i cant imagine them not doing something in free agency first. And that doesnt mean they wont draft the very same position, but we arent gonna take a championship ready offense and make them wait for rookies to develop pass rush moves for 3 years. i think theyll make some moves.

[ASHKUM BEAR]

22 minutes ago, BearFan PHX said:

if we get a stud 3T, then maybe they will be the sack leader. But i cant imagine them not doing something in free agency first. And that doesnt mean they wont draft the very same position, but we arent gonna take a championship ready offense and make them wait for rookies to develop pass rush moves for 3 years. i think theyll make some moves.

That is why I feel a major trade is comimg as much as some hate it. The window is now and might shut for 50 more years. I dont care about DJs 50-60 receptions if he can relieve cap and have trade value to bring in a guy up front.  They cannot stop the opponent and every game is a shootout.

Once you have a QB and line, the rest rise. 

[Stinger226]

7 hours ago, ASHKUM BEAR said:

That is why I feel a major trade is comimg as much as some hate it. The window is now and might shut for 50 more years. I dont care about DJs 50-60 receptions if he can relieve cap and have trade value to bring in a guy up front.  They cannot stop the opponent and every game is a shootout.

Once you have a QB and line, the rest rise. 

You could be right we have a bevy of ideas on here. Trade any D player, it's not good anyways.

SF is successful and are worst in the league in sacks. 

I just want us to get a run in the playoffs with a powerful offense, the modern day NFL.

Houston have 2, 14 and 13 sacks. Denver has one at 12.5, Rams have 2, 12.5 and  11 sacks. 

Denver leads the league in sacks with only 1 over 8 sacks. Only Houston and Denver are in the playoffs of the top 5 sacking teams in the league.

Only 4 of the top ten sack leaders are in the playoffs. 7 of the top 20 which includes Sweat.  

I think top coaches and top QBs are the most important aspects of teams that makes SB runs .  A good roster helps also. 

 

[Mongo3451]

8 hours ago, ASHKUM BEAR said:

That is why I feel a major trade is comimg as much as some hate it. The window is now and might shut for 50 more years. I dont care about DJs 50-60 receptions if he can relieve cap and have trade value to bring in a guy up front.  They cannot stop the opponent and every game is a shootout.

Once you have a QB and line, the rest rise. 

The window is just opening.  I'd rather it stay open for a decade.

[BearFan PHX]

1 hour ago, Mongo3451 said:

The window is just opening.  I'd rather it stay open for a decade.

I think Poles and Johnson want this too - they are aiming at sustainable roster turnover. Eventually that will mostly come from the draft.

But with Caleb on his rookie deal, now is the time to make a run, and acquiring a free agent pass rusher is a good idea. In fact, its a necessity.

We've seen what it takes to win without a pass rush - last minute heroics that have been exciting to watch, but we need to be able to pressure opposing QBs.

This offense is gonna cook with or without DJ Moore, but the defense is awful without a pass rush.

[BearFan PHX]

10 hours ago, ASHKUM BEAR said:

That is why I feel a major trade is comimg as much as some hate it. The window is now and might shut for 50 more years. I dont care about DJs 50-60 receptions if he can relieve cap and have trade value to bring in a guy up front.  They cannot stop the opponent and every game is a shootout.

Once you have a QB and line, the rest rise. 

I agree entirely.

[Stinger226]

9 hours ago, Mongo3451 said:

The window is just opening.  I'd rather it stay open for a decade.

If you add selective free agents and rely on the draft it will extend our good years.  If you have good drafts the next two years it continues the cycle. 

To get those trades, probably will be 2 firsts and a player. If it's just players go for it, it's the draft picks that bother me.

Almost every contract on the books has outs in 27. I think Poles redoes contracts and end Edmunds to get the money needed for next year to add someone just doubt if it's Garrett or Crosby.

We all know if the team wants one of those two, he will find away without weaking our team. IMO 

 

[ASHKUM BEAR]

15 hours ago, Stinger226 said:

You could be right we have a bevy of ideas on here. Trade any D player, it's not good anyways.

SF is successful and are worst in the league in sacks. 

