Chicago Bears Offseason Thread (the tank must payoff)

[UMFan83]

Here's what I want to see the Bears doing with their draft and cap space capital:

 

1. Use their enormous cap space to take on some high price cap casualties from other teams that are still extremely productive, particularly on the OL and DL. Set the market, they have double the cap space of any other team.

2. Use the #1 pick to net 4-5 day 1 picks, either using all picks to shore up the lines and add a skill player or two, or trade one of the picks for a high end #1 WR. Would feel much better if the WR corps next year is a top 10 WR at WR1, Claypool at WR2 with Mooney at WR3 with a draft pick or two filling in the gaps. Maybe the team could run a 4 WR set, who knows?

3. Use the high back round picks to turn into more quantity, draft a bunch of back end depth for the lines, defensive backs, and an additional couple skill positions (RB, TE, WR).

4. After the draft, fill in the gaps with the remaining cap space.

 

Day 1 is only the 1st round. They aren't getting 4-5 1st round picks

 

They're doing a 3 day draft this year? I thought it was 1-2 the first day? Or is it 1 the first day, 2-7 the next?

 

For the last several years its been 1st round on Thurday, 2-3 and Friday, 4-7 on Saturday

[David]

Here's what I want to see the Bears doing with their draft and cap space capital:

 

1. Use their enormous cap space to take on some high price cap casualties from other teams that are still extremely productive, particularly on the OL and DL. Set the market, they have double the cap space of any other team.

2. Use the #1 pick to net 4-5 day 1 picks, either using all picks to shore up the lines and add a skill player or two, or trade one of the picks for a high end #1 WR. Would feel much better if the WR corps next year is a top 10 WR at WR1, Claypool at WR2 with Mooney at WR3 with a draft pick or two filling in the gaps. Maybe the team could run a 4 WR set, who knows?

3. Use the high back round picks to turn into more quantity, draft a bunch of back end depth for the lines, defensive backs, and an additional couple skill positions (RB, TE, WR).

4. After the draft, fill in the gaps with the remaining cap space.

 

Day 1 is only the 1st round. They aren't getting 4-5 1st round picks

 

Yeah I made this same mistake a few days back before I realized day 1 is only round 1. Then I realized that that has been the case since 2010. god damn we are old.

[bukie]

Here's what I want to see the Bears doing with their draft and cap space capital:

 

1. Use their enormous cap space to take on some high price cap casualties from other teams that are still extremely productive, particularly on the OL and DL. Set the market, they have double the cap space of any other team.

2. Use the #1 pick to net 4-5 day 1 picks, either using all picks to shore up the lines and add a skill player or two, or trade one of the picks for a high end #1 WR. Would feel much better if the WR corps next year is a top 10 WR at WR1, Claypool at WR2 with Mooney at WR3 with a draft pick or two filling in the gaps. Maybe the team could run a 4 WR set, who knows?

3. Use the high back round picks to turn into more quantity, draft a bunch of back end depth for the lines, defensive backs, and an additional couple skill positions (RB, TE, WR).

4. After the draft, fill in the gaps with the remaining cap space.

 

Day 1 is only the 1st round. They aren't getting 4-5 1st round picks

That's my mistake, I'm not used to the Bears having first day picks.

 

First two days, I mean, then. 4-5 picks over the first couple rounds, or at worst first two rounds and high third.

[minnesotacubsfan]

 

Day 1 is only the 1st round. They aren't getting 4-5 1st round picks

 

They're doing a 3 day draft this year? I thought it was 1-2 the first day? Or is it 1 the first day, 2-7 the next?

 

For the last several years its been 1st round on Thurday, 2-3 and Friday, 4-7 on Saturday

Ahhh right, I forgot they start on Thursday nights w/rd1

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Stroud still hasn't declared. Deadline is Monday.

 

I still bet he does. But if he didn't that should be good for the bears

[David]

Stroud still hasn't declared. Deadline is Monday.

 

I still bet he does. But if he didn't that should be good for the bears

 

**gestures broadly at the last page**

[WrigleyField 22]

Watch Stroud be the QB Ballard was willing to move heavens for and this actually hurts the Bears trade back packages.

