2014 Chicago Bears Offseason Thread

[sweetpeteman]

 

Since we're already talking about the offseason in the game thread, I'd figured it was time to go ahead and start this.

 

Right now the projected salary cap going into next season is $126.3M. The good news for the offseason is that the Bears have a ton of cap space, second only to the Raiders. The problem is that they have the lowest number of players on contract for next season of any team at 28. The next lowest is the Raiders at 36.

 

The current roster has a cap hit of $78,556,830 plus Gould’s cap hit (probably around $3m, but I’m not sure). So assuming ~$81m cap used so far, that’s ~$45m available to sign 25 players.

 

First, coaching staff:

 

Trestman isn’t going anywhere. Any talk of “minor league coach” or whatever is idiotic.

 

I would be surprised to see any major changes to the offense side of the ball. Some of the minor coaches may get opportunities elsewhere, but I doubt any of the major people will leave, they definitely won’t be dismissed.

 

On the defense side: Blow it up. The one good thing about only having 28 rostered players (only 12 on defense) going into the offseason is that they can make significant changes in one offseason. I don’t think you keep a single defensive coach.

 

Who they hire, I don’t know. Based on Emery’s past, I fully expect them to switch to a 3-4/Hybrid defense (Rex Ryan will be retained in NY, by the way). I’m starting to come around on the idea of Mike Nolan, if you’re able to get him away from Atlanta.

 

 

On roster for next year: http://www.overthecap.com/teamcap.php?Team=Bears&Year=2014

The site listed above has a nice calculator you can mess around with.

 

Listed by depth chart: (Cap hit)

New signings in bold, cuts with amended cap hit struck through.

 

Quarterbacks

 

Jay Cutler $22,500,000 Cutler's contract details

 

Running backs

 

29 Michael Bush $3,850,000

32 Michael Ford $496,166

22 Matt Forté $7,500,000

43 Tony Fiammetta (FB) $730,000 2 year extension

 

Wide receivers

 

17 Alshon Jeffery $1,240,317

15 Brandon Marshall $9,300,000

14 Eric Weems $1,600,000

10 Marquess Wilson $506,787

80 Earl Bennett $2,450,000

82 Chris Williams $420,000

 

Tight ends

 

83 Martellus Bennett $6,025,000

 

 

 

Offensive linemen

 

78 James Brown T/G $570,000

74 Jermon Bushrod T $7,300,000

76 Joe Long T $420,000

75 Kyle Long G/T $1,886,580

67 Jordan Mills T/G $536,200

68 Matt Slauson G $2,747,500 4 year extension

 

Defensive linemen

 

91 David Bass DE $495,000

99 Shea McClellin DE $2,253,654

95 Cheta Ozougwu DE $570,000

92 Stephen Paea DT $1,172,787

90 Julius Peppers DE $18,183,333

94 Cornelius Washington DE $520,947

 

Linebackers

 

57 Jon Bostic MLB/OLB $895,636

55 Lance Briggs OLB $6,500,000

53 Jerry Franklin OLB $570,000

59 Khaseem Greene OLB $603,023

 

Defensive backs

 

47 Chris Conte FS $788,400

31 Isaiah Frey CB $495,000

26 Tim Jennings $5,250,000 4 year extension

 

Special teams

 

9 Robbie Gould K $2,600,000

8 Adam Podlesh P $1,825,000

 

 

 

 

Dead Money: $1,475,671

Total:

Cap: $133,242,727

Space:

 

I went with just OtC for cap number.

 

 

Looking through it, I expect Bush, Peppers, and Podlesh to be cut, resulting in a cap savings of another ~$20m (mostly Peppers). I’m sure a few other players are facing the block as well, but probably no major ones.

 

 

Needs:

 

Offense:

 

QB

Back-up QB

Back-up HB

Back-up TE

C

More O-line

 

This off-season has to be defense focused. I think the offense is pretty much set if you can get Cutler back for “cheap.” If they use the franchise tag, it will be non-exclusive. If some dumb team wants to give the Bears two first round picks for Cutler, I have to say yes. The tag will be about $14m.

 

Here's the thing though: I don't think Cutler will be brought back. It's just a feeling, but watching the game calling with Cutler vs. McCown, I feel like Trestman doesn't trust Cutler, and therefore may not want him back, instead opting for a stop-gap and drafting a project QB (AJ McCarron, probably). With Trestman's background as a QB guru, I could see him viewing this as the ideal route. I don't have any evidence for this, it's just a feeling. Well, I'm happily wrong.

 

The only other major addition should be at center, which may be addressed through the draft.

 

Defense:

 

Everything.

D-Line, LB, CB, S

 

Starting with the D-line, I think they will try to bring back Melton on a team friendly one-year deal, but will otherwise look outside for help. The only player who probably will be secure will unfortunately be McClellin, because it would cost more to cut him. Paea is also probably secure.

 

LB: Briggs will be back. I expect them to give DJ Williams another shot.