I just want us to get a run in the playoffs with a powerful offense, the modern day NFL.

Houston have 2, 14 and 13 sacks. Denver has one at 12.5, Rams have 2, 12.5 and  11 sacks. 

Denver leads the league in sacks with only 1 over 8 sacks. Only Houston and Denver are in the playoffs of the top 5 sacking teams in the league.

Only 4 of the top ten sack leaders are in the playoffs. 7 of the top 20 which includes Sweat.  

I think top coaches and top QBs are the most important aspects of teams that makes SB runs .  A good roster helps also. 

 

Sacks are important, but pressures are the key and the Bears are last there.  I also want a front 4 that helps stop the run.  As much as Dayo is criticized, he was good against the run and is missed. 

DJ might be the hardest to move, but the most deserving for his pay. Luther Burden has emerged and looks like the next Amon St-Brown. Odunze would be at 1000 yds if not-for the injury. Where does DJ fit and does he want to stay knowing he is 3rd or 4th going forward?  I'd love to keep the squad intact but if they can make his cap a DT or DE that produces then we would be better. They really can't afford to pay him to be a 3rd target as insurance for injuries. 

[BearFan PHX]

I just checked out the Bears Cap, and there are more names that come up that get you more than $10M in cap savings if you can trade them. These will be pre June 1st trades, so Im taking the lesser of the numbers.

We can trade lots of people from our Defense if we replace them with good players, here's the cap space.

Montez Sweat trade........... $16.9M
Tremaine Edmunds trade.....$15M
Jaylon Johnson trade ..........$7M
Dayo Odeyingbo trade..........$11.5M
Grady Jarrett trade...............$11M

If you could trade all five, you'd have opened $62.4M in cap space, and you could replace the D line and more in free agency. Plus you'd end up with a bunch of draft picks to move up in the first round with.

Some of them you can just cut if there is no interest, again pre June 1st numbers, so the lower ones

Montez Sweat cut........... $6.9M.
Tremaine Edmunds cut.....$15M <------------- same as trade
Jaylon Johnson cut ..........$7M  <------------- same as trade
Dayo Odeyingbo cut........-$1.5M (no savings)
Grady Jarrett cut..............-$2M (no savings)

You can cut Edmunds and Sweat, and have $21.9M to spend on Sweats replacement

And of course the trades on offense that make financial sense are:

DJ Moore trade....................$16.5M
Jackson, Thuney and Dalman each get about $10M in space with a trade, but you'd have to be sure about Newman or something
Cole Kmet trade...................$8.4M

I think from all these data points, you can say:

Edmunds is gone one way or another

Jaylon Johnson, DJ Moore are also probably on the trading block

we would be thrilled to find a trade partner for, but probably wont be able to:
Montez Sweat, Grady Jarrett, Dayo Odeyingbo

You can start to see the different opportunities there are for Poles, and how he could move assets around to build up the defense.

https://overthecap.com/salary-cap/chicago-bears

[ASHKUM BEAR]

25 minutes ago, BearFan PHX said:

I just checked out the Bears Cap, and there are more names that come up that get you more than $10M in cap savings if you can trade them. These will be pre June 1st trades, so Im taking the lesser of the numbers.

We can trade lots of people from our Defense if we replace them with good players, here's the cap space.

Montez Sweat trade........... $16.9M
Tremaine Edmunds trade.....$15M
Jaylon Johnson trade ..........$7M
Dayo Odeyingbo trade..........$11.5M
Grady Jarrett trade...............$11M

If you could trade all five, you'd have opened $62.4M in cap space, and you could replace the D line and more in free agency. Plus you'd end up with a bunch of draft picks to move up in the first round with.