 

#OnlyMyTeams

[minnesotacubsfan]

Watch Stroud be the QB Ballard was willing to move heavens for and this actually hurts the Bears trade back packages.

 

#OnlyMyTeams

 

who cares, get what you can and stop playing victim Sulley

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Stroud still hasn't declared. Deadline is Monday.

 

I still bet he does. But if he didn't that should be good for the bears

 

**gestures broadly at the last page**

 

[Tryptamine]

If Stroud stays, you would have like 10 teams in a bidding war. The gap between Young and Will Levis is pretty huge. That would be pretty much best case scenario.

[Splendid Splinter]

Stroud still hasn't declared. Deadline is Monday.

 

I still bet he does. But if he didn't that should be good for the bears

 

Doesn’t he have til Thursday technically? Isn’t there a 3 day period where a player can reconsider after the deadline? So he can declare he’s staying at OSU today for the deadline, but then change his mind on Weds if he wanted. Friday is the “official” day. Or am I wrong? Thought I saw this in an article recently.

[WrigleyField 22]

Stroud still hasn't declared. Deadline is Monday.

 

I still bet he does. But if he didn't that should be good for the bears

 

Doesn’t he have til Thursday technically? Isn’t there a 3 day period where a player can reconsider after the deadline? So he can declare he’s staying at OSU today for the deadline, but then change his mind on Weds if he wanted. Friday is the “official” day. Or am I wrong? Thought I saw this in an article recently.

Does it only go the other way? You can declare and then retract within the grace period?

[UMFan83]

Stroud still hasn't declared. Deadline is Monday.

 

I still bet he does. But if he didn't that should be good for the bears

 

Doesn’t he have til Thursday technically? Isn’t there a 3 day period where a player can reconsider after the deadline? So he can declare he’s staying at OSU today for the deadline, but then change his mind on Weds if he wanted. Friday is the “official” day. Or am I wrong? Thought I saw this in an article recently.

Does it only go the other way? You can declare and then retract within the grace period?

 

Yeah...those that have declared for the draft have 72 hours after the deadline to change their minds

[Splendid Splinter]

 

Doesn’t he have til Thursday technically? Isn’t there a 3 day period where a player can reconsider after the deadline? So he can declare he’s staying at OSU today for the deadline, but then change his mind on Weds if he wanted. Friday is the “official” day. Or am I wrong? Thought I saw this in an article recently.

Does it only go the other way? You can declare and then retract within the grace period?

 

Yeah...those that have declared for the draft have 72 hours after the deadline to change their minds

 

Ok thanks! Must’ve misread it then.

[gflore34]

Read the Colts are enamored with Will Levis given this think they'd go something like Pittman, 2023 1st, 2023 2nd, 2024 1st to the Bears for the number 1 pick? Pittman fits the Poles model for a WR and, I believe there's a good chance a QB needy team is going to try and make deal for Cardinals' pick at 3. Leaving Poles with the opportunity to draft Will Anderson at 4 of course, this falls through if Stroud decides to stay at OSU. Was thinking if Stroud declares some permutation of Levis, Young and Stroud goes 1-3, leaving Anderson or Carter for the Bears.

[raw]

Read the Colts are enamored with Will Levis given this think they'd go something like Pittman, 2023 1st, 2023 2nd, 2024 1st to the Bears for the number 1 pick? Pittman fits the Poles model for a WR and, I believe there's a good chance a QB needy team is going to try and make deal for Cardinals' pick at 3. Leaving Poles with the opportunity to draft Will Anderson at 4 of course, this falls through if Stroud decides to stay at OSU. Was thinking if Stroud declares some permutation of Levis, Young and Stroud goes 1-3, leaving Anderson or Carter for the Bears.

 

There's 0 chance I'm buying that the Colts love Will Levis today enough to be willing to know they are ready to move up for #1 him. The season just ended last week. They didn't even know they would have a chance to trade to #1 until middle of Sunday afternoon. And they haven't even legally spoken to Levis yet. It's possible they are in love with the size and the arm strength, but there's no way they can decide to make a franchise altering trade for him a week after the season based on his college tape. Nor can they be ready to make that decision before they even interview or workout the guy. He could be a bumbling idiot in interviews and put up a single digit Wonderlic. It's way too early for anyone to be enamored with anyone.

