2014 Chicago Bears Offseason Thread

[UMFan83]

Saw this on reddit. Apparently Jay Cutler has the highest cap hit in the NFL next year at 22.5 mil.

 

Here is the top 25:

 

http://www.spotrac.com/rankings/nfl/cap-hit/

[Banedon]

Saw this on reddit. Apparently Jay Cutler has the highest cap hit in the NFL next year at 22.5 mil.

 

Here is the top 25:

 

http://www.spotrac.com/rankings/nfl/cap-hit/

 

I think the Bears are trying to eat that whole amount this year, to make his cap hit way less in future years. But they could move some of that cap hit if they need to.

 

He's 20th in 2015.

[Soul]

Saw this on reddit. Apparently Jay Cutler has the highest cap hit in the NFL next year at 22.5 mil.

 

Here is the top 25:

 

http://www.spotrac.com/rankings/nfl/cap-hit/

 

I think the Bears are trying to eat that whole amount this year, to make his cap hit way less in future years. But they could move some of that cap hit if they need to.

 

He's 20th in 2015.

 

Plus, it hasn't stopped the Bears from being active in free agency. I think a big part of the argument against Cutler's deal was that it would keep the Bears from improving other areas of the team.

[Guest]

This Riddick guy might want to stop tweeting

Why is that?

 

We're a long way from Summer.

 

Huh?

[jersey cubs fan]

This Riddick guy might want to stop tweeting

Why is that?

 

We're a long way from Summer.

 

Huh?

 

My theory is, the guy tweeted something to the effect of, "if you aren't the Cowboys you might as well wait until after the draft to sign this guy only if you can't find somebody in the draft." And then he signed the same day, long before post draft time.

 

But since the Cowboys signed him now, the point is moot.

[UMFan83]

Saw this on reddit. Apparently Jay Cutler has the highest cap hit in the NFL next year at 22.5 mil.

 

Here is the top 25:

 

http://www.spotrac.com/rankings/nfl/cap-hit/

 

I think the Bears are trying to eat that whole amount this year, to make his cap hit way less in future years. But they could move some of that cap hit if they need to.

 

He's 20th in 2015.

 

Plus, it hasn't stopped the Bears from being active in free agency. I think a big part of the argument against Cutler's deal was that it would keep the Bears from improving other areas of the team.

 

Yeah, I'm not saying its a bad thing. I know the Bears purposely set up his deal this way. Just didn't realize it was the biggest cap hit in all of football.

[Soul]

I thought the reference was obvious :)

 

He's tweeting things like not a surprise, wait til summer on Melton. Guy has an injury and doesn't compete? Wait til Summer.....mhum, yeah.

 

Then like 2 hours later Melton signs.

[jersey cubs fan]

I thought the reference was obvious :)

 

He's tweeting things like not a surprise, wait til summer on Melton. Guy has an injury and doesn't compete? Wait til Summer.....mhum, yeah.

 

Then like 2 hours later Melton signs.

 

But you missed the "unless you're the Cowboys" part.

[WrigleyField 22]

I don't mind the Cutler structure but I'm feeling like they should try to free up a little bit extra from his deal (or Jennings or Slauson) to get one more vet DL before the draft- not sure what the market is like. I'm still in the BDPA mindset but DL is definitely looking a bit more glaring to me. S obviously has concerns, but I think I agree with the theory that if you fix the front 7 the S play will rise.

 

There are a lot of DT I like in the 1-2 round range. Not sure someone like Donald is gonna be an Emery guy though. I see more of a mauler, though with some athleticism too. Someone like Nix or Hageman look like good bets to fit across schemes. Seems like a decent chance one of those guys may fall into the second.

[davell]

If the cap is going to move into the 160 range, as rumored over the next 3 years, I really wish we would have went into Jay's deal to grab an impact S and one more significant addition to the D-Line.

[rawaction]

I think that Emery is figuring that this is a 2-year job to fix the defense. This year is basically a lost cause. Not that the Bears can't compete, but they defense isn't going to all of a sudden be anywhere near good this year. So, I think the Bears are (rightfully) structuring things so they have big money next year to do basically whatever they want. Cutler's cap hit is only 15.5 next year and 16 the year after. Then the Bears can cut him with no dead money in future years, or they can basically have a series of cheap 1-year contracts with him, or best case, he's a top 5 QB by that point and the Bears extend him.

