Free agency news

[Stinger226]

Jonathan Allen is being released with a lot of money in his pocket. Would he play for 2 years at 16 mil?

[Stinger226]

As much as lots of fans want us to acquire the top players in the league, I think the bears will bargain shop free agents.

I think Byard is a given to bring back, but the other safety may be a TJ Edwards type of signing. Same for S. Those two positions can find a lot of value in FAgency. 

I suspect we go after  one (tier 2) edge or DT for around 9 to 10 mil. 

Poles could surprise us with another trade but IMO it's not a big money guy.

If some of the older vets still playing may want to get on a SB contender that we will be. Those signing won't be until later in free agency. Mack, Cam Jordan.

Poles has brought in TJ Edwards, Billings, D Jackson, Gardener-Johnson Zacchus all on cheap money that has made contributions. I suspect more of the same.

[Stinger226]

Tyler lindenbaum is considered one of the best centers in the league. I've been looking at his stats 5 th ranked C by pff. 5 penalties and 2 sacks but 26 pressure's. Is that worth 20+ mil a year? Is he over hyped? We can get a 8-10 mil C with better stats. 

[Stinger226]

Tyler Baidarz signed a 30 mil deal with the Chargers and Rams resigned Curl the safety. Pieces are starting to fall.

Our signing will probably not be the first few days of FAgency. Maybe our own FAs.

[adam]

44 minutes ago, Stinger226 said:

Tyler Baidarz signed a 30 mil deal with the Chargers and Rams resigned Curl the safety. Pieces are starting to fall.

Our signing will probably not be the first few days of FAgency. Maybe our own FAs.

Considering he is at the same pay range as Dalman, I don't know if the Bears wanted to pay a lesser version of Dalman the same amount of money. That is always a losing proposition. 

[Bears4Ever_34]

I really hope the Bears didn't clear up over 30 million in cap space to not make some sort of splash signing/trade. They just lost 3 quality starters this week. If they lose out on Lindenbaum or Crosby, it's going to put immense pressure on Ryan Poles to nail the draft again to replace a lot of these guys. They still need 2 safeties on top of a C, LT, and pass rusher—and now WR3. 

[Mongo3451]

39 minutes ago, Bears4Ever_34 said:

They still need 2 safeties on top of a C, LT, and pass rusher—and now WR3. 

Thus the 30 mil.  I wish for Hendrickson, at the most.  Crosby and Linderbaum are way too expensive, IMO.

[DABEARSDABOMB]

44 minutes ago, Bears4Ever_34 said:

I really hope the Bears didn't clear up over 30 million in cap space to not make some sort of splash signing/trade. They just lost 3 quality starters this week. If they lose out on Lindenbaum or Crosby, it's going to put immense pressure on Ryan Poles to nail the draft again to replace a lot of these guys. They still need 2 safeties on top of a C, LT, and pass rusher—and now WR3. 

It may not be sexy - but - if they nail the draft I think that is a big win and it is important. I also think we have to recognize the goal is to build a long-term winner.  Getting Crosby and using a bunch of assets helps the team in the short - but I don't know that it puts them over the top and in 2 years+ I think it actually puts them behind the 8 ball.  

It goes back to - they need to take a balanced approach to team building.  I think they need to identify and find young ascending talent, especially on the defensive front. But they also have to identify some more young and ascending talent on the oline.  The cap situation is very different now - which is great - gives them flexibility - but quite frankly - they swung big on Jarrett and Ayo - and we aren't getting that value either - but thankfully they can walk away from that in a year.

The piece that excites me - if the team uses this year to add more young talent - than you look at where they are a year from now - they have a ton of cap flexibility (this moves didn't just clear cap space now - they create even more flexibility a year from now - ie Moore saved $16M this year but I believe $25M next year).  We can get too worked up on the quick fixes - and I'm okay if they supplement that with a targeted add or 2 - but I'm also okay if the primary focus is on multiplying draft picks and focusing on wave 2 of free agency (and even monitoring the trade front). Feels like with where the franchise is - jumping out of the gate (unless they have deemed Lindy or Tray or a safety) must haves - that at some point there will be less money and some quality guys out there and you can be more cap prudent getting those players (knowing the goal has to still be finding impact players via the draft).  

