Free agency news

[Stinger226]

I would say we have only signed 2 starters so far unless you consider Jackson a starter as the third LB.

Bush and Bryant. 

7 hours ago, Mongo3451 said:

Turner 3T, Dayo DE.  Just clarifying...

What I'm saying is I think that's where they will end up. Turner was seeing DE snaps before the injury and Dayo plays more effectively inside as stated by some pundits. I think both will be looked at movable players.

[AZ54]

3 hours ago, Stinger226 said:

We need bodies so these signings are popping up that may not make the final roster. Lewis was signed for 2 years and will take the Gardner- Johnson role of playing several positions. 

I think that’s a good assessment.  Just watching his highlights he’s got some good attributes and he looks quicker and faster that CJGJ. 

[Alaskan Grizzly]

3 hours ago, BearFan PHX said:

But mostly, like you said, free agents generally arent the people to come fix your team, but to fill holes so you can draft more freely.

Except maybe someone like Trey Hendrickson, Devin Bush and Coby Bryant.  All positions of need who will contribute right away.  
 

If you’re differentiating that a majority of FAs are as you suggest, to “fill holes” then maybe.  Same goes for drafted players…most of the time.  If you happen to draft (let’s say) 10 players one year, maybe only 3 will contribute (right away) where the others might stick around and ‘fill holes’ until the next draft.  

[BearFan PHX]

57 minutes ago, Alaskan Grizzly said:

Except maybe someone like Trey Hendrickson, Devin Bush and Coby Bryant.  All positions of need who will contribute right away.  
 

If you’re differentiating that a majority of FAs are as you suggest, to “fill holes” then maybe.  Same goes for drafted players…most of the time.  If you happen to draft (let’s say) 10 players one year, maybe only 3 will contribute (right away) where the others might stick around and ‘fill holes’ until the next draft.  

Right i totally agree. That's why I said free agents who make over, say $15M are a different thing than the hole fillers.

[Stinger226]

All drafts aren't judged just by the first year contributions. We still have potential starters in Turner, Newman, or rotational contribters. 

Teams like NE were good for a long time by good overall drafts that keep finding value every year without them necessarily being stars.

[ASHKUM BEAR]

3 hours ago, Stinger226 said:

I would say we have only signed 2 starters so far unless you consider Jackson a starter as the third LB.

Bush and Bryant. 

I would count Jackson.  He will see more snaps than Edward's imo.  Edward's will be out in nickle. 

[Alaskan Grizzly]

17 minutes ago, ASHKUM BEAR said:

I would count Jackson.  He will see more snaps than Edward's imo.  Edward's will be out in nickle. 

From my understanding Jackson was brought back to bridge the anticipated absence of Edwards while he still recuperates.  I agree that Jackson will more than likely get more snaps by the end of the season. 

[Stinger226]

45 minutes ago, Alaskan Grizzly said:

From my understanding Jackson was brought back to bridge the anticipated absence of Edwards while he still recuperates.  I agree that Jackson will more than likely get more snaps by the end of the season. 

I hope they phrase out Edwards and Jackson ends up with more snaps. DA likes speed and Edwards has been good but doesn't have the speed. All 3 will get plenty of snaps as we deal with injuries.

[Alaskan Grizzly]

7 hours ago, Stinger226 said:

I hope they phrase out Edwards and Jackson ends up with more snaps. DA likes speed and Edwards has been good but doesn't have the speed. All 3 will get plenty of snaps as we deal with injuries.

I’ve been a huge fan of Edwards’ as he’s been an unsung hero on defense.  About a year ago I was discussing his stats with someone and found that he rivaled Lance Briggs on most of them.  I fear this injury could be a crippling blow for him. 

[Mongo3451]

13 hours ago, Stinger226 said:

I would say we have only signed 2 starters so far unless you consider Jackson a starter as the third LB.

Bush and Bryant. 

What I'm saying is I think that's where they will end up. Turner was seeing DE snaps before the injury and Dayo plays more effectively inside as stated by some pundits. I think both will be looked at movable players.

C'mon man.  Dayo is a DE, unless in a NASCAR package and Turner was drafted to be a 3T that can move outside on run downs.  Completely situational.

[Stinger226]

5 hours ago, Mongo3451 said:

C'mon man.  Dayo is a DE, unless in a NASCAR package and Turner was drafted to be a 3T that can move outside on run downs.  Completely situational.

What's nice about discussions is we get to see what happens in real time. 

[Alaskan Grizzly]

Former 1st round pick OT coming to Chicago.  10th overall pick in 2020 after playing at Alabama. 

