Chicago Bears offseason

[Hairyducked Idiot]

They restructured Fuller’s contract to create $6m in cap space this offseason while raising his cap hit in 2021 and beyond.

 

Borrowing from the future to pay for 2020 is the worst thing they could be doing

 

can't they pretty much do this cap dance indefinitely? there's always somewhere to go.

 

No. Every dollar paid to a player hits the cap eventually. It isn’t an infinite well.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

They restructured Fuller’s contract to create $6m in cap space this offseason while raising his cap hit in 2021 and beyond.

 

Borrowing from the future to pay for 2020 is the worst thing they could be doing

 

can't they pretty much do this cap dance indefinitely? there's always somewhere to go.

With a raising cap, its impact is definitely lessened to a degree. They are still in a pretty overall healthy cap situation and one or two of those isn't going to be a killer. Some of its just a guarantee/non-guarantee dance, and some of the space you created now could be for non-guarantees in future years which won't ever hit that cap unless the player is still productive and worth that cap. Also, with cap rollovers its also sometimes a "six of one, half a dozen of the other" scenario.

 

Of course, if you're just really just 100% done with this team, any of that is bad. You want to do the exact opposite and no amount of backloading is reasonable.

 

 

Most of this is true, but you can’t convert guaranteed money into non-guaranteed. The total cap hit remains constant (or goes up if you add guarantees), it just moves around in time.

[jersey cubs fan]

It's only a real problem if they give Trubisky a big extension, and that is not going to happen.

[WrigleyField 22]

 

can't they pretty much do this cap dance indefinitely? there's always somewhere to go.

With a raising cap, its impact is definitely lessened to a degree. They are still in a pretty overall healthy cap situation and one or two of those isn't going to be a killer. Some of its just a guarantee/non-guarantee dance, and some of the space you created now could be for non-guarantees in future years which won't ever hit that cap unless the player is still productive and worth that cap. Also, with cap rollovers its also sometimes a "six of one, half a dozen of the other" scenario.

 

Of course, if you're just really just 100% done with this team, any of that is bad. You want to do the exact opposite and no amount of backloading is reasonable.

 

 

Most of this is true, but you can’t convert guaranteed money into non-guaranteed. The total cap hit remains constant (or goes up if you add guarantees), it just moves around in time.

I guess it would technically have to be an extension rather than a restucture, but you could definitely backend some new non-guarantees you never intend to pay for a smaller new guarantee as a cap-cash trade off. That would be more the guaranteed-non-guarantee dance.

 

In Fuller's case it is all timing. FWIW though, based on the article I read, I think it will only net them 4.5M in new space. The new bonus goes back to 2019, which will reduce their rollover by the pro-rated 1.5M in new 2019 guarantees.

[jersey cubs fan]

[WrigleyField 22]

I have a bad feeling about this one.

 

Fun not fun fact. He's the only S on the roster right now.

[WrigleyField 22]

On the other hand, this could be a great example of this dance discussed yesterday. Whatever portion o Jackson's extension is a signing bonus gets prorated over 5 years, including 2020 now. So the Fuller restructure opens up some cap to extend Jackson now, which in turn makes Jackson's 2021-2024 hits slightly lower. The pro is you lock in Jackson now instead of whatever 2021 brings (which I think is after another new TV deal?). The risk of course being Jackson being injured or that his down year wasn't fluky and his early success was mostly just random bounce of the ball that led to a high number of picks and points off those picks.

[minnesotacubsfan]

I too get nervous whenever I read "highest paid xxx in the league" attached to a Bears contract

[raw]

On the other hand, this could be a great example of this dance discussed yesterday. Whatever portion o Jackson's extension is a signing bonus gets prorated over 5 years, including 2020 now. So the Fuller restructure opens up some cap to extend Jackson now, which in turn makes Jackson's 2021-2024 hits slightly lower. The pro is you lock in Jackson now instead of whatever 2021 brings (which I think is after another new TV deal?). The risk of course being Jackson being injured or that his down year wasn't fluky and his early success was mostly just random bounce of the ball that led to a high number of picks and points off those picks.

