The Bears came into today with starter needs at LT, DT, Edge, LB, and 2x Safety. 

At worst, they addressed LB and one Safety, have placeholders in at LT and DT, leaving Edge and the other Safety spots left to address. 

It feels like DT and Edge will be addressed in 2 of the top 3 picks. Safety by the 4th round. 

26 minutes ago, adam said:

The Bears came into today with starter needs at LT, DT, Edge, LB, and 2x Safety. 

At worst, they addressed LB and one Safety, have placeholders in at LT and DT, leaving Edge and the other Safety spots left to address. 

It feels like DT and Edge will be addressed in 2 of the top 3 picks. Safety by the 4th round. 

Agree it looks like that. If Brisker doesn't get any offers, you think they bring him back for cheap one year deal?

I keep hearing Dayo is working towards being back at training camp. For better or for worse, he's one of the DL positional players. Haven't heard anything about Turner but both could be figured in their plans. 

As I look at this list, none of the pundits predicted any of our signing except Braxton coming back. So much for inside information. 

I think Brisker will be back and DB is a huge position of need still. But overall pretty please with today’s outcome.

1 hour ago, Stinger226 said:

I keep hearing Dayo is working towards being back at training camp. For better or for worse, he's one of the DL positional players. Haven't heard anything about Turner but both could be figured in their plans. 

As much as the fans dislike Dayo, the Bears think and feel different about him. I think we will have a better idea on DAs defense once he has his players.  His scheme relies a lot on the back 7 for confusing and attacking the QB.  Devin Bush becomes one of those threats at Will and I wouldnt be shocked to see the Bears draft a Mike round 2 like Josiah Trotter or Jacob Rodriguez since a strong Mike helped Bush elevate his game this last season and Edward's may never be the same.

30 minutes ago, ASHKUM BEAR said:

As much as the fans dislike Dayo, the Bears think and feel different about him. I think we will have a better idea on DAs defense once he has his players.  His scheme relies a lot on the back 7 for confusing and attacking the QB.  Devin Bush becomes one of those threats at Will and I wouldnt be shocked to see the Bears draft a Mike round 2 like Josiah Trotter or Jacob Rodriguez since a strong Mike helped Bush elevate his game this last season and Edward's may never be the same.

I’d be fine if they’re going best available in the 2nd Rd and that turns out to be a good LB.  Bears = LB

After some time to digest our signings I’m happy overall.   The D got better up the middle, and younger and faster.   Bush can hunt around the LOS so no more watching LB waiting for the ball to come to them.   Demarco Jackson showed some of that as well once he settled in.  It’s Edward’s best trait too.  
 

Gallimore is a backup but what I’ve seen of him he’s much better than Billings.  We need a stud at DT to push everyone down one spot on the depth chart and this rotation will be better.  
 

Re-signing Braxton wasn’t a shock to me but it’s disappointing we’re not adding Decker.  On the flip side they’ve been watching him rehab and know better than I do how he was progressing before the season ended.  
 

I’m glad we didn’t spend big on DE.  I like Sweat and Booker as part of a rotation.  Booker needs snaps to continue to progress.   I’d be ok if we added Cam Jordan on a team friendly deal then a good rookie prospect in the first or second round.    I also wouldn’t mind if they brought back Joe Tryon Shoyinka, maybe they’re waiting on Cam first?  Seeing DomRob get $4mil on 1 Year deal was surprising.  JoeT should be able to get more.  

Riq Woolen is a name I like for the secondary. 

11 hours ago, AZ54 said:

After some time to digest our signings I’m happy overall.   The D got better up the middle, and younger and faster.   Bush can hunt around the LOS so no more watching LB waiting for the ball to come to them.   Demarco Jackson showed some of that as well once he settled in.  It’s Edward’s best trait too.  
 

Gallimore is a backup but what I’ve seen of him he’s much better than Billings.  We need a stud at DT to push everyone down one spot on the depth chart and this rotation will be better.  
 

Re-signing Braxton wasn’t a shock to me but it’s disappointing we’re not adding Decker.  On the flip side they’ve been watching him rehab and know better than I do how he was progressing before the season ended.  
 

