2014 Chicago Bears Offseason Thread

[rawaction]

But I don't see Peppers taking a pay cut, and the Bears can't take the $18Mil cap hit nor can they afford to extend him to push the problem out more.

 

Hmm...why not? If they cut him, he's not gonna sign somewhere for the same money anyway. Do you think he's just ready to go somewhere else?

 

I don't know. It's an interesting scenario. He's still getting paid the same amount this year no matter what....whatever his salary is. He's already received his bonus money upfront. But he has taken 2 restructures already. He'd be taking a non-guaranteed sum of money for a team that is rebuilding the defense with Briggs his only buddy still here from the beginning of his time here. And I've always assumed Peppers wouldn't have that type of loyalty to the Bears to do anything to help the franchise that doesn't really help him. A pay cut wouldn't help him because he would be getting no additional guarantees.

 

His only incentive is if he thinks this team is close to a ring and he wants to be a part of it.

[rawaction]

Darren Sproles to Bears speculation is hovering around.

[Banedon]

But I don't see Peppers taking a pay cut, and the Bears can't take the $18Mil cap hit nor can they afford to extend him to push the problem out more.

 

Hmm...why not? If they cut him, he's not gonna sign somewhere for the same money anyway. Do you think he's just ready to go somewhere else?

 

Tampa's nice this time of year.

 

I know that some of the guys have some high loyalty to Lovie, but I never got that vibe from Peppers. Maybe it's there...I dunno.

[jersey cubs fan]

But I don't see Peppers taking a pay cut, and the Bears can't take the $18Mil cap hit nor can they afford to extend him to push the problem out more.

 

Hmm...why not? If they cut him, he's not gonna sign somewhere for the same money anyway. Do you think he's just ready to go somewhere else?

 

Tampa's nice this time of year.

 

I know that some of the guys have some high loyalty to Lovie, but I never got that vibe from Peppers. Maybe it's there...I dunno.

 

I don't think it has anything to do with a players' loyalty to Lovie, but rather Lovie's faith in his former players.

[RynoRules]

I just peed myself thinking of Forte in the backfield with Sproles lined-up in the slot.

[UMFan83]

Darren Sproles to Bears speculation is hovering around.

 

I know I said it wasn't likely, but if they are going to make Bennett their big FA move and then go super defense heavy in the draft, then I could see the Bears going for that one piece to make the offense even more unstoppable. It would be a great fit for what the Bears are doing.

[Banedon]

Sproles can be your return man too.

[jersey cubs fan]

Adam Schefter ‏@AdamSchefter 7m

Seattle is favorite to land DE Michael Bennett, who some regard as the top free agent available. Announcement could come as early as today.

[Guest]

I'd be thrilled, with the caveat that if they don't fix their issues at DT he's going to see a [expletive] ton of double teams that he didn't see in Seattle.

 

I'll be thrilled if we add Michael Bennett. We still need to address DT though, too.

 

I'm in no way saying DT is ok or anything like that but right now you have a rotation of Jeremiah Ratliff, Stephen Paea and Nate Collins there while, assuming Peppers is cut and Michael Bennett signs, your top three DEs are Bennett, Devin Bass and Trevor Scott. DE seems like a bigger mess right now.

[Guest]

@BradBiggs: One source says #Bears offering $8.5 million per year for Michael Bennett and #Seahawks at $8 million annually. That is word around league.

[cubbyvirus00]

By all accounts on twitter, it looks like Bennett is staying in Seattle.

 

Boy our line is gonna be ugly this year.

[jersey cubs fan]

PFTCommenter ‏@PFTCommenter 5m

If u try to give @Ky1eLong snus I bet hed literaly kill you. Not a jury in the world convict him either imo

 

Kyle Long ‏@Ky1eLong 16m

“@SherrickM: Haha u a fool manRT @Ky1eLong: I will give someone a ticket to a game next year if they can get me a lipper” the struggle

 

Kyle Long ‏@Ky1eLong 19m

“@polichtyler: @Ky1eLong where are you?!” c20

 

Kyle Long ‏@Ky1eLong 20m

I will give someone a ticket to a game next year if they can get me a lipper

 

Kyle Long ‏@Ky1eLong 22m

Does anyone at O'Hare have a dip for your boy! In the C concourse haha

[Guest]

@mikecwright: The Bears suitors for Donte Whitner, according to San Francisco Chronicle. He'll knock the Kool-Aid out your jug man.

[ctcf]

I'd be thrilled, with the caveat that if they don't fix their issues at DT he's going to see a [expletive] ton of double teams that he didn't see in Seattle.

 

I'll be thrilled if we add Michael Bennett. We still need to address DT though, too.

 

I'm in no way saying DT is ok or anything like that but right now you have a rotation of Jeremiah Ratliff, Stephen Paea and Nate Collins there while, assuming Peppers is cut and Michael Bennett signs, your top three DEs are Bennett, Devin Bass and Trevor Scott. DE seems like a bigger mess right now.

 

Well that sucks

[davell]

Closing in on a contract with DJ.

 

Gotta admit, as far as re-signing our own FA, Emery did a hell of a job this year.

[Banedon]

Jarius Byrd is seeking $9m per.

[UMFan83]

Jarius Byrd is seeking $9m per.

 

Geez, no thanks

[Wilson A2000]

By all accounts on twitter, it looks like Bennett is staying in Seattle.

 

Boy our line is gonna be ugly this year.

 

Official: Bennett stays. Crap.

[jersey cubs fan]

Adam Schefter ‏@AdamSchefter 1m

And now, as @ProFootballTalk reported, Seattle's deal with DE Michael Bennett is done. Expect it to be four years, about $34 million.

[Wilson A2000]

Adam Schefter ‏@AdamSchefter 1m

And now, as @ProFootballTalk reported, Seattle's deal with DE Michael Bennett is done. Expect it to be four years, about $34 million.

 

Sounds like they just matched Bears offer

[Guest]

Damn.

 

I'm not that interested in Michael Johnson, might be better to go after one of the better free agent DTs like Linval Joseph. Maybe TJ Ward if he has a lower price tag than Byrd.

[Banedon]

On to Michael Johnson?

[rawaction]

Damn.

 

I'm not that interested in Michael Johnson, might be better to go after one of the better free agent DTs like Linval Joseph. Maybe TJ Ward if he has a lower price tag than Byrd.

 

Yeah, Johnson's probably closer to 10Mil/year. I really wanted Everson Griffen, but he re-upped with the Vikings (and got overpaid to do so). Really slim pickings now at DE. Jared Allen is the best out there right now. Ugh.

 

TJ Ward is better than Byrd, IMO. Plus, the Bears want to give Conte a chance to compete. He and Byrd both can only play FS.

[jersey cubs fan]

Brad Biggs ‏@BradBiggs 24s

.@ProFootballTalk reports $28.5 mil over 4 years for Michael Bennett in SEA. Sources (not at Halas Hall) told me #Bears had more on table.

[Guest]

Aren't Jared Allen and Cutler friends or something