[UK]

I didn't see enough consistency from Levis to justify being ahead of Stroud and Young.

 

The size, mobility, and arm strength are there but his accuracy is below average as is his instincts.

 

I actually like the potential of Richardson more but him and Levis are mid 1st IMO.

 

Levis is not Josh Allen.

[gflore34]

Read the Colts are enamored with Will Levis given this think they'd go something like Pittman, 2023 1st, 2023 2nd, 2024 1st to the Bears for the number 1 pick? Pittman fits the Poles model for a WR and, I believe there's a good chance a QB needy team is going to try and make deal for Cardinals' pick at 3. Leaving Poles with the opportunity to draft Will Anderson at 4 of course, this falls through if Stroud decides to stay at OSU. Was thinking if Stroud declares some permutation of Levis, Young and Stroud goes 1-3, leaving Anderson or Carter for the Bears.

 

There's 0 chance I'm buying that the Colts love Will Levis today enough to be willing to know they are ready to move up for #1 him. The season just ended last week. They didn't even know they would have a chance to trade to #1 until middle of Sunday afternoon. And they haven't even legally spoken to Levis yet. It's possible they are in love with the size and the arm strength, but there's no way they can decide to make a franchise altering trade for him a week after the season based on his college tape. Nor can they be ready to make that decision before they even interview or workout the guy. He could be a bumbling idiot in interviews and put up a single digit Wonderlic. It's way too early for anyone to be enamored with anyone.

 

It is early you're probably correct, just something I read, nevertheless, I do believe the Raiders will try to deal with Bears and Cardinals. With the Cardinals being the more realistic possibility, if this happens, that sets up nicely for the Bears dealing with the Colts.

[UMFan83]

Stroud declared for the draft today

[WrigleyField 22]

I know conventional thoughts are that this is bad for Bears, but I think it could have a chance of offsetting some new demand with the increased supply. Stroud could be a goldilocks candidate for some teams:

 

Simplified, but basically:

Player     Prod    Tools   Size  Age
Young       x       x       -     x
Stroud      x       x       x     x
Levis       -       x       x     - 
Richardson  -       x       x     x

 

None of these guys are really similar in their profile and teams create preferences on certain traits. Like car buyers shopping between cars/trucks and foreign/domestic. It's not just "car supply"

[BigbadB]

I know conventional thoughts are that this is bad for Bears, but I think it could have a chance of offsetting some new demand with the increased supply. Stroud could be a goldilocks candidate for some teams:

 

Simplified, but basically:

Player     Prod    Tools   Size  Age
Young       x       x       -     x
Stroud      x       x       x     x
Levis       -       x       x     - 
Richardson  -       x       x     x

 

None of these guys are really similar in their profile and teams create preferences on certain traits. Like car buyers shopping between cars/trucks and foreign/domestic. It's not just "car supply"

 

I think it's more favorable that Stroud declared. While I don't think it changes much, I do see the potential of 3 QB's going with the first 3 picks, leaving Anderson sitting there at #4. While I don't know enough about any of these QB's to know that any of them are top of the draft worthy, there are a lot of teams interested in a QB this offseason. Some can afford to move draft capital more easily than spending on their limited cap space for Jimmy G. or Carr. We only really need Houston to want to move up to the first pick and Indy to want to move to the second pick. Raiders or Atlanta could want to move up to 3rd after they miss out on the first two QB's.

 

A guy can dream.

[gflore34]

I know conventional thoughts are that this is bad for Bears, but I think it could have a chance of offsetting some new demand with the increased supply. Stroud could be a goldilocks candidate for some teams:

 

Simplified, but basically:

Player     Prod    Tools   Size  Age
Young       x       x       -     x
Stroud      x       x       x     x
Levis       -       x       x     - 
Richardson  -       x       x     x

 

None of these guys are really similar in their profile and teams create preferences on certain traits. Like car buyers shopping between cars/trucks and foreign/domestic. It's not just "car supply"

 

I think it's more favorable that Stroud declared. While I don't think it changes much, I do see the potential of 3 QB's going with the first 3 picks, leaving Anderson sitting there at #4. While I don't know enough about any of these QB's to know that any of them are top of the draft worthy, there are a lot of teams interested in a QB this offseason. Some can afford to move draft capital more easily than spending on their limited cap space for Jimmy G. or Carr. We only really need Houston to want to move up to the first pick and Indy to want to move to the second pick. Raiders or Atlanta could want to move up to 3rd after they miss out on the first two QB's.