 

CB: They will probably try to bring back only one of Jennings and Tillman, I wouldn’t be surprised if it is Jennings. I could see them bringing back Tillman as a safety, a la Charles Woodson, but I doubt it. Bowman will probably be back. Hayden will probably be given a shot to reclaim a spot.

 

S: Gotta find somebody, preferably two somebodies. There is no way you can bring Major Wright back. He’s toast. Conte probably won’t be cut, but could be forced to the bench.

 

Special Teams:

 

Need a new punter.

Need a new kick returner. I doubt they pay what Hester will want to stay (He had a cap hit of nearly $3m this year, I could only see them offering ~$2m for 1 year).

 

Draft:

 

The Bears will have the 14th pick. Early mocks have them taking Louis Nix or Stephen Tuitt, both from Notre Dame.

 

Free agents:

 

Nate Collins and Anthony Walters are the only RFAs for this year. (Walters is a safety…yeah, I had to look him up). Bears also have exclusive rights to Taylor Boggs ©.

 

 

 

Extend (multiyear):

 

Jay Cutler (Non-exclusive franchise tag if necessary)

Henry Melton (if necessary, I'd prefer 1 year)

Tim Jennings

Charles Tillman

Matt Slauson

Zack Bowman

 

 

Extend (1 yr)

 

DJ Williams

Patrick Mannelly

Kelvin Hayden

Jay Ratliff (might be looking for multi-year)

Tony Fiammetta

Craig Steltz

Josh McCown

Eben Britton

Dante Rosario

 

Let walk:

 

Devin Hester

Roberto Garza

James Anderson

Blake Costanzo

Derrick Martin

Corey Wootton

Jonathan Scott

Jordan Palmer

Landon Cohen

Sherrick McManis

 

 

Throw in Chicago River:

 

Major Wright

 

Edited March 10, 2014 by sweetpeteman

[minnesotacubsfan]

You're waaaay too kind to Conte

[UMFan83]

Jesus Christ. I can barely even think about the Bears since the game ended without wanting to punch something and you've written a novel.

[ChiCubsFan]

I really just hope Cutler is back.

[minnesotacubsfan]

its a novel, but a pretty good one. [expletive] Wright, [expletive] conte, sign Melton, Cutler, keep the Ol in tact, draft DL, CB and S

[davell]

Great breakdown. Shows how bad of shape the D is in, considering Paea, Bostic, and Briggs are the only 3 guys under contract I feel comfortable penciling in as starters. Without knowing who actually hits the FA market, I guess it's a balancing act with Peppers. Can we upgrade from him, after cutting him, for no additional money or even a savings?

 

I think one of Ratliff or Melton will be back and could see us spend a top 3-4 round pick at DT as well. If Peppers is cut, I'd think his replacement is found via FA. Definitely think DE is addressed early in the draft.

 

I figure one of Williams or Anderson will be kept and nothing major being added via the draft.

 

At CB, I think Jennings will be back, but not Peanut, who I kind of wish would be kept as a S. Still, I see CB being addressed both in FA and in the draft, probably with an early pick.

 

Unless Tillman is put at S, I see us adding 2 thru FA, stopgap types, since I doubt we'll be able to afford much more than that.

[davell]

http://www.csnchicago.com/bears/could-bears-re-sign-jay-cutler-end-week

 

It 'd be really nice to get this done extremely quick, so you know your cap situation for other holes.

[RynoRules]

It would be very smart to extend him right away.

[Guest]

I really just hope Cutler is back.

 

I hope so too but I doubt it.

[Sammy Sofa]

I really just hope Cutler is back.

 

I hope so too but I doubt it.

 

Why?

[Soul]

Agree with a lot of that summary, but since you are calling out my comment from earlier in the game thread, I'll definitely re iterate that I feel Trestman lacks polish as a head coach. He's obviously a good offensive mind overall but I find several of his in game decisions this year really cost us. Not saying he should go anywhere - not in the least. I'm definitely looking forward to more improvement from him next year.

[BigSlick]

Ugh I can't even begin to want to think about the off-season, I need space, like after a bad ending to a relationship

[gscool89]

Really hope Cutler is back. I've always been a fan but tonight sold me that he could win here.

[WrigleyField 22]

Nice write up, but I don't know why you don't want to keep Wotton. So, his DT play didn't impress you? He's a pretty solid DE.

[Guest]

I really just hope Cutler is back.

 

I hope so too but I doubt it.

 

Why?

 

Because I believe Emery and Trestman believe they can find a QB on the cheap and use the cap savings to improve the D.

[Sammy Sofa]

I really just hope Cutler is back.

 

I hope so too but I doubt it.

 

Why?

 

Because I believe Emery and Trestman believe they can find a QB on the cheap and use the cap savings to improve the D.

 

Seems kinda backwards in a "take a step backwards to take a step forwards"-kinda way, but alright. I sure hope they don't think that way.