 

Next year has the potential to be a loaded FA class. And the Bears are geared for that with all the 1-year deals, cheap long-term deals w/little dead money, and opt out in Houston's contract.

[Banedon]

Terms for Henry Melton’s Cowboys deal: 1st year, $5M. If he’s on roster Day 1 of ’15, 3 years kick at $8M per year, $9M guaranteed for ‘15

[jersey cubs fan]

I think that Emery is figuring that this is a 2-year job to fix the defense. This year is basically a lost cause. Not that the Bears can't compete, but they defense isn't going to all of a sudden be anywhere near good this year. So, I think the Bears are (rightfully) structuring things so they have big money next year to do basically whatever they want. Cutler's cap hit is only 15.5 next year and 16 the year after. Then the Bears can cut him with no dead money in future years, or they can basically have a series of cheap 1-year contracts with him, or best case, he's a top 5 QB by that point and the Bears extend him.

 

Next year has the potential to be a loaded FA class. And the Bears are geared for that with all the 1-year deals, cheap long-term deals w/little dead money, and opt out in Houston's contract.

 

Yeah, this early in the Emery/Trestman era they might as well not blow it on a desperate attempt to turn the defense around in a hurry. Let Trestman/Cutler keep improving the offense, and give Emery the chance to build a stable defense over time that won't hold back an elite offense from winning. The early returns on this era have been good enough to warrant a little patience.

[rawaction]

If the cap is going to move into the 160 range, as rumored over the next 3 years, I really wish we would have went into Jay's deal to grab an impact S and one more significant addition to the D-Line.

 

I think the things us Cutler fans have to realize, is that the Bears are not 100% sold on Cutler. They are sold enough that they didn't offer McCown. And they paid Jay a bunch of money to not test free agency. But there's still a very good chance Trestman and Emery think they can find and develop a QB to take over the QB job in 3 years for a hell of a lot cheaper, because they are not sure Jay is the guy for the rest of his career.

 

The out after 3 years gives them a ton of leverage. If Jay misses 5 games every year, like he did this year... or if he doesn't take the next step closer to the elite QB level, then the Bears can get out of the contract. I think that's was the goal of the contract, to give the Bears leverage.

[UMFan83]

I agree, but like you said I think they can definitely compete next year and even make a playoff run. The defense will be better, but not as good or built the way Emery wants it yet.

[Soul]

I thought the reference was obvious :)

 

He's tweeting things like not a surprise, wait til summer on Melton. Guy has an injury and doesn't compete? Wait til Summer.....mhum, yeah.

 

Then like 2 hours later Melton signs.

 

But you missed the "unless you're the Cowboys" part.

not to dwell on it too much, but i believe that was after he visited Dallas, so my interpretation was that he was saying the Dallas thing went by the boards, so he won't sign anywhere until after the draft.

[jersey cubs fan]

I thought the reference was obvious :)

 

He's tweeting things like not a surprise, wait til summer on Melton. Guy has an injury and doesn't compete? Wait til Summer.....mhum, yeah.

 

Then like 2 hours later Melton signs.

 

But you missed the "unless you're the Cowboys" part.

not to dwell on it too much, but i believe that was after he visited Dallas, so my interpretation was that he was saying the Dallas thing went by the boards, so he won't sign anywhere until after the draft.

 

The point that was made was that Dallas has Rod Marinelli who apparently can get the most out of Melton. So, unless you are the Cowboys, there is no point in signing him now. But the Cowboys signed him so the point is moot and your complaint is invalid.

[Soul]

If the cap is going to move into the 160 range, as rumored over the next 3 years, I really wish we would have went into Jay's deal to grab an impact S and one more significant addition to the D-Line.

 

I think the things us Cutler fans have to realize, is that the Bears are not 100% sold on Cutler. They are sold enough that they didn't offer McCown. And they paid Jay a bunch of money to not test free agency. But there's still a very good chance Trestman and Emery think they can find and develop a QB to take over the QB job in 3 years for a hell of a lot cheaper, because they are not sure Jay is the guy for the rest of his career.

 

The out after 3 years gives them a ton of leverage. If Jay misses 5 games every year, like he did this year... or if he doesn't take the next step closer to the elite QB level, then the Bears can get out of the contract. I think that's was the goal of the contract, to give the Bears leverage.

 

I guess I don't understand your angle now. Obviously they aren't going to completely "fix" a horrible defense in one offseason. I don't understand why anyone would think they could. But they are actively making steps right now to improve, as well as position themselves for the future.

