This injury list and subsequent contract issue make me think Jacas wasn’t even on our board. I’d bet the contract issue is over guarantees

“Jacas’ recent health issues have not been limited to his knee. A hamstring injury prevented Jacas from participating at the Combine in February or Illinois’ pro day in March. There are also concerns that a labral tear in Jacas’ shoulder could require medical attention down the line.”

Pro Football Rumors

Mike Vrabel Discusses Unsigned 2nd-Rounder Gabe Jacas

Mike Vrabel is "positive" the Patriots will sign second-rounder Gabe Jacas, but it is not clear when it will happen. More at Pro Football Rumors.

2 hours ago, AZ54 said:

This injury list and subsequent contract issue make me think Jacas wasn’t even on our board. I’d bet the contract issue is over guarantees

For sure, there's almost nothing else you CAN fight over. Everything else is slotted.

As for injuries, sounds like he's pretty torn up. I liked him a lot on tape, so I wouldn't be surprised if he was devalued on our board for that. Then again, the players we took were pretty strong picks, and maybe just on ability alone they edged (lol) out Jacas just on the board as players.

We still need a real pass rusher though.

Once the injury stuff popped up, there is no way you take him that early. The Bears already have enough young guys injured or who missed time last year, they didn't need another high risk injury guy.

I didn't see him as an option, so sorry for his issues. It sucks for a young man to deal with this ...

I like him but as a novice draft guy, there is information we dont always get access too that changes a pick. Poles has had his share of acquiring people that get injured, clearly you dont want to draft one high in the draft , preinjury.

On 7/24/2026 at 2:49 PM, AZ54 said:

This injury list and subsequent contract issue make me think Jacas wasn’t even on our board. I’d bet the contract issue is over guarantees

“Jacas’ recent health issues have not been limited to his knee. A hamstring injury prevented Jacas from participating at the Combine in February or Illinois’ pro day in March. There are also concerns that a labral tear in Jacas’ shoulder could require medical attention down the line.”

Pro Football Rumors

Mike Vrabel Discusses Unsigned 2nd-Rounder Gabe Jacas

Mike Vrabel is "positive" the Patriots will sign second-rounder Gabe Jacas, but it is not clear when it will happen. More at Pro Football Rumors.

I would say so. As much as we would love to add young talent to the D now, this last draft just didn't have the quantity of quality players that fit the Bears profile. I think this next draft will and the Bears will have to make do with what they have until then and its okay. Sometimes it is better to wait to get the best talent instead of throwing darts at the wrong guys. It worked for QB and I think the Bears see the next draft is better fotting for dline

4 hours ago, ASHKUM BEAR said:

I would say so. As much as we would love to add young talent to the D now, this last draft just didn't have the quantity of quality players that fit the Bears profile. I think this next draft will and the Bears will have to make do with what they have until then and its okay. Sometimes it is better to wait to get the best talent instead of throwing darts at the wrong guys. It worked for QB and I think the Bears see the next draft is better fotting for dline

i think this is true. Every GM wants Max Crosby but having the discipline not to pay for it allows you lots of other players too. And if the best shot of getting a pass rush under the cap is next years draft, then that's the deal. But i wouldnt want to just throw this season away either. Maybe a one year vet deal is still coming.

1 hour ago, BearFan PHX said:

i think this is true. Every GM wants Max Crosby but having the discipline not to pay for it allows you lots of other players too. And if the best shot of getting a pass rush under the cap is next years draft, then that's the deal. But i wouldnt want to just throw this season away either. Maybe a one year vet deal is still coming.

Possibly, it depends how the guys they have now look being healthier and having a year under their belt in the scheme. Dexter, I think, said it took them a while to understand their assignments and going into camp this year they will now know. This helps DA having them know the scheme and having more healthy players to add wrinkles. DA was kind of handcuffed getting so many new starters up to speed, like nearly the whole back 7.

At least next week we will get the camp updates.

16 minutes ago, ASHKUM BEAR said:

Possibly, it depends how the guys they have now look being healthier and having a year under their belt in the scheme. Dexter, I think, said it took them a while to understand their assignments and going into camp this year they will now know. This helps DA having them know the scheme and having more healthy players to add wrinkles. DA was kind of handcuffed getting so many new starters up to speed, like nearly the whole back 7.

At least next week we will get the camp updates.

I dont personally think we have much on the DL except the upside of Booker, a DE2. Sweat is OK, but he's a DE2 as well. We dont have anyone ont he DL who opposing offenses have to talk about, no less be afraid of.

There are some intriguing rookies, but they arent blue chip sure things. So I think the whole thing gets torn apart and put together again next year. Just like he did with the OL last year.

Edit - of course I hope to be wrong about this.

2 hours ago, BearFan PHX said:

I dont personally think we have much on the DL except the upside of Booker, a DE2. Sweat is OK, but he's a DE2 as well. We dont have anyone ont he DL who opposing offenses have to talk about, no less be afraid of.

There are some intriguing rookies, but they arent blue chip sure things. So I think the whole thing gets torn apart and put together again next year. Just like he did with the OL last year.

Yes but I’m curious what the new emphasis on technique and fundamentals does. I don’t think it will suddenly make Dexter the fastest guy off the line but it might help him better apply leverage and play to his strengths. He’s never going to be the guy who runs around someone but he needs to learn how soften edges of blockers. My hope is they can help everyone be just 10-20% more productive. Enough to get off the field on third and long.

2 hours ago, AZ54 said:

Yes but I’m curious what the new emphasis on technique and fundamentals does. I don’t think it will suddenly make Dexter the fastest guy off the line but it might help him better apply leverage and play to his strengths. He’s never going to be the guy who runs around someone but he needs to learn how soften edges of blockers. My hope is they can help everyone be just 10-20% more productive. Enough to get off the field on third and long.

Theres plenty of room for growth without being great, i agree. We were AWFUL last year on defense. I hope this year we will me mediocre. If we get to 16th ranked, that could be enough. But after next year's draft and free agency i think it's a whole new ballgame on the defensive front.