 

Advanced metrics still loved Jackson this year. He had great coverage grades, teams avoided him a lot, and he played closer to the line of scrimmage this year because Haha has a similar skillset. Jackson also statistically improved his tackling this year. Well worth the money.

[raw]

So, there rumors going around that the Bears are not going to hire an offensive coordinator. There has been very little buzz about a new OC. The Bears hired an OL coach. Matt Nagy calls the plays anyway, and Pace mentioned in the press conference that he has no issues with Nagy's playcalling.

 

The rumor appears to be started by a Bears blogger who "knows a couple people". Take that as you will, but this guy also briefly brought up Castillo's name out of nowhere hours before he was named the OL coach.

 

There's also Bill Zimmerman of "If Alex Smith can play in 2020, it will be for the Bears" fame. He tweeted today that he predicts Dalton to the Bears, and Keenum to go wherever Shurmur goes. When asked what about if Shurmur becomes Bears OC, he said Shurmur would want control over assistants hence he doesn't believe that's a go for the Bears job.

 

There is precedence for not having an OC. Kyle Shanahan and Sean McVay don't have OCs. Both have similar setups with an OL coach who is the run game coordinator and QB coach who is pass game coordinator. Of course, those guys are really good....so do whatever you want with that info.

[WrigleyField 22]

So, there rumors going around that the Bears are not going to hire an offensive coordinator. There has been very little buzz about a new OC. The Bears hired an OL coach. Matt Nagy calls the plays anyway, and Pace mentioned in the press conference that he has no issues with Nagy's playcalling.

 

The rumor appears to be started by a Bears blogger who "knows a couple people". Take that as you will, but this guy also briefly brought up Castillo's name out of nowhere hours before he was named the OL coach.

 

There's also Bill Zimmerman of "If Alex Smith can play in 2020, it will be for the Bears" fame. He tweeted today that he predicts Dalton to the Bears, and Keenum to go wherever Shurmur goes. When asked what about if Shurmur becomes Bears OC, he said Shurmur would want control over assistants hence he doesn't believe that's a go for the Bears job.

 

There is precedence for not having an OC. Kyle Shanahan and Sean McVay don't have OCs. Both have similar setups with an OL coach who is the run game coordinator and QB coach who is pass game coordinator. Of course, those guys are really good....so do whatever you want with that info.

Yea, there also seems to be Buzz about Ragone being in line for a promotion,which seems crazy. I don't know what that supposed to says about Mitch if they think Ragone has actually helped improve his play.

 

Castillo - OL coach/Run Coordinator

Ragone - QB Coach/Pass Game coordinator

New TE coach. Just numbers wise you'd be down 1 coach, and could just grab some other type of specialist. Maybe an assistant QB coach or just "Special Assistant".

[gflore34]

So, there rumors going around that the Bears are not going to hire an offensive coordinator. There has been very little buzz about a new OC. The Bears hired an OL coach. Matt Nagy calls the plays anyway, and Pace mentioned in the press conference that he has no issues with Nagy's playcalling.

 

The rumor appears to be started by a Bears blogger who "knows a couple people". Take that as you will, but this guy also briefly brought up Castillo's name out of nowhere hours before he was named the OL coach.

 

There's also Bill Zimmerman of "If Alex Smith can play in 2020, it will be for the Bears" fame. He tweeted today that he predicts Dalton to the Bears, and Keenum to go wherever Shurmur goes. When asked what about if Shurmur becomes Bears OC, he said Shurmur would want control over assistants hence he doesn't believe that's a go for the Bears job.

 

There is precedence for not having an OC. Kyle Shanahan and Sean McVay don't have OCs. Both have similar setups with an OL coach who is the run game coordinator and QB coach who is pass game coordinator. Of course, those guys are really good....so do whatever you want with that info.