[davell]

If Cutler isn't a Bear in 2014(I think he will be), it'll be because he was dealt, not because they let him walk. Alex Smith got back a return of 2 2nds. Jay would definitely bring back more than him. Worst case for me is we franchise him to trade him. No, we won't get back two 1sts, but one plus other picks is feasible. Not the scenario I want or think will go down, but certainly more likely than us letting him walk.

[Sosa21MVP]

If Cutler isn't a Bear in 2014(I think he will be), it'll be because he was dealt, not because they let him walk. Alex Smith got back a return of 2 2nds. Jay would definitely bring back more than him. Worst case for me is we franchise him to trade him. No, we won't get back two 1sts, but one plus other picks is feasible. Not the scenario I want or think will go down, but certainly more likely than us letting him walk.

 

Yeah just letting him walk would be unbelievably stupid. I think he will be back on some kind of extended deal. But if not, I trust Emery will at least get something for him.

[WrigleyField 22]

If Cutler isn't a Bear in 2014(I think he will be), it'll be because he was dealt, not because they let him walk. Alex Smith got back a return of 2 2nds. Jay would definitely bring back more than him. Worst case for me is we franchise him to trade him. No, we won't get back two 1sts, but one plus other picks is feasible. Not the scenario I want or think will go down, but certainly more likely than us letting him walk.

Only problem to comparing him to Smiths return is Cutlers cost is gonna be way higher. That's enough to pull the return down even with Cutler being more talented. It would take a true bidding war, which I'm not sure us likely as Cutler would most likely have just agreed with one team on terms.

[Banedon]

I really just hope Cutler is back.

 

I hope so too but I doubt it.

 

Why?

 

Because I believe Emery and Trestman believe they can find a QB on the cheap and use the cap savings to improve the D.

 

You're way off here Raisin. Emery already backed off the "no franchise tag" thing this week. Cutler's been pretty confident through this whole process that "thing will work themselves out". And why would an offensive coach want to go backwards? The QB is the most offensively important position in football. No coach wants to get a "QB on the cheap".

[Banedon]

Brad Biggs ‏@BradBiggs 7h

#Bears home opponents in 2014: Saints, Bucs, Cowboys, Bills, Dolphins, Lions, Packers, Vikings

 

Brad Biggs ‏@BradBiggs 7h

#Bears road opponents in 2014: Falcons, Panthers, 49ers, Patriots, Jets, Lions, Packers, Vikings

[UMFan83]

Brad Biggs ‏@BradBiggs 7h

#Bears home opponents in 2014: Saints, Bucs, Cowboys, Bills, Dolphins, Lions, Packers, Vikings

 

Brad Biggs ‏@BradBiggs 7h

#Bears road opponents in 2014: Falcons, Panthers, 49ers, Patriots, Jets, Lions, Packers, Vikings

 

6-2 at home (losses to Saints, and one of Packers or Lions but not both). 2-6 on the road (wins over...umm Jets and one division game?)

 

Obviously this is based on this years team which will change significantly as will the other teams on this list so I just wasted 30 seconds thinking about it and typing out this post.

[UMFan83]

Surprised no one is talking about this:

 

Word is that Jay Cutler isn’t likely returning to the Chicago Bears.

 

A source close to Mark Block, the head of both the Mark Block agency and the Jay Cutler Foundation told The Sports Bank this morning that the Chicago Bears are likely to move in a different direction. And this information was revealed this morning, before the home loss to the Green Bay Packers in the regular season finale. The loss obviously eliminated Cutler and the Chicago Bears from playoff contention.

 

Have no idea how reliable the source is though. Although my friend just texted me and said Bears.com posted the story

 

http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/jay_cutler_and_the_chicago_bears_likely_parting_ways/15417016

[rawaction]

Yeah, I don't know how you rebuild the defense, while also getting a new QB, which basically is rebuilding the offense at the same time.

 

I actually would NOT sign Cutler to a long-term deal. I'd franchise him and draft a QB. Best case, Cutler is amazing and you sign him long-term after 2014 while you develop a good QB you can potentially trade. Worst case, Cutler gets hurt again and you let him walk after 2014, and you have an experienced, cheap guy with experience coming in.

[Banedon]

Surprised no one is talking about this:

 

Word is that Jay Cutler isn’t likely returning to the Chicago Bears.

 

A source close to Mark Block, the head of both the Mark Block agency and the Jay Cutler Foundation told The Sports Bank this morning that the Chicago Bears are likely to move in a different direction. And this information was revealed this morning, before the home loss to the Green Bay Packers in the regular season finale. The loss obviously eliminated Cutler and the Chicago Bears from playoff contention.

 

Have no idea how reliable the source is though. Although my friend just texted me and said Bears.com posted the story

 

http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/jay_cutler_and_the_chicago_bears_likely_parting_ways/15417016

 

I was also told this morning that the organization will likely move to retain Josh McCown and focus on rebuilding the defense in the NFL draft in May. There was no indication that the Bears have any interested in drafting a quarterback in 2014. Sources also said that the Bears are possibly interested in pursuing Matt Schaub.

 

That all sounds like BS to me. That would be incredibly stupid.