Some of them you can just cut if there is no interest, again pre June 1st numbers, so the lower ones

Montez Sweat cut........... $6.9M.
Tremaine Edmunds cut.....$15M <------------- same as trade
Jaylon Johnson cut ..........$7M  <------------- same as trade
Dayo Odeyingbo cut........-$1.5M (no savings)
Grady Jarrett cut..............-$2M (no savings)

You can cut Edmunds and Sweat, and have $21.9M to spend on Sweats replacement

And of course the trades on offense that make financial sense are:

DJ Moore trade....................$16.5M
Jackson, Thuney and Dalman each get about $10M in space with a trade, but you'd have to be sure about Newman or something
Cole Kmet trade...................$8.4M

I think from all these data points, you can say:

Edmunds is gone one way or another

Jaylon Johnson, DJ Moore are also probably on the trading block

we would be thrilled to find a trade partner for, but probably wont be able to:
Montez Sweat, Grady Jarrett, Dayo Odeyingbo

You can start to see the different opportunities there are for Poles, and how he could move assets around to build up the defense.

https://overthecap.com/salary-cap/chicago-bears

Jonah Jackson's contract was converted today. They moved 2.5 million to bonus which frees up some.

[BearFan PHX]

3 minutes ago, ASHKUM BEAR said:

Jonah Jackson's contract was converted today. They moved 2.5 million to bonus which frees up some.

thanks, I dunno if the over the cap numbers i was using included that or not. 

I really only put the three OL on the list because youd gain $10M trading them, not because i think we should. I just listed everyone with significant savings.

[ASHKUM BEAR]

20 minutes ago, BearFan PHX said:

thanks, I dunno if the over the cap numbers i was using included that or not. 

I really only put the three OL on the list because youd gain $10M trading them, not because i think we should. I just listed everyone with significant savings.

It's notable because Poles is using some cap this year to add more for next. He has his team working on adjustments to help maximize moves he knows are needed. 

[BearFan PHX]

11 minutes ago, ASHKUM BEAR said:

It's notable because Poles is using some cap this year to add more for next. He has his team working on adjustments to help maximize moves he knows are needed. 

I see your point.

I think, based on nothing, that Poles is going to be very active on the DL. I remember last year saying we would put 4 new faces on the OL, and there was some kind of fight about it being only two, and Tevin would stay and all sorts of stuff, and Poles has shown that he isnt afriad to really move things around, so Im looking forward to what he does.

Gonna be fun for sure.

[Stinger226]

1 hour ago, ASHKUM BEAR said:

Sacks are important, but pressures are the key and the Bears are last there.  I also want a front 4 that helps stop the run.  As much as Dayo is criticized, he was good against the run and is missed. 

DJ might be the hardest to move, but the most deserving for his pay. Luther Burden has emerged and looks like the next Amon St-Brown. Odunze would be at 1000 yds if not-for the injury. Where does DJ fit and does he want to stay knowing he is 3rd or 4th going forward?  I'd love to keep the squad intact but if they can make his cap a DT or DE that produces then we would be better. They really can't afford to pay him to be a 3rd target as insurance for injuries. 

Don't get me wrong, I would love to have Crosby or Garrett but I don't think they will lose the first round picks for the future. If they get rid of DJ and Kmet, I'm not going to whine about , I trust they know what their doing. I just don't think they are bringing in a free agent that cost the draft picks. There are several free agents available. I'll post them here later.

[ASHKUM BEAR]

10 minutes ago, Stinger226 said:

Don't get me wrong, I would love to have Crosby or Garrett but I don't think they will lose the first round picks for the future. If they get rid of DJ and Kmet, I'm not going to whine about , I trust they know what their doing. I just don't think they are bringing in a free agent that cost the draft picks. There are several free agents available. I'll post them here later.

I hate to lose picks but as late as we should be drafting and one pick would go to a DE prospect anyway, then we lose one 1st and DJ for a Crosby or Garrett.  Crosby has more years left, Garrett is a goat right now. Choose your poison. 

[Stinger226]

If I'm a GM, we are poised to make a playoff run with our current roster. We have a top 10 offense, I will find ways to tweak the team to make the defense better. I'm not mortgaging the the future for one player. 

I don't get the dismantle a team with 12 or more wins mentality. Cut Edmunds but you have to resign DJackon and will resign Byard.( Leader of the defense) . I would resign Duhshon Wright (won't be cheap) and try to trade JJ. Terrell Smith and Gordon will be back. Trading weapons and one of our best OLs in years for a pass rusher doesn't make sense to me. Fortunately Poles and BJ will figure it out.

.