Chicago Bears Offseason Thread (the tank must payoff)

[Soul]

I trust my eyes on this one. The Bears' pass blocking was horrendous last year. Maybe Fields is still a sack magnet but I watched a line really struggle winning their assignments.

[bukie]

Signing reactions from the Athletic:

 

Bears add LB T.J. Edwards

Edwards goes to Chicago for $19.5 million over three years, according to reports.

 

The native of Lake Villa, Ill., who grew up idolizing Brian Urlacher, now will anchor the Bears defense after a season in which he racked up a career-high 159 tackles (99 solo, 10 for a loss) for the Eagles. It’s a much-needed addition for a Bears defense that ranked 31st in the league, surrendering 157.3 rushing yards a game.

 

Grade: A

 

Bears score LB Tremaine Edmunds

The former Bills playmaker lands a four-year, $72 million contract, featuring $50 million in guaranteed money.

 

After yielding 375.9 yards per game (fourth-most) and a league-high 27.2 points per game, Chicago’s intentions of improving its defense are clear. The Bears opened free agency by adding T.J. Edwards from Philly. Now they get the highly coveted Edmunds, who was No. 8 on The Athletic’s ranking of free agents (and No. 2 linebacker), to further fortify their defensive front. Boasting great size (6-5, 250) and athleticism, Edmunds makes plays all over the field whether against the run, as a pass-rusher or in pass coverage.

 

Grade: A

 

Bears add G Nate Davis

Continuing their aggressive approach, the Bears address their offensive line as well. Davis is getting three years and $30 million, according to The Athletic’s Jeff Howe.

 

When healthy, the former Titan and No. 2 guard in The Athletic’s free-agent rankings played at a Pro Bowl level. But injuries slowed him in 2021 and 2022. If he can return to his top form and remain on the field, Davis will improve a line that surrendered 58 sacks last season (fourth-most in the NFL).

 

Grade: B

[WrigleyField 22]

I trust my eyes on this one. The Bears' pass blocking was horrendous last year. Maybe Fields is still a sack magnet but I watched a line really struggle winning their assignments.

If Fields isn't ever a bottom 5 sack rate guy I'll actually be pleasantly surprised. But that still leaves room for the OL to improve by several ticks even if Fields is "typical high sack QB". Is Fields like a full standard deviation worse from other high sack QBs? Because that's basically where you have to be to be ESPN trying like hell to support PRWR to ends of earth.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Even without the eye teest, I don't think you can get to a sack/pressure rate that bad without both the offensive line being really bad and Fields being a sack magnet. One or the other alone won't get you to 15% sack rate.

[jersey cubs fan]

Even without the eye teest, I don't think you can get to a sack/pressure rate that bad without both the offensive line being really bad and Fields being a sack magnet. One or the other alone won't get you to 15% sack rate.

Plus worst receiver group in the league.

[minnesotacubsfan]

Even without the eye teest, I don't think you can get to a sack/pressure rate that bad without both the offensive line being really bad and Fields being a sack magnet. One or the other alone won't get you to 15% sack rate.

Do you mean eye teets? Cuz those would be extraordinary

[WrigleyField 22]

Even without the eye teest, I don't think you can get to a sack/pressure rate that bad without both the offensive line being really bad and Fields being a sack magnet. One or the other alone won't get you to 15% sack rate.

Do you mean eye teets? Cuz those would be extraordinary

Think he means eye testes

[minnesotacubsfan]

Booooo I like my translation better

[UMFan83]

 

The native of Lake Villa, Ill., who grew up idolizing Brian Urlacher

 

On the field only I pray

[UMFan83]

I have decided that we're reached the "random internet rumor" portion of the offseason

 

[WrigleyField 22]

I have decided that we're reached the "random internet rumor" portion of the offseason

 

I think that guy may get some legit rumors. Not sure he's super plugged in and I can't remember any specific calls he had before, but I don't *think* he's just straight making it up.

[bukie]

No, no we haven't.

[UK]

Ideal signings for the remainder...

 

Orlando Brown-LT

Sheldon Rankins -DT 3 technique

A'Shawn Robinson -DT 1 technique

 

Draft focuses on DE, CB, Interior line, HB.

 

I'm not an Orlando Brown fan. He wants to be paid top LT money, and he's not a top 5 LT. He's also not a good fit to move around in the outside zone run game. That being said, the Bears are desperate to A) improve the pass blocking and B) spend a bunch of money. And Brown checks both those boxes.

