Bears off-season thread 2022

[WrigleyField 22]

I read somewhere that ODonnell and Grant signings were not enough to qualify them as Compensatory Free Agents to offset Bears UFA signings. Does anyone know what teh threshold is? Dalton signed for $3MM and apparently that qualifies. Grant maybe not because he was traded mid season. ODonnell wasn't enough money to qualify according to what I read.

 

I don't think we have much chance of picking up any comp picks with how many roster spots still open, but more curious than anything

Grant's deal would have been big enough, but he was never gonna be comp pick eligible because he didn't reach the "Maximum Possible Term" on his deal.

 

O'Donnell wasnt big enough.

 

And yea not much chance to net any.

[raw]

I read somewhere that ODonnell and Grant signings were not enough to qualify them as Compensatory Free Agents to offset Bears UFA signings. Does anyone know what teh threshold is? Dalton signed for $3MM and apparently that qualifies. Grant maybe not because he was traded mid season. ODonnell wasn't enough money to qualify according to what I read.

 

I don't think we have much chance of picking up any comp picks with how many roster spots still open, but more curious than anything

 

The threshold to count toward the comp pick formula is typically around 2.5Mil. I don't think it's a "set" amount, it's just based on percentage of contracts signed. Only players who sign contracts in the top 35% of AAV league-wide qualify for a comp pick. And with rookie deals, UDFA deals, vet minimums, etc. 65% of NFL contracts tend to be less than 2.5M AAV on any given year.

[WrigleyField 22]

I read somewhere that ODonnell and Grant signings were not enough to qualify them as Compensatory Free Agents to offset Bears UFA signings. Does anyone know what teh threshold is? Dalton signed for $3MM and apparently that qualifies. Grant maybe not because he was traded mid season. ODonnell wasn't enough money to qualify according to what I read.

 

I don't think we have much chance of picking up any comp picks with how many roster spots still open, but more curious than anything

 

The threshold to count toward the comp pick formula is typically around 2.5Mil. I don't think it's a "set" amount, it's just based on percentage of contracts signed. Only players who sign contracts in the top 35% of AAV league-wide qualify for a comp pick. And with rookie deals, UDFA deals, vet minimums, etc. 65% of NFL contracts tend to be less than 2.5M AAV on any given year.

Yea, best estimate I've seen is around 2.5. There is a set lower limit thats currently 1.77 and goes up 0.2 every other year. But the 35% threshold is obviously well about that and would figure to stay so.

[jumbo]

I read somewhere that ODonnell and Grant signings were not enough to qualify them as Compensatory Free Agents to offset Bears UFA signings. Does anyone know what teh threshold is? Dalton signed for $3MM and apparently that qualifies. Grant maybe not because he was traded mid season. ODonnell wasn't enough money to qualify according to what I read.

 

I don't think we have much chance of picking up any comp picks with how many roster spots still open, but more curious than anything

 

The threshold to count toward the comp pick formula is typically around 2.5Mil. I don't think it's a "set" amount, it's just based on percentage of contracts signed. Only players who sign contracts in the top 35% of AAV league-wide qualify for a comp pick. And with rookie deals, UDFA deals, vet minimums, etc. 65% of NFL contracts tend to be less than 2.5M AAV on any given year.

Yea, best estimate I've seen is around 2.5. There is a set lower limit thats currently 1.77 and goes up 0.2 every other year. But the 35% threshold is obviously well about that and would figure to stay so.

 

Thanks to both of you for responding. Coincidentally, I noticed someone on twitter over the weekend asking for two current FA's (Hicks, Ifedi, ??) to sign for more than $2.5 so that a comp pick would get freed up. I think Hicks could meet that, but the second would have to be Ifedi, Tashaun Gipson, not sure who else could possibly qualify at this point.

 

I'm sure eeryone saw that Titans S is signing with the Bears. He seems like another DHC type, which is welcome particularly with Deon Bush moving on

[Splendid Splinter]

I'm sure eeryone saw that Titans S is signing with the Bears. He seems like another DHC type, which is welcome particularly with Deon Bush moving on

 

IIRC, I think Cruikshank is very good defending against TEs, but yes, he's another DHC type. If we can sign a capable SS to start and then a minimum $$ FS to back up Jackson/5th safety, I'm fine with the safeties as a group. Do Bears normally have 5 safeties on their roster?