I’m glad we didn’t spend big on DE.  I like Sweat and Booker as part of a rotation.  Booker needs snaps to continue to progress.   I’d be ok if we added Cam Jordan on a team friendly deal then a good rookie prospect in the first or second round.    I also wouldn’t mind if they brought back Joe Tryon Shoyinka, maybe they’re waiting on Cam first?  Seeing DomRob get $4mil on 1 Year deal was surprising.  JoeT should be able to get more.  

For a cheap add joe Tryon has some game. I suspect with all the money thrown around they address the DL spots in the draft. Turner and Dayo will be back and as much as they didn't contribute last year, they will count them in the mix. Dayo at 3T and Turner at DE 

1 hour ago, Stinger226 said:

Dayo at 3T and Turner at DE

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

Nashon Wright signed a deal with NYJ. 1 yr, 5.5 million. Bears could have afforded him.

I think the Bears saw what we saw - a bunch of interceptions, but a lot of blown coverages too.

Yep - perfectly good with this move.  Same with CJGJ - no desire to bring him back either. Both were very flawed players, but I do appreciate the big plays Wright made.  Also - just seeing the deal he got, shows you the league saw the same thing on tape.  I do wish Wright all the best though.  

10 minutes ago, BearFan PHX said:

I think the Bears saw what we saw - a bunch of interceptions, but a lot of blown coverages too.

Correct.  Very frustrating when you know a defensive series only ends one of two ways:  they score or we get a turnover.  

22 minutes ago, AZ54 said:

Correct.  Very frustrating when you know a defensive series only ends one of two ways:  they score or we get a turnover.  

ha! I didnt think of it that way, but youre right.

42 minutes ago, BearFan PHX said:

I think the Bears saw what we saw - a bunch of interceptions, but a lot of blown coverages too.

Say what?  

Haha, yes he had a rough start but made the most of it. 5.5 million can go a long ways so happy he made some money

Who?  

4 minutes ago, Alaskan Grizzly said:

Who?  

Looks like a solid depth addition to replace Wright.  Plays CB, S, and Nickle

 

6 minutes ago, ASHKUM BEAR said:

Looks like a solid depth addition to replace Wright.  Plays CB, S, and Nickle

 

Positives are what you listed, that he may replace both Wright and Owens and that he will work with Al Harris.  Negatives are that he doesn’t ’fit the mold that Harris and Allen like’ and that he’s not been selected to a Pro Bowl (like Wright was)….for whatever that’s worth.  

I saw a post about free agents, only 5% make the Pro Bowl on their new team. Free agency is mainly used to get quality starters, fill holes, and improve depth. Trades and drafting and developing are the ways to get your true blue chippers. Those guys rarely hit the market, they are resigned or traded. 

Again..who?  

21 minutes ago, adam said:

only 5% make the Pro Bowl on their new team.

Honestly the Pro Bowl selections are more of a popularity contest than they are on pure talent.  Ergo: a player like Nashon Wright had one decent year (out of six) because he made a splash that one year.   Good for him on capitalizing on that but will he be HOF caliber going forward?  Probably not.  
 

Retrospectively there is something to be said if Allen (and Al Harris) are the ones to get credit for that Pro Bowl performance.  Good for us.  

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. 

45 minutes ago, adam said:

I saw a post about free agents, only 5% make the Pro Bowl on their new team. Free agency is mainly used to get quality starters, fill holes, and improve depth. Trades and drafting and developing are the ways to get your true blue chippers. Those guys rarely hit the market, they are resigned or traded. 

well said.

Every year teams sign $5M to $10M a year players to plug holes before the draft so you dont have to reach for positions and can take close to BPA.

Then some of those players will end up playing the same position as the $5M/yr free agent, and can push them to start during camp or during the year.

the $20M+ guys are the supposed impact players, and some are, others are retreads, but you always overpay for them. That doesnt mean they arent worth paying sometimes, but it depends on a lot of things including whether your SB window is open, or if you have tons of cap room.

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.