 

Dalton? Do not believe he's upgrade over Mitch more of lateral move, I believe Nagy' got work with the QB he has. To that end they've got to improve the OL and run blocking, be a run first team in 2020, it's the only scheme in which Mitch is going to have success. I'd think the so-called offensive genius Nagy could figure something out.

[WrigleyField 22]

So, there rumors going around that the Bears are not going to hire an offensive coordinator. There has been very little buzz about a new OC. The Bears hired an OL coach. Matt Nagy calls the plays anyway, and Pace mentioned in the press conference that he has no issues with Nagy's playcalling.

 

The rumor appears to be started by a Bears blogger who "knows a couple people". Take that as you will, but this guy also briefly brought up Castillo's name out of nowhere hours before he was named the OL coach.

 

There's also Bill Zimmerman of "If Alex Smith can play in 2020, it will be for the Bears" fame. He tweeted today that he predicts Dalton to the Bears, and Keenum to go wherever Shurmur goes. When asked what about if Shurmur becomes Bears OC, he said Shurmur would want control over assistants hence he doesn't believe that's a go for the Bears job.

 

There is precedence for not having an OC. Kyle Shanahan and Sean McVay don't have OCs. Both have similar setups with an OL coach who is the run game coordinator and QB coach who is pass game coordinator. Of course, those guys are really good....so do whatever you want with that info.

 

Dalton? Do not believe he's upgrade over Mitch more of lateral move, I believe Nagy' got work with the QB he has. To that end they've got to improve the OL and run blocking, be a run first team in 2020, it's the only scheme in which Mitch is going to have success. I'd think the so-called offensive genius Nagy could figure something out.

Dalton only makes some sense if he's taking a big pay cut, and then its more appropriate to think of him as a Daniel replacement. Ideally you want someone to push Mitch, even though a clear cut improvement probably isn't realistic between available cap and available FA.

[jersey cubs fan]

So, there rumors going around that the Bears are not going to hire an offensive coordinator. There has been very little buzz about a new OC. The Bears hired an OL coach. Matt Nagy calls the plays anyway, and Pace mentioned in the press conference that he has no issues with Nagy's playcalling.

 

The rumor appears to be started by a Bears blogger who "knows a couple people". Take that as you will, but this guy also briefly brought up Castillo's name out of nowhere hours before he was named the OL coach.

 

There's also Bill Zimmerman of "If Alex Smith can play in 2020, it will be for the Bears" fame. He tweeted today that he predicts Dalton to the Bears, and Keenum to go wherever Shurmur goes. When asked what about if Shurmur becomes Bears OC, he said Shurmur would want control over assistants hence he doesn't believe that's a go for the Bears job.

 

There is precedence for not having an OC. Kyle Shanahan and Sean McVay don't have OCs. Both have similar setups with an OL coach who is the run game coordinator and QB coach who is pass game coordinator. Of course, those guys are really good....so do whatever you want with that info.

Yea, there also seems to be Buzz about Ragone being in line for a promotion,which seems crazy. I don't know what that supposed to says about Mitch if they think Ragone has actually helped improve his play.

 

Castillo - OL coach/Run Coordinator

Ragone - QB Coach/Pass Game coordinator

New TE coach. Just numbers wise you'd be down 1 coach, and could just grab some other type of specialist. Maybe an assistant QB coach or just "Special Assistant".

[raw]

I think I'm starting to get back into the Marcus Mariota idea. The Titans put out the obvious blueprint. Second overall pick QB who's missed time here and there, had decent seasons, suffered regression, never quite put it together and going into his contract year (4th year in Mitch's case, 5th in Mariota's). They added competition to him with a QB in a similar situation of underachieving.

 

That's where I don't like Dalton. He doesn't have a high pedigree. He's a serviceable talent who has played serviceably for the most part. There is no upside with him that he could tap into with new coaching. The best you can hope for is serviceable play from someone who hasn't performed at league average in now 3 seasons.