 

I really doubt Emery considers this upcoming season a lost cause.

[Guest]

I think that Emery is figuring that this is a 2-year job to fix the defense. This year is basically a lost cause. Not that the Bears can't compete, but they defense isn't going to all of a sudden be anywhere near good this year. So, I think the Bears are (rightfully) structuring things so they have big money next year to do basically whatever they want. Cutler's cap hit is only 15.5 next year and 16 the year after. Then the Bears can cut him with no dead money in future years, or they can basically have a series of cheap 1-year contracts with him, or best case, he's a top 5 QB by that point and the Bears extend him.

 

Next year has the potential to be a loaded FA class. And the Bears are geared for that with all the 1-year deals, cheap long-term deals w/little dead money, and opt out in Houston's contract.

 

Yeah, this early in the Emery/Trestman era they might as well not blow it on a desperate attempt to turn the defense around in a hurry. Let Trestman/Cutler keep improving the offense, and give Emery the chance to build a stable defense over time that won't hold back an elite offense from winning. The early returns on this era have been good enough to warrant a little patience.

 

Anyone know what the defensive FA class looks like for 2015?

[jersey cubs fan]

I guess I don't understand your angle now. Obviously they aren't going to completely "fix" a horrible defense in one offseason. I don't understand why anyone would think they could. But they are actively making steps right now to improve, as well as position themselves for the future.

 

I really doubt Emery considers this upcoming season a lost cause.

 

The Bears want to keep as much of Cutler's cap hit in the current season in order to maintain the ability to cut him after year 3 without taking a hit. That means not going gung ho in free agency this year, but they can still address needs.

[jersey cubs fan]

Anyone know what the defensive FA class looks like for 2015?

It's the NFL, anybody could be a free agent next year.

[Guest]

Anyone know what the defensive FA class looks like for 2015?

It's the NFL, anybody could be a free agent next year.

 

True enough.

[rawaction]

If the cap is going to move into the 160 range, as rumored over the next 3 years, I really wish we would have went into Jay's deal to grab an impact S and one more significant addition to the D-Line.

 

I think the things us Cutler fans have to realize, is that the Bears are not 100% sold on Cutler. They are sold enough that they didn't offer McCown. And they paid Jay a bunch of money to not test free agency. But there's still a very good chance Trestman and Emery think they can find and develop a QB to take over the QB job in 3 years for a hell of a lot cheaper, because they are not sure Jay is the guy for the rest of his career.

 

The out after 3 years gives them a ton of leverage. If Jay misses 5 games every year, like he did this year... or if he doesn't take the next step closer to the elite QB level, then the Bears can get out of the contract. I think that's was the goal of the contract, to give the Bears leverage.

 

I guess I don't understand your angle now. Obviously they aren't going to completely "fix" a horrible defense in one offseason. I don't understand why anyone would think they could. But they are actively making steps right now to improve, as well as position themselves for the future.

 

I really doubt Emery considers this upcoming season a lost cause.

 

The season isn't a lost cause. The defense is pretty close to it this year. It's kinda throwing stuff to the walls and see what sticks. Right now, the Bears don't have any for sure pieces of the defense long term other than Tim Jennings. I'd imagine Emery's hoping for Bostic and Greene to be a couple pieces. He's hoping Conte, Paea and maybe McClellin are more pieces. He's hoping Houston can be a big piece. And obviously, hoping for a good draft for a few more pieces. But he's set the team up to move on in a big way if none of those guys are pieces.

 

And there are people who think the offense was fixed in 1 year. 4 of 5 OL and a TE were added last year, but the offense already had Cutler, Marshall, Forte, and Jeffery in place. Trestman was probably the biggest "fix" for the offense. And there are a lot of people who thought, new DC, bunch of new players, and/or moving to a 3-4 would fix the defense by Sept.

[Banedon]

Devin Hester is asking for $4mil/yr.

 

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/03/19/report-devin-hester-wants-4-million-a-year/

[rawaction]

Anyone know what the defensive FA class looks like for 2015?

It's the NFL, anybody could be a free agent next year.

 

Suh, McCoy, Earl Thomas, Orakpo, Alex Mack, Greg Hardy, Rolle, Haden, Revis, Von Miller, Dareus, Devin McCourty, Patrick Peterson, Aldon Smith.

 

Everyone from the loaded 2010 draft.