[AZ54]

This is very welcome news.   
 

https://www.nfl.com/prospects/jedrick-wills/32005749-4c62-6320-8b63-20c37d057bf8

[BearFan PHX]

He's got tools, but he was awful in the NFL. Maybe Dan Roushar can reclaim him, so this is a smart move for sure, but I wouldnt assume we will get anything out of it. Call it a cheap lottery ticket.

[dawhizz]

Seems like with three at least potential in-house LT options (Wills, Braxton, and Kiran) and Ozzy hopefully coming back next year, I very much doubt LT is in play in the first for the Bears. 

[Mongo3451]

58 minutes ago, Stinger226 said:

What's nice about discussions is we get to see what happens in real time. 

Don't use reverse psychology on me...🤪🍻

[BearFan PHX]

22 minutes ago, dawhizz said:

Seems like with three at least potential in-house LT options (Wills, Braxton, and Kiran) and Ozzy hopefully coming back next year, I very much doubt LT is in play in the first for the Bears. 

Im not really counting Willis as an option per se. i think he's more like a pet project for Roushar. Ive seen some atrocious film on this guy, but he was great in college and has all the tools.

If the right LT dropped to us at the right time in the draft, none of them stop us from taking them.

That said, I fully expect the 25th pick to either trade down or take someone on the DL.

[DABEARSDABOMB]

Test

[ASHKUM BEAR]

Free agency recap:

Kentavius Street DL - 1 yr

Cam Lewis DB - 2 yr

Braxton Jones LT- 1 yr

Kalif Raymond WR/KR - 1 yr

Neville Gallimore DL - 2 yr

Devin Bush LB - 3 yr

Cobe Bryant DB - 3 yr

Jedrick Willis LT- 1 yr

Jordan McFadden OG - 1 yr

Case Keenum QB -2 yr

DeMarco Jackson LB - 2 yr

Elijah Hicks DB - 1 yr

Daniel Hardy DL - 2 yr

 

[ASHKUM BEAR]

Looking at the current roster after the signings, I see more work needed at:

Safety- starter needed.  This is the only position as of today with a high need.

DT- upgrade/depth - they have Jarrett, Dexter, Gallimore, Street.  I see Turners physique as another DT more than DE.

Finding at least one prospect that can push for a starting job with Jarrett and Dexter both possibly gone after 2026. Turners health and progress could mean 2 are needed. 

DE - upgrade/depth- Montez/ Dayo/ Booker are a pretty decent rotation but finding another prospect to push these guys for production/sacks is needed.

WR - depth - with Moore and Zacheous gone, the Bears need another body. That is a lot of snaps to replace. Walker will see a lot but another talent will be needed

LT- Wildcard - the Bears have bodies. Trapilo, Jones, Willis, Benedet, Armagadjie to audition.  The draft doesnt have many true LT prospect but Monroe Freeling who will be long gone. I think the Bears go with the 5 guys.

C- depth - Bradberry could turn out good, he fits the scheme but the Bears would be smart to get another prospect.  I like Newman, but feel he will be best to learn guard.

RB- depth - Swift and Monongai are a nice tandem, but the Bears might surprise us if the right player is available to draft and develop as SwiftKey replacement. 

I am sure there are other positions with needs or upgrades but Safety and DT to me are the biggest.

 

[Mongo3451]

51 minutes ago, ASHKUM BEAR said:

Looking at the current roster after the signings, I see more work needed at:

Safety- starter needed.  This is the only position as of today with a high need.

DT- upgrade/depth - they have Jarrett, Dexter, Gallimore, Street.  I see Turners physique as another DT more than DE.

Finding at least one prospect that can push for a starting job with Jarrett and Dexter both possibly gone after 2026. Turners health and progress could mean 2 are needed. 

DE - upgrade/depth- Montez/ Dayo/ Booker are a pretty decent rotation but finding another prospect to push these guys for production/sacks is needed.

WR - depth - with Moore and Zacheous gone, the Bears need another body. That is a lot of snaps to replace. Walker will see a lot but another talent will be needed

LT- Wildcard - the Bears have bodies. Trapilo, Jones, Willis, Benedet, Armagadjie to audition.  The draft doesnt have many true LT prospect but Monroe Freeling who will be long gone. I think the Bears go with the 5 guys.

C- depth - Bradberry could turn out good, he fits the scheme but the Bears would be smart to get another prospect.  I like Newman, but feel he will be best to learn guard.

RB- depth - Swift and Monongai are a nice tandem, but the Bears might surprise us if the right player is available to draft and develop as SwiftKey replacement. 

I am sure there are other positions with needs or upgrades but Safety and DT to me are the biggest.

 

This is a tremendous draft for safeties.  Especially early.

[ASHKUM BEAR]

41 minutes ago, Mongo3451 said:

This is a tremendous draft for safeties.  Especially early.