 

I'm thinking.

 

Orlando Brown- LT/RT

A'Shawn Robinson- 1-tech

Samson Ebukam- Edge

And if Ekeler is available, go get him. Trade one of the 2nds for him + a future pick no higher than a 3rd/4th. The Bears still could use an additional weapon and he caught 107 passes last year, and they can afford to pay him with the top RBs in the league.

Maybe add a CB. Maybe add a TE2.

Draft Jalen Carter at 9. Draft a DE in the 2nd.

 

That gives you a DL of:

Ebukam, Carter, A'Shawn, Walker on run downs

Ebukam, Walker, Carter, Draft pick (Ojulari?, I'd like a smaller pass rush specialist type) on passing downs. Mix in Justin Jones, Dominique Robinson and Gipson.

 

OL is: Brown, Davis, C (Patrick or 2nd rounder), Jenkins, Jones

 

Ekeler and Herbert in the backfield.

 

Brown will be a good LT paid great LT money, I agree they will need to overpay him. I know Tunsil might be a FA next year as well as the LTs being much better in next year's draft but I don't think Fields can survive much more of this before long-term effects start showing more.

 

Sign

Brown-LT

Rankins-3T

Robinson-1T

Key-DE pass rusher

 

Draft

Robinson -HB (unless Carter is there) 1st

Best interior lineman available. 2nd

DE- 2nd

DB -2nd

 

OL-

Brown

Davis

Avila-TCU

Jenkins

Jones/Borom

 

Robinson/Herbert HBs

 

D

 

DL

Walker

Rankins

Robinson

Hall-Auburn

 

 

DBs-Brants KSU

[UMFan83]

Speaking of RBs, not a peep about Montgomery that I've seen. The Eagles signed Penny, which could just be running back depth, but could also mean that Miles Sanders will be elsewhere next year. A few names to watch...I don't think the Bears want Herbert to be a primary 3 down back heading into the season.

 

Outside of those guys you are looking at names like Jamaal Williams (hmm...one of the best blocking backs, thrives in a timeshare, but a bit old), Mattison, Kareem Hunt, Fournette, D'Onta Foreman, Singletary, James Robinson, or the draft.

 

Actually don't hate a Herbert/Jamaal Williams timeshare, though his 17 (!!!!) rushing TDs last year might make him overpriced even if his other metrics are only slightly above average. If the Bears value a back who is more of a receiving threat though, it may not work.

[UMFan83]

https://www.windycitygridiron.com/2023/3/14/23639429/nfl-free-agency-scout-chicago-bears-1st-day-recap-insider-tremaine-edmunds-nate-davis-tj-edwards?utm_campaign=windycitygridiron&utm_content=chorus&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter

 

Some intel from Gabriel on some of the bigger names that the Bears were expected to go after yesterday but didn't land:

 

Going into yesterday, it was believed the Chicago Bears were going after people like Javon Hargrave, Dre'Mont Jones, and Mike McGlinchey. The truth is they bowed out on Jones long before yesterday began, never considered Hargrave because of his age, and walked away from McGlinchey more than an hour before his deal with Denver was announced.

 

The Insiders put out that Dre'Mont Jones market was approaching $18M+ and rising, and that was over the weekend, not yesterday. The truth is when the negotiation window opened yesterday, the real price wasn't near that figure, and the Bears had bowed out of the competition long before yesterday.

 

The Bears had a price limit for Jones, and it wasn't close to $18M; in fact, it wasn't close to $16M. Yes, they would have liked to sign the player, but not at a price way over what they felt he was worth.

 

The Bears' chief negotiator is Cliff Stein, and Cliff is one of the best in the business. Yesterday I tweeted that out, and former Eagles and Browns President Joe Banner promptly replied not one of the best, THE best!"

[jersey cubs fan]

https://www.windycitygridiron.com/2023/3/14/23639429/nfl-free-agency-scout-chicago-bears-1st-day-recap-insider-tremaine-edmunds-nate-davis-tj-edwards?utm_campaign=windycitygridiron&utm_content=chorus&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter

 

Some intel from Gabriel

I don’t believe you dot gif

[minnesotacubsfan]

https://www.windycitygridiron.com/2023/3/14/23639429/nfl-free-agency-scout-chicago-bears-1st-day-recap-insider-tremaine-edmunds-nate-davis-tj-edwards?utm_campaign=windycitygridiron&utm_content=chorus&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter

 

Some intel from Gabriel on some of the bigger names that the Bears were expected to go after yesterday but didn't land:

 

Going into yesterday, it was believed the Chicago Bears were going after people like Javon Hargrave, Dre'Mont Jones, and Mike McGlinchey. The truth is they bowed out on Jones long before yesterday began, never considered Hargrave because of his age, and walked away from McGlinchey more than an hour before his deal with Denver was announced.