 

Mariota still has some untapped potential. He (along w/ Winston) is the youngest FA QB in this class, so you could still get long-term stability with him. I didn't think Tannehill had much upside at 31, but to be fair, he was a late bloomer who was a college WR for a couple years before moving back to QB and missed a full year right after his best NFL season. Of course, Tannehill's success kinda takes some of the argument for Mariota away because if the theory is he just needs a change of scenery.....Tannehill just changed to the same scenery and put up MVP level numbers.

 

But at this point, I think I'd rather gamble with the chance he needs a change of scenery over Dalton or even Keenum just reaching basic competency levels....even though the Bears would kill for basic competency at this point.

[WrigleyField 22]

So, there rumors going around that the Bears are not going to hire an offensive coordinator. There has been very little buzz about a new OC. The Bears hired an OL coach. Matt Nagy calls the plays anyway, and Pace mentioned in the press conference that he has no issues with Nagy's playcalling.

 

The rumor appears to be started by a Bears blogger who "knows a couple people". Take that as you will, but this guy also briefly brought up Castillo's name out of nowhere hours before he was named the OL coach.

 

There's also Bill Zimmerman of "If Alex Smith can play in 2020, it will be for the Bears" fame. He tweeted today that he predicts Dalton to the Bears, and Keenum to go wherever Shurmur goes. When asked what about if Shurmur becomes Bears OC, he said Shurmur would want control over assistants hence he doesn't believe that's a go for the Bears job.

 

There is precedence for not having an OC. Kyle Shanahan and Sean McVay don't have OCs. Both have similar setups with an OL coach who is the run game coordinator and QB coach who is pass game coordinator. Of course, those guys are really good....so do whatever you want with that info.

Yea, there also seems to be Buzz about Ragone being in line for a promotion,which seems crazy. I don't know what that supposed to says about Mitch if they think Ragone has actually helped improve his play.

 

Castillo - OL coach/Run Coordinator

Ragone - QB Coach/Pass Game coordinator

New TE coach. Just numbers wise you'd be down 1 coach, and could just grab some other type of specialist. Maybe an assistant QB coach or just "Special Assistant".

Does he wear a visor?

[WrigleyField 22]

I think I'm starting to get back into the Marcus Mariota idea. The Titans put out the obvious blueprint. Second overall pick QB who's missed time here and there, had decent seasons, suffered regression, never quite put it together and going into his contract year (4th year in Mitch's case, 5th in Mariota's). They added competition to him with a QB in a similar situation of underachieving.

 

That's where I don't like Dalton. He doesn't have a high pedigree. He's a serviceable talent who has played serviceably for the most part. There is no upside with him that he could tap into with new coaching. The best you can hope for is serviceable play from someone who hasn't performed at league average in now 3 seasons.

 

Mariota still has some untapped potential. He (along w/ Winston) is the youngest FA QB in this class, so you could still get long-term stability with him. I didn't think Tannehill had much upside at 31, but to be fair, he was a late bloomer who was a college WR for a couple years before moving back to QB and missed a full year right after his best NFL season. Of course, Tannehill's success kinda takes some of the argument for Mariota away because if the theory is he just needs a change of scenery.....Tannehill just changed to the same scenery and put up MVP level numbers.

 

But at this point, I think I'd rather gamble with the chance he needs a change of scenery over Dalton or even Keenum just reaching basic competency levels....even though the Bears would kill for basic competency at this point.

Tannehil signed for 1 year 2M. If that's the contract Mariota takes, I'd be down.

 

Edit-nevermind it was a trade where they restructured the last year of his deal, not a FA signing. 1/2 was the Titan's cap hit though. Any targets like that?

 

Edit 2- Cam Newton on a renegotiated final year that's incentive based with a few mil guarantees? Would Carolina do it for one of the 5th's and a 6/7 swap?

[raw]

I think I'm starting to get back into the Marcus Mariota idea. The Titans put out the obvious blueprint. Second overall pick QB who's missed time here and there, had decent seasons, suffered regression, never quite put it together and going into his contract year (4th year in Mitch's case, 5th in Mariota's). They added competition to him with a QB in a similar situation of underachieving.