Note: I support going all in for the Ravens center - purely because when Thuney starts to degrade maybe you have the young C, Wright as your higher paid guys whlie you have some other younger talent hopefully ascending around the line.  But again - that requires investment's in the trenches.  

[ASHKUM BEAR]

5 minutes ago, Mongo3451 said:

Thus the 30 mil.  I wish for Hendrickson, at the most.  Crosby and Linderbaum are way too expensive, IMO.

30 mil wont last long giving one player 20 or more. Poles has to be smart and spread that out as wisely as possible. I would like Byard back for leadership and continuity.  They need another DT even if they draft 2, a LB, then a vet at C and maybe LT, depending what they do at pick 25.  

Injuries and retirement put a damper on doing any luxury moves this offseason.  Edge would be a luxury right now w Sweat, Dayo, Booker, and Turner. 

[AZ54]

1 hour ago, DABEARSDABOMB said:

It may not be sexy - but - if they nail the draft I think that is a big win and it is important. I also think we have to recognize the goal is to build a long-term winner.  Getting Crosby and using a bunch of assets helps the team in the short - but I don't know that it puts them over the top and in 2 years+ I think it actually puts them behind the 8 ball.  

It goes back to - they need to take a balanced approach to team building.  I think they need to identify and find young ascending talent, especially on the defensive front. But they also have to identify some more young and ascending talent on the oline.  The cap situation is very different now - which is great - gives them flexibility - but quite frankly - they swung big on Jarrett and Ayo - and we aren't getting that value either - but thankfully they can walk away from that in a year.

The piece that excites me - if the team uses this year to add more young talent - than you look at where they are a year from now - they have a ton of cap flexibility (this moves didn't just clear cap space now - they create even more flexibility a year from now - ie Moore saved $16M this year but I believe $25M next year).  We can get too worked up on the quick fixes - and I'm okay if they supplement that with a targeted add or 2 - but I'm also okay if the primary focus is on multiplying draft picks and focusing on wave 2 of free agency (and even monitoring the trade front). Feels like with where the franchise is - jumping out of the gate (unless they have deemed Lindy or Tray or a safety) must haves - that at some point there will be less money and some quality guys out there and you can be more cap prudent getting those players (knowing the goal has to still be finding impact players via the draft).  

Note: I support going all in for the Ravens center - purely because when Thuney starts to degrade maybe you have the young C, Wright as your higher paid guys whlie you have some other younger talent hopefully ascending around the line.  But again - that requires investment's in the trenches.  

I also prefer the long term approach versus going after the big name FA this year.  If this year works out well and we continue to improve then we can look at finding that one missing piece next year.  

[adam]

1 hour ago, ASHKUM BEAR said:

30 mil wont last long giving one player 20 or more. Poles has to be smart and spread that out as wisely as possible. I would like Byard back for leadership and continuity.  They need another DT even if they draft 2, a LB, then a vet at C and maybe LT, depending what they do at pick 25.  

Injuries and retirement put a damper on doing any luxury moves this offseason.  Edge would be a luxury right now w Sweat, Dayo, Booker, and Turner. 

They can restructure other deals to open up more cap if something like that gets done. So I am not too worried about what they have in cap knowing they can work the numbers. 

[adam]

4 minutes ago, AZ54 said:

I also prefer the long term approach versus going after the big name FA this year.  If this year works out well and we continue to improve then we can look at finding that one missing piece next year.  

I agree, but on the flip side. If the Bears had Crosby vs <insert random Edge player> across from Sweat all year, they probably win 2 more games, and beat LAR. At that point you are in the NFCC, so there is not much higher to go. 

[ASHKUM BEAR]

6 minutes ago, adam said:

They can restructure other deals to open up more cap if something like that gets done. So I am not too worried about what they have in cap knowing they can work the numbers. 