[WrigleyField 22]

I'm sure eeryone saw that Titans S is signing with the Bears. He seems like another DHC type, which is welcome particularly with Deon Bush moving on

 

IIRC, I think Cruikshank is very good defending against TEs, but yes, he's another DHC type. If we can sign a capable SS to start and then a minimum $$ FS to back up Jackson/5th safety, I'm fine with the safeties as a group. Do Bears normally have 5 safeties on their roster?

Pace usually seemed to go more CB happy than S happy but that is obviously meaningless in a new regime.

[JeffH]

This was the opening day breakdown last season:

 

QB (3)

RB (3)

WR (6)

TE (5)

OL (9)

DL (5)

LB (9)

CB (6)

S (4)

SP (3)

[Bertz]

[raw]

I'm sure eeryone saw that Titans S is signing with the Bears. He seems like another DHC type, which is welcome particularly with Deon Bush moving on

 

IIRC, I think Cruikshank is very good defending against TEs, but yes, he's another DHC type. If we can sign a capable SS to start and then a minimum $$ FS to back up Jackson/5th safety, I'm fine with the safeties as a group. Do Bears normally have 5 safeties on their roster?

 

4 safeties is the norm. I believe the Bears have gone w/ 5 in the past for special teams purposes. Teez Tabor was listed as a CB, but played more safety than anything, so the Bears would have had Jackson, Gipson, DHC, Bush and Tabor last year at S.

[raw]

 

Can't believe Treylon Burks may slip to the 2nd round. I understand his limitations, but his play on the field says more than running around in underwear does. He's a big play waiting to happen whether you get the ball to him short, deep or intermediate.

 

This is probably how I'd rank them as far as talent goes, but with the caveat that the Bears really need an outside WR, so if they pass on Dotson for Pickens or Watson, I'd understand completely. Dotson and Moore can play outside, though they are smaller, but may be better off playing all over the field similar to Mooney and maybe Pringle as well.

[WrigleyField 22]

 

Can't believe Treylon Burks may slip to the 2nd round. I understand his limitations, but his play on the field says more than running around in underwear does. He's a big play waiting to happen whether you get the ball to him short, deep or intermediate.

 

This is probably how I'd rank them as far as talent goes, but with the caveat that the Bears really need an outside WR, so if they pass on Dotson for Pickens or Watson, I'd understand completely. Dotson and Moore can play outside, though they are smaller, but may be better off playing all over the field similar to Mooney and maybe Pringle as well.

Messed around on a PFF mock the other day where I trade up to 33 to snag him then back down from 48 to recoup some picks.

[WrigleyField 22]

[UMFan83]

 

Sucks that we we “went for it” the year we had an impossible schedule and are retooling the year we have an easy schedule

[WrigleyField 22]

 

Sucks that we we “went for it” the year we had an impossible schedule and are retooling the year we have an easy schedule

Gonna line up for so many bad takes lol

[minnesotacubsfan]

 

Sucks that we we “went for it” the year we had an impossible schedule and are retooling the year we have an easy schedule

Gonna line up for so many bad takes lol

 

Poles might be gone by the end of it

[jumbo]

 

Can't believe Treylon Burks may slip to the 2nd round. I understand his limitations, but his play on the field says more than running around in underwear does. He's a big play waiting to happen whether you get the ball to him short, deep or intermediate.

 

This is probably how I'd rank them as far as talent goes, but with the caveat that the Bears really need an outside WR, so if they pass on Dotson for Pickens or Watson, I'd understand completely. Dotson and Moore can play outside, though they are smaller, but may be better off playing all over the field similar to Mooney and maybe Pringle as well.

Messed around on a PFF mock the other day where I trade up to 33 to snag him then back down from 48 to recoup some picks.