 

A guy can dream.

 

Probably going to end up much ado about nothing, the Bears will end up keeping the #1 pick taking Will Anderson. Wouldn't be too bad ending up with the best player in the draft.

[CubinNY]

I know conventional thoughts are that this is bad for Bears, but I think it could have a chance of offsetting some new demand with the increased supply. Stroud could be a goldilocks candidate for some teams:

 

Simplified, but basically:

Player     Prod    Tools   Size  Age
Young       x       x       -     x
Stroud      x       x       x     x
Levis       -       x       x     - 
Richardson  -       x       x     x

 

None of these guys are really similar in their profile and teams create preferences on certain traits. Like car buyers shopping between cars/trucks and foreign/domestic. It's not just "car supply"

It's more like a Venn diagram where they have overlapping skill sets, but not necessarily with all of them at the same spot. Same with each player's weak spots. But, I agree it just depends on what the team's front offices key on. Young has the highest "football IQ"/game awareness, but he's not the most gifted physically. If he were five inches taller there wouldn't be any question that he is the clear #1.

[WrigleyField 22]

I know conventional thoughts are that this is bad for Bears, but I think it could have a chance of offsetting some new demand with the increased supply. Stroud could be a goldilocks candidate for some teams:

 

Simplified, but basically:

Player     Prod    Tools   Size  Age
Young       x       x       -     x
Stroud      x       x       x     x
Levis       -       x       x     - 
Richardson  -       x       x     x

 

None of these guys are really similar in their profile and teams create preferences on certain traits. Like car buyers shopping between cars/trucks and foreign/domestic. It's not just "car supply"

It's more like a Venn diagram where they have overlapping skill sets, but not necessarily with all of them at the same spot. Same with each player's weak spots. But, I agree it just depends on what the team's front offices key on. Young has the highest "football IQ"/game awareness, but he's not the most gifted physically. If he were five inches taller there wouldn't be any question that he is the clear #1.

Yea certainly more nuanced than my chart.

 

And, yea, I think if he had better size, he'd be a clear #1. What's he actually expected to come in at? He's listed at 6'0" 194, but seems like consensus is he's gonna measure smaller on both, by a lot. If he somehow measured at that height/weight he may clear the hurdle just enough for some teams who would be out if he's 5'10" 180.

[BigbadB]

I know conventional thoughts are that this is bad for Bears, but I think it could have a chance of offsetting some new demand with the increased supply. Stroud could be a goldilocks candidate for some teams:

 

Simplified, but basically:

Player     Prod    Tools   Size  Age
Young       x       x       -     x
Stroud      x       x       x     x
Levis       -       x       x     - 
Richardson  -       x       x     x

 

None of these guys are really similar in their profile and teams create preferences on certain traits. Like car buyers shopping between cars/trucks and foreign/domestic. It's not just "car supply"

 

I think it's more favorable that Stroud declared. While I don't think it changes much, I do see the potential of 3 QB's going with the first 3 picks, leaving Anderson sitting there at #4. While I don't know enough about any of these QB's to know that any of them are top of the draft worthy, there are a lot of teams interested in a QB this offseason. Some can afford to move draft capital more easily than spending on their limited cap space for Jimmy G. or Carr. We only really need Houston to want to move up to the first pick and Indy to want to move to the second pick. Raiders or Atlanta could want to move up to 3rd after they miss out on the first two QB's.

 

A guy can dream.

 

 

Probably going to end up much ado about nothing, the Bears will end up keeping the #1 pick taking Will Anderson. Wouldn't be too bad ending up with the best player in the draft.

 

At the very least, they'll have a great deal being offered by the Colts.