True, but who's contract do you kick down the road? Do you trust Gordon, who was just paid, disappeared.  JJ, can he get back to his form.  Maybe Sweat, he looked better late this year.  Kmet can create 4-5 m which I'm for extending.  Have to be careful doing so, but it can bring more.

[DABEARSDABOMB]

14 minutes ago, adam said:

I agree, but on the flip side. If the Bears had Crosby vs <insert random Edge player> across from Sweat all year, they probably win 2 more games, and beat LAR. At that point you are in the NFCC, so there is not much higher to go. 

Technically - Crosby was hurt. I'm not saying he gets shut down - but I don't know that I go as far as to say that they win the game with Crosby and I don't think they win the super bowl either.  I don't think Crosby puts us over the top. Quite frankly the Bears aren't yet 1 player away. They need to see more growth on offense and they have a lot of work to do on the defensive side of the ball.  

[adam]

3 minutes ago, DABEARSDABOMB said:

Technically - Crosby was hurt. I'm not saying he gets shut down - but I don't know that I go as far as to say that they win the game with Crosby and I don't think they win the super bowl either.  I don't think Crosby puts us over the top. Quite frankly the Bears aren't yet 1 player away. They need to see more growth on offense and they have a lot of work to do on the defensive side of the ball.  

That is true, I was thinking more hypothetically, if the Bears had a better pass rush, they would have been significantly better last year.

For this year, I don't know if you can wait until after the offense is "great" though. I am not saying that means Crosby, but I wouldn't complain if they did it, as long as they didn't give up too much.

[DABEARSDABOMB]

16 minutes ago, adam said:

That is true, I was thinking more hypothetically, if the Bears had a better pass rush, they would have been significantly better last year.

For this year, I don't know if you can wait until after the offense is "great" though. I am not saying that means Crosby, but I wouldn't complain if they did it, as long as they didn't give up too much.

In my mind - the goal is to win superbowls.  I'm not saying to wait - I'm saying focus on building foundational blocks today vs. pretending we are near final state and should give up 2 high draft picks plus major cap space on a strong player who is about to be on the back-end of their career.  I just don't like the strategy - at all.  The Bears aren't in a spot where they need to go "all-in".  They are a year ahead of where they thought they would be with Ben - but they still have a lot of foundational work that needs to be done - don't loose focus of that for the wrong reasons.

If Crosby was 25 or 26, I would have a different answer for this.  If they could get Crosby for #25 or a 2nd rounder - same thing, zero problem there - cause I can see how you can make everything fit into a broader picture.  

[Mongo3451]

37 minutes ago, DABEARSDABOMB said:

Technically - Crosby was hurt. I'm not saying he gets shut down - but I don't know that I go as far as to say that they win the game with Crosby and I don't think they win the super bowl either.  I don't think Crosby puts us over the top. Quite frankly the Bears aren't yet 1 player away. They need to see more growth on offense and they have a lot of work to do on the defensive side of the ball.  

Keep building until you have to replace a starter that could start for sometime else...

[ASHKUM BEAR]

11 minutes ago, DABEARSDABOMB said:

Technically - Crosby was hurt. I'm not saying he gets shut down - but I don't know that I go as far as to say that they win the game with Crosby and I don't think they win the super bowl either.  I don't think Crosby puts us over the top. Quite frankly the Bears aren't yet 1 player away. They need to see more growth on offense and they have a lot of work to do on the defensive side of the ball.  

We were very lucky to have all those late game heroics and tend to feel like we are great. The Bears are getting there and like you said are not one player away. Detroit took it to us, GB should have, and Minny gave us a run.  If they bring in Crosby, great, but they need more imo.

[Stinger226]

I keep hearing we have 34 mil in Cap space right now. Several have reported 44 mil but the math is against them. 

Take out the rookie pool and operating capital and that leaves us 13 mil. How do we sign Tyler and a pass rusher with that amount of money? 

[BearFan PHX]

Dalman = $10M (and possibly $14M if we can get some signi9ng bonus back)
Edmunds = $15M
Moore = $16.5M

just those three moves opened $41.5M (possibly $45.5M)

That's before some other expected moves that should bring in more space, and restructures etc.