 

I had some fun with the PFF draft tool now that you can trade players. It is not set up right for value of players, meaning I could get a 4th round pick for Attoachiu, 6th round picks for PS players, etc. I got to like 40 picks, which is how many the Bears will need to fill out their 90 man roster for training camp

[jumbo]

 

Sucks that we we “went for it” the year we had an impossible schedule and are retooling the year we have an easy schedule

 

I can't get over the decision to keep Nagy and Pace following 2020. It was so obvious at that time that it needed to be done, setting up Pace and Nagy to go for it one more time almost literally against all odds (hardest schedule, no QB, aging roster, OL problems, lack of weapons). Drafting Fields made no sense with those guys doing what they were doing. I'll stop here, cuz this is a bad cycle I get into!

[Soul]

 

Sucks that we we “went for it” the year we had an impossible schedule and are retooling the year we have an easy schedule

 

I can't get over the decision to keep Nagy and Pace following 2020. It was so obvious at that time that it needed to be done, setting up Pace and Nagy to go for it one more time almost literally against all odds (hardest schedule, no QB, aging roster, OL problems, lack of weapons). Drafting Fields made no sense with those guys doing what they were doing. I'll stop here, cuz this is a bad cycle I get into!

 

Sounds familiar. The stars never align. At some point something has to happen to improve the team in spite of the conditions not being right. Because there's always going to be something that makes our situation less than ideal.

[jersey cubs fan]

 

Sucks that we we “went for it” the year we had an impossible schedule and are retooling the year we have an easy schedule

 

I can't get over the decision to keep Nagy and Pace following 2020. It was so obvious at that time that it needed to be done, setting up Pace and Nagy to go for it one more time almost literally against all odds (hardest schedule, no QB, aging roster, OL problems, lack of weapons). Drafting Fields made no sense with those guys doing what they were doing. I'll stop here, cuz this is a bad cycle I get into!

 

Sounds familiar. The stars never align. At some point something has to happen to improve the team in spite of the conditions not being right. Because there's always going to be something that makes our situation less than ideal.

Every team that isn't successful can look back and talk about stars not aligning and conditions not being right, until they are. The Rams had their coach and defense but not the QB they needed, until they got it. The Bengals and Bills had nothing but a series of failure and disappointment until they got their QB. The Cowboys seemingly go into every season with an elite something, but haven't come close to putting it all together.

 

It's not about timing and conditions. It's just getting the job done.

[raw]

 

Sucks that we we “went for it” the year we had an impossible schedule and are retooling the year we have an easy schedule

 

I can't get over the decision to keep Nagy and Pace following 2020. It was so obvious at that time that it needed to be done, setting up Pace and Nagy to go for it one more time almost literally against all odds (hardest schedule, no QB, aging roster, OL problems, lack of weapons). Drafting Fields made no sense with those guys doing what they were doing. I'll stop here, cuz this is a bad cycle I get into!

 

I think it was a tough spot to be in. Because every rational person knew the Bears weren't good enough. They knew the QB wasn't good enough, the coaching wasn't good enough, and the roster was hamstrung by bad contracts and lack of draft picks. All very valid reason to fire everyone after 2020. But I think the no losing seasons and 2 of 3 playoff years made it tough to fire them. There were a lot of disaster situations, but no disaster season from Nagy/Pace combo. Obviously, you shouldn't wait for a disaster to get rid of something that's not working, but I think the difference was that playoff game they were able to squeeze into.

[jumbo]

 

Sucks that we we “went for it” the year we had an impossible schedule and are retooling the year we have an easy schedule

 

I can't get over the decision to keep Nagy and Pace following 2020. It was so obvious at that time that it needed to be done, setting up Pace and Nagy to go for it one more time almost literally against all odds (hardest schedule, no QB, aging roster, OL problems, lack of weapons). Drafting Fields made no sense with those guys doing what they were doing. I'll stop here, cuz this is a bad cycle I get into!