Im not a big fan going round 1, but am intrigued with the kid from Oregon and if they take him round 1, I wouldnt whine.

In a way, we will get a few additional players with Shemar Turner, Zah Frazier (6'3 w 4.35 speed), and Hypollite.  They all needed time, so hoping they can shine.  Draft safety, DT, and DE first 2 rounds and the "Bears did nothing" might change from all the FA whiners on socials. Round 3 maybe a Center.  

[Stinger226]

Everyone likes big names when we go free agency but Poles rarely does that. He hits and misses. Anyone they gave three years to are expected to make big contributions, 2 yrs are rotational and one year, hits and misses.

Bush and Bryant were there big grabs and they bring speed. There are a lot of our resignings I thought would happen but injury concerns or age affected that.

I think they offered a few contracts at their price to Byard and Gardner- Johnson and maybe Brisker but they went for more money. Brisker probably didn't like the one yr offer and wouldn't come back. 

As for safety, we have Bryant, Hicks and Cam Lewis can play multi positions but maybe Terrell Smith gets moved to S. I saw his draft profile and it was suggested that's his pro position.

If they draft a CB in the first 5 rounds that may suggest that move.

[Stinger226]

We have 10 CBs signed if you count Cam Lewis as a CB. I don't think we have a large concern at that position. Lewis and maybe Terrell Smith play safety and then maybe we add to the room. Even jaylon Jones and Blackwell has had meaningful snaps at CB before. 

[AZ54]

3 hours ago, ASHKUM BEAR said:

Looking at the current roster after the signings, I see more work needed at:

Safety- starter needed.  This is the only position as of today with a high need.

DT- upgrade/depth - they have Jarrett, Dexter, Gallimore, Street.  I see Turners physique as another DT more than DE.

Finding at least one prospect that can push for a starting job with Jarrett and Dexter both possibly gone after 2026. Turners health and progress could mean 2 are needed. 

DE - upgrade/depth- Montez/ Dayo/ Booker are a pretty decent rotation but finding another prospect to push these guys for production/sacks is needed.

WR - depth - with Moore and Zacheous gone, the Bears need another body. That is a lot of snaps to replace. Walker will see a lot but another talent will be needed

LT- Wildcard - the Bears have bodies. Trapilo, Jones, Willis, Benedet, Armagadjie to audition.  The draft doesnt have many true LT prospect but Monroe Freeling who will be long gone. I think the Bears go with the 5 guys.

C- depth - Bradberry could turn out good, he fits the scheme but the Bears would be smart to get another prospect.  I like Newman, but feel he will be best to learn guard.

RB- depth - Swift and Monongai are a nice tandem, but the Bears might surprise us if the right player is available to draft and develop as SwiftKey replacement. 

I am sure there are other positions with needs or upgrades but Safety and DT to me are the biggest.

 

DT:  I agree…what they think of Turner’s future position and future promise could decide where they go in Rd 1 (DE/DT). 

Safety needs a clear starter drafted.  I don’t think we should get out of Rd 2 without taking one.  

WR depth:  Don’t sleep on Kalif Raymond.  I think he’s an upgrade over OZ but at the same time is not on par with DJ.  However, watching his highlights he did a lot of the same short stuff for Detroit that DJ did for us last year.  Likewise he caught a lot of passes similar to what we saw OZ do last year.  Walker will need to step up his game and fill in the intermediate and deep routes.  Hopefully Walker continues to perform well in the redzone as that could the biggest area we miss DJ experience.  If they choose to add one more on Day 3 or just add one more vet FA after the draft but I think we might already have some guys in Maurice Alexander or JP Richardson who can contribute as 5th WRs.  At least Ben was complimentary of those guys late last yeear.   

LT:  don’t see us fixing that via the draft.  Anyone with legit LT skills is likely gone.  Otherwise we’re going to draft a backup-low end starter OT talent.   Yet we have a few of those options already in house.  Time to rely on Roushar to get one ‘em right.  

Center:  Has to be a draft pick here likely by Rd 4.  They read the FA market correctly and went with a cheaper viable option which allowed us to address greater needs like S with a big contract.  Bradbury is good enough that this isn’t must have in the draft.  Again, deep draft at OC don’t over spend in FA. Hopefully someone good that can be our long term solution falls our way.  

RB:   Not looking to do anything earlier than Day 3 here and in that context  I like Kaytron Allen.  There’s no deep speed flashiness like Mike Washington has but he’s just productive in the same way that Monangai is productive.   I have to do more scouting of the Day 3 prospects to see if there is one who can add the sizzle to the offense without being a complete liability elsewhere (i.e passing game).