We have plenty of cap room if we need it.

Maybe Linderbaum is too expensive, but he is probably the best center in football despite PFF nonsense. Just watch the film. He is truly incredible.

Also, Detroit LT Taylor Decker has asked to be released and the Lions will allow it. Maybe reunited with Ben Johnson? He's also expensive though, but he is 32 years old, so I suspect he might just want a ring and be willing to play for less.

We do have options!

[ASHKUM BEAR]

1 hour ago, BearFan PHX said:

Dalman = $10M (and possibly $14M if we can get some signi9ng bonus back)
Edmunds = $15M
Moore = $16.5M

just those three moves opened $41.5M (possibly $45.5M)

That's before some other expected moves that should bring in more space, and restructures etc.

We have plenty of cap room if we need it.

Maybe Linderbaum is too expensive, but he is probably the best center in football despite PFF nonsense. Just watch the film. He is truly incredible.

Also, Detroit LT Taylor Decker has asked to be released and the Lions will allow it. Maybe reunited with Ben Johnson? He's also expensive though, but he is 32 years old, so I suspect he might just want a ring and be willing to play for less.

We do have options!

Old Greg Gabriel seems to think Trapilo misses half the season and the Bears wont address that need as highly. If the Bears feel that way also, they can get a Linderbaum at C and maybe draft a 3rd rd or after LT prospect that can play if needed.  Use the first and 2 seconds on 2 DTs and S, or a LB instead of 2 DT. 

[BearFan PHX]

56 minutes ago, ASHKUM BEAR said:

Old Greg Gabriel seems to think Trapilo misses half the season and the Bears wont address that need as highly. If the Bears feel that way also, they can get a Linderbaum at C and maybe draft a 3rd rd or after prospect that can play if needed.  Use the first and 2 seconds on 2 DTs and S, or a LB instead of 2 DT. 

That does make sense. The LT coming out of Detroit has a year left in him, and he and Johnson have familiarity. I feel like he might be willing to play cheaper for a ring? He had injuries tho. Johnson will know what he has left either way.

I'd love to get Crosby too, but he is gonna be so expensive in cap AND picks. There are other Edge rushers too. And DTs both in free agency and the draft. So I can see us having options, including Crosby.

But damn I would love to have Linderbaum. He's incredible.

[Mongo3451]

Taylor Decker didn't want to come off of his 21m cap hit for the Lions.  It would seem he'd want more than he's worth to us.  

We have Theo and Kiran under contract.  Why not sign Braxton cheap and roll with the guys we already have?  If all fails, we have Thuney.  I'd rather spend money on Linderbaum than a starting caliber left tackle, if we're playing the long game.  

It would take some work signing/affording Tyler, especially when Wright needs extended.

On D, Byard is on the fence with me.  His lack of speed really got exposed last year.  I'd keep him at a team friendly price, but we've got to get younger/faster.

[DABEARSDABOMB]

I think I'm getting my arms around going big on a center. Ensure our interior and oline has a few difference maker(s).  Right now this would mean we had 3 - Thuney, Wright, and Lindy.  1-2 years from now - it would shift to 2 as Thuney will age (could even be this year).  If you get Lindy, than I personally would also say go for Decker on a 1yr bridge deal - but with us upgrading the interior (Lindy > Dalman), I would be perfectly fine if instead we opted for a competition from who we have as well.  

Draft D all the way - unless you have a high grade on an LT option. 

Find a few starters on D as part of the 2nd wave of free agency. This could include bringing back 1 of Byard/Brisker.  

Assess FA running back / ability to get younger + pick up draft asset (ie if you think you can get 2 years younger and spend similar to Swift money on a FA - get them and flip Swift for a low round pick)

 

Note: The above helps strengthen foundations across the team while enabling a ton of flexibility the following year - where the Bears would have ample cap space (more benefit from Moore trade, plus Ayo/Jarrett flexibility).  Probably looking at moving JJ (hopefully after he's rebuilt his value) at that time too - as the team can be a bit more aggressive given more cap space + assets (and hopefully another good draft building / creating a stronger ascending foundation).