 

I think it was a tough spot to be in. Because every rational person knew the Bears weren't good enough. They knew the QB wasn't good enough, the coaching wasn't good enough, and the roster was hamstrung by bad contracts and lack of draft picks. All very valid reason to fire everyone after 2020. But I think the no losing seasons and 2 of 3 playoff years made it tough to fire them. There were a lot of disaster situations, but no disaster season from Nagy/Pace combo. Obviously, you shouldn't wait for a disaster to get rid of something that's not working, but I think the difference was that playoff game they were able to squeeze into.

 

This is about the worst case scenario of the "high draft pick QB on rookie contract GO FOR IT" model. The Bears are easily on the worse end of this scale because of their imbalance in money spent on defense. You spend a ton on offensive line and weapons and the QB/OC/HC can't scheme ot motivate, you sway out whatever pieces and the talent is still there. The Bears didn't have enough offensive talent and were very heavy on defense so there was no quick fix.

 

I agree that it would be hard to move on after missing the playoffs for the first time, but as you said, it was obvious that the 2019 and 2020 teams were not going on a deep playoff run. I would have loved to have been in the room for the meeting beween Pace/Nagy and ownership after 2020. "How are you going to fix it?" There was no good answer from Pace and Nagy except "gimme another vet QB, I have one I like. No, not that one, another one." How McCaskey and Phillips ended that meeting demanding progress from Pace/Nagy was just an astonishing decision unless neither one knows jack squat about the game. Watch the games and it should be obvious, but they blew that decision.

 

This would have led to a 2020 with Foles entrenched as the starter going in. Foles would suck and eventually miss time to injury and the tank would have been on in completely natural form.

[raw]

 

I can't get over the decision to keep Nagy and Pace following 2020. It was so obvious at that time that it needed to be done, setting up Pace and Nagy to go for it one more time almost literally against all odds (hardest schedule, no QB, aging roster, OL problems, lack of weapons). Drafting Fields made no sense with those guys doing what they were doing. I'll stop here, cuz this is a bad cycle I get into!

 

I think it was a tough spot to be in. Because every rational person knew the Bears weren't good enough. They knew the QB wasn't good enough, the coaching wasn't good enough, and the roster was hamstrung by bad contracts and lack of draft picks. All very valid reason to fire everyone after 2020. But I think the no losing seasons and 2 of 3 playoff years made it tough to fire them. There were a lot of disaster situations, but no disaster season from Nagy/Pace combo. Obviously, you shouldn't wait for a disaster to get rid of something that's not working, but I think the difference was that playoff game they were able to squeeze into.

 

This is about the worst case scenario of the "high draft pick QB on rookie contract GO FOR IT" model. The Bears are easily on the worse end of this scale because of their imbalance in money spent on defense. You spend a ton on offensive line and weapons and the QB/OC/HC can't scheme ot motivate, you sway out whatever pieces and the talent is still there. The Bears didn't have enough offensive talent and were very heavy on defense so there was no quick fix.

 

I agree that it would be hard to move on after missing the playoffs for the first time, but as you said, it was obvious that the 2019 and 2020 teams were not going on a deep playoff run. I would have loved to have been in the room for the meeting beween Pace/Nagy and ownership after 2020. "How are you going to fix it?" There was no good answer from Pace and Nagy except "gimme another vet QB, I have one I like. No, not that one, another one." How McCaskey and Phillips ended that meeting demanding progress from Pace/Nagy was just an astonishing decision unless neither one knows jack squat about the game. Watch the games and it should be obvious, but they blew that decision.

 

This would have led to a 2020 with Foles entrenched as the starter going in. Foles would suck and eventually miss time to injury and the tank would have been on in completely natural form.

 

The quick fix would have been what the Dolphins did. They didn't have the draft capital to trade for Tyreke Hill, but they could have gone for Amari Cooper and signed Armstead, a guard, Cedric Wilson or whoever else they did. I think most Bears fans would be ecstatic with that type of offseason. But that's wasn't really realistic in the Bears situation.

 

I think the goal of this regime is to have some pieces is place on offense for 2023. Fields obviously is the biggest piece. But they're hoping Jenkins, Mooney, and probably at least 2 of the Day 2 picks this year (WR, OL) are big pieces as well. Guys like Patrick, Kmet, Pringle, and Borom could be smaller pieces. If those big pieces work out, then you're probably 1 more early draft pick and a FA signing on the OL away from being a pretty solid offense.