 

That's where I don't like Dalton. He doesn't have a high pedigree. He's a serviceable talent who has played serviceably for the most part. There is no upside with him that he could tap into with new coaching. The best you can hope for is serviceable play from someone who hasn't performed at league average in now 3 seasons.

 

Mariota still has some untapped potential. He (along w/ Winston) is the youngest FA QB in this class, so you could still get long-term stability with him. I didn't think Tannehill had much upside at 31, but to be fair, he was a late bloomer who was a college WR for a couple years before moving back to QB and missed a full year right after his best NFL season. Of course, Tannehill's success kinda takes some of the argument for Mariota away because if the theory is he just needs a change of scenery.....Tannehill just changed to the same scenery and put up MVP level numbers.

 

But at this point, I think I'd rather gamble with the chance he needs a change of scenery over Dalton or even Keenum just reaching basic competency levels....even though the Bears would kill for basic competency at this point.

Tannehil signed for 1 year 2M. If that's the contract Mariota takes, I'd be down.

 

Edit-nevermind it was a trade where they restructured the last year of his deal, not a FA signing. 1/2 was the Titan's cap hit though. Any targets like that?

 

Edit 2- Cam Newton on a renegotiated final year that's incentive based with a few mil guarantees? Would Carolina do it for one of the 5th's and a 6/7 swap?

If Carolina does that trade is because their medical staff thinks Cam's body is completely shot. They got nothing else.

 

Sent from my moto e5 supra using Tapatalk

[UMFan83]

Kyle Long is either retiring or is being cut and announcing it on twitter but his wording suggests that he’s retiring. How much would that help the Bears cap situation vs simply being cut?

 

 

 

[jersey cubs fan]

I thought he was an expected cut this year with minimal cap hit, like $10m to play vs $1m to get rid of him.

[David]

I know this blogger is friendly with Adam Jahns and I think he might know a couple other people w/some channels. He has alluded to moves in the past like this. Who knows.

 

 

I'd be a little surprised given that Nagy wants to call plays, but he's who I'd want.

[gflore34]

Question regarding Mitch' contract, as I understand it the Bears have until May to pick up his 2021 option. However, he's still under contract for 2020 regardless of the Bears exercising the option. Why would the Bears pick up his 2021 option?

[WrigleyField 22]

I know this blogger is friendly with Adam Jahns and I think he might know a couple other people w/some channels. He has alluded to moves in the past like this. Who knows.

 

 

I'd be a little surprised given that Nagy wants to call plays, but he's who I'd want.

Wasn't this the guy who just called the Castillo hiring?

[Tim]

Question regarding Mitch' contract, as I understand it the Bears have until May to pick up his 2021 option. However, he's still under contract for 2020 regardless of the Bears exercising the option. Why would the Bears pick up his 2021 option?

Can't they still cut him after next season with no repercussions even if they pick up the option?

 

Or it could be that I'm still drugged up from my doctor visit this morning.

[jersey cubs fan]

Question regarding Mitch' contract, as I understand it the Bears have until May to pick up his 2021 option. However, he's still under contract for 2020 regardless of the Bears exercising the option. Why would the Bears pick up his 2021 option?

 

You pick up a 5th year option when you want to keep a player at a more reasonable price than you might have to pay if he hit free agency. The cost in and of itself is roughly in line with what you'd pay just about any theoretically available free agent QB. But you only commit one year out.

 

You also still have the option of cutting that player next year for anything but injury. So the risk is limited.

 

So, why would the Bears do this with Mitch?

A) They still have hope that he can improve.

B) They don't have much faith in finding better help elsewhere prior to the 2021 season.

C) You want to send a signal to the team that you have some faith in the guy even if you don't have a ton and are willing to take the risk that he gets injured enough to make the salary guaranteed, knowing that you can cut him next February anyway.