 

The Insiders put out that Dre'Mont Jones market was approaching $18M+ and rising, and that was over the weekend, not yesterday. The truth is when the negotiation window opened yesterday, the real price wasn't near that figure, and the Bears had bowed out of the competition long before yesterday.

 

The Bears had a price limit for Jones, and it wasn't close to $18M; in fact, it wasn't close to $16M. Yes, they would have liked to sign the player, but not at a price way over what they felt he was worth.

 

The Bears' chief negotiator is Cliff Stein, and Cliff is one of the best in the business. Yesterday I tweeted that out, and former Eagles and Browns President Joe Banner promptly replied not one of the best, THE best!"

Nooooooow were into the "some random twitter guy" part of FA

[We Got The Whole 9]

I don't like having a hardline stance on 30 year old FA. I would have paid that man the money.

 

Sent from my motorola one 5G UW using Tapatalk

[UMFan83]

horsefeathers it, I opened up the can of worms, more twitter reporting

 

https://twitter.com/_MLFootball/status/1635749389174964224

 

ML football has 50,000 followers and claims in their bio: "Independent NFL reporter approved by the NFL and NFLPA." which I realize anyone can just say and plus wtf does that mean? Obviously take with gigantic grain of salt and apologies in advance when this is way wrong.

[WrigleyField 22]

Don't trust that account one bit.

 

Anyways I've been pretty reserved about the unrepented Stein love from Chicago media and fans. Banner's ringing endorsement doesn't give me tons of comfort either. Little I've seen from him, he suffers from dumb person cap math for sure.

[jersey cubs fan]

Don't trust that account one bit.

 

Anyways I've been pretty reserved about the unrepented Stein love from Chicago media and fans. Banner's ringing endorsement doesn't give me tons of comfort either. Little I've seen from him, he suffers from dumb person cap math for sure.

Yeah, I mean outside of Phillips he’s the closest thing to a lifer in this upper ranks of this organization and has to be viewed with a tremendous amount of skepticism.

[bukie]

horsefeathers it, I opened up the can of worms, more twitter reporting

 

https://twitter.com/_MLFootball/status/1635749389174964224

 

ML football has 50,000 followers and claims in their bio: "Independent NFL reporter approved by the NFL and NFLPA." which I realize anyone can just say and plus wtf does that mean? Obviously take with gigantic grain of salt and apologies in advance when this is way wrong.

 

The account is subscribed to Twitter Blue, has an "MFL" logo, and already changed the tweet to say a deal hasn't been done.

 

Step away from the keyboard for a while.

[UMFan83]

horsefeathers it, I opened up the can of worms, more twitter reporting

 

https://twitter.com/_MLFootball/status/1635749389174964224

 

ML football has 50,000 followers and claims in their bio: "Independent NFL reporter approved by the NFL and NFLPA." which I realize anyone can just say and plus wtf does that mean? Obviously take with gigantic grain of salt and apologies in advance when this is way wrong.

 

The account is subscribed to Twitter Blue, has an "MFL" logo, and already changed the tweet to say a deal hasn't been done.

 

Step away from the keyboard for a while.

 

chill dude, I'm just posting what I see and made it clear to take with a grain of salt.

[WrigleyField 22]

Don't trust that account one bit.

 

Anyways I've been pretty reserved about the unrepented Stein love from Chicago media and fans. Banner's ringing endorsement doesn't give me tons of comfort either. Little I've seen from him, he suffers from dumb person cap math for sure.

Yeah, I mean outside of Phillips he’s the closest thing to a lifer in this upper ranks of this organization and has to be viewed with a tremendous amount of skepticism.

Greg Gabriel love also a red flag.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

I really like the way Poles approaches asset management. I like that we went rebuild, I like that he seems to be into accumulating picks, I like that he takes a hard line on age.

 

I don't like that the end product he's working towards is the cliche Bears football of defense and run blocking, but I like the approach.