 

2023 offense:

Qb- Fields

RB- Herbert, whoever (Montgomery a FA)

WR- Mooney, 2022 2nd round pick, 2023 2nd round pick?

TE- Kmet

LT- 2023 1st round pick? Should be top 10

LG- 2023 FA?

C- Patrick

RG- 2022 2nd/3rd round pick

RT- Jenkins

 

That's the makings of a talented young offense, with a couple vets on the OL and Mooney the vet at WR.

[minnesotacubsfan]

I'm more disappointed in Poles now then I was with Pace last year. He has cap space and needs, and has little to nothing to show for his efforts. Maybe his plan is right, but it looks entirely inept at the moment

 

I still think Fields can bounce back in a big way from his rookie year and all the Pace/Nagy bs the last few years, but it would be good if the GM and his coaches could help him out a bit. They haven't done horsefeathers thus far.

[jersey cubs fan]

I agree that it would be hard to move on after missing the playoffs for the first time, but as you said, it was obvious that the 2019 and 2020 teams were not going on a deep playoff run. I would have loved to have been in the room for the meeting beween Pace/Nagy and ownership after 2020. "How are you going to fix it?" There was no good answer from Pace and Nagy except "gimme another vet QB, I have one I like. No, not that one, another one." How McCaskey and Phillips ended that meeting demanding progress from Pace/Nagy was just an astonishing decision unless neither one knows jack squat about the game. Watch the games and it should be obvious, but they blew that decision.

 

This would have led to a 2020 with Foles entrenched as the starter going in. Foles would suck and eventually miss time to injury and the tank would have been on in completely natural form.

 

I think it was as simple as convincing them they could make the offense better. All they had to do was score more points. They didn’t have to win 10 games or make the playoffs. They were in a good spot to get a new QB, took the shot on the right guy and had a chance. There’s no reason why competent coaching couldn’t have gotten the job done in 2021. It was not a hopeless situation. If Nagy managed to show some forward momentum with the offense the same group gets to bring back more players in 2022 and try and develop Fields. But they showed nothing. There was zero sign of life with any of the QBs. They didn’t score. They had another losing streak and vets quit on the coach. It was not an inevitable situation, other than the fact Nagy sucked.

[raw]

I'm more disappointed in Poles now then I was with Pace last year. He has cap space and needs, and has little to nothing to show for his efforts. Maybe his plan is right, but it looks entirely inept at the moment

 

I still think Fields can bounce back in a big way from his rookie year and all the Pace/Nagy bs the last few years, but it would be good if the GM and his coaches could help him out a bit. They haven't done horsefeathers thus far.

 

Problem isn't Poles, it's your expectations. Poles wasn't going to come in and build this team into a contender with 5 draft picks, little cap room, and like 23 players under contract. What's the threshold for you to be ok with what he's done? Did you want to pay Christian Kirk 19M per season? Did you want to trade 1 or more of the limited draft picks just for the right to pay a WR 20-25Mil/year (Cooper, Hill, Adams)? He tried to add Bates, but the deal was matched? They were in on other linemen who got paid more than they were willing to pay, and probably went to teams closer to winning than the Bears are.

 

I would have liked a stud lineman or proven WR as much as anyone else, but the only reason why you are disappointed is because he didn't do what you wanted him to do, not because of what he's done/hasn't done. If the Bears had signed Terron Armstead and traded for Robert Woods (using him because his trade value and contract are most reasonable of the deals made) they'd still be a team that's not good enough to seriously compete for a Superbowl, maybe not even a playoff spot. If you're that far away and need 21 other players, there's really not a point in hampering your future ability to add players by giving 15M/year to a 30+ year old or trading draft picks for a big salary or injury risk, in Woods' case.

 

The GM and the coaching is the help this year. Clearly those were huge issues for Fields last year, by his own admission at least in the Cleveland game. Just relax and give it more than 2 months.