2026 Chicago Bears Offseason Thread

[WrigleyField 22]

3 minutes ago, Bobson Dugnutt said:

Yeah I don’t think the falcons did anything devious here.

Cunningham got a title promotion, presumable a raise, and is said to be the lead decision maker for the falcons. Why this doesn’t result in comp picks for the bears is beyond me, but not sure I buy the Falcons were angling to screw the Bears.

Yea my issue the entire time is people thinking Atlanta cooked up a devious scheme. At worst Blank may have been influential in NFLs determination as he purportedly a powerful voice on diversity committee, but by every objective measure this structure is a strategic disadvantage for them. Now maybe they're taking their chance on that, but there's explicit risk in how they're structured now. 

[WrigleyField 22]

From FPAs own website (via the archive as they've modified it now) 

 

[NorthsideAvenger]

Braxton Jones re-signs for 1 year. I'm guessing no Decker.

[Bobson Dugnutt]

Our solution at LT is the guy that got benched for poor performance last year? Cool.

[WrigleyField 22]

13 minutes ago, Bobson Dugnutt said:

Our solution at LT is the guy that got benched for poor performance last year? Cool.

Technically got Wally Pipped

There were real concerns about his injury recovery dating back to like July. If a whole extra offseason and that IR time are well used and he's at his 23/24 level he's worth the 10m max he could get as a bridge (and then make call on Ozzy and his recovery) 

[MidoreX]

3 minutes ago, Bobson Dugnutt said:

Our solution at LT is the guy that got benched for poor performance last year? Cool.

I don't hate it as a one year contract. He was an average-ish starter before his injury, and was clearly not fully recovered last year. If he still doesn't have it at 100% recovered you switch the Theo until Ozzy is (hopefully) back down the stretch.

Similar to C, it allows you to draft an LT if one you like falls to you. If that happens you're in a better spot if Ozzy is never the same, OR if they play well enough to hold down the position AND Trapilo comes back and looks like the same player you have a good problem of too many talented tackled and maybe kick one inside to G as Jonah or Thuney continue to age or get more expensive. 

 

[Tryptamine]

Well this Oline has taken a substantial downgrade 

[Bobson Dugnutt]

13 minutes ago, WrigleyField 22 said:

Technically got Wally Pipped

There were real concerns about his injury recovery dating back to like July. If a whole extra offseason and that IR time are well used and he's at his 23/24 level he's worth the 10m max he could get as a bridge (and then make call on Ozzy and his recovery) 

Pipped by Benedet who was then Pipped by Trapilo? The rare double Pipp!

Edited March 9 by Bobson Dugnutt

[Bobson Dugnutt]

I’ve never been a big Braxton Jones guy so I’m bringing my own biases, but even pre-injury he got blown up enough that I considered him safely below average. I was open to him as a stopgap before we went with the below average stopgap in Bradbury. Now we’re one injury to our three worthwhile linemen away from a pretty dire situation.

[The_Achiever]

Really like what the Bears did today.  They have more info on Braxton than anyone.  

Can go bpa for basically all of their draft picks.  2 DL, 1 LB, 1 DB, 1 OL, 1 WR 1 Whatever in the draft.  

[Old Style]

The Rooney Rule is a damn joke. It’s nothing more than performative horsefeathers for the league to act like they care about non-white coaches/front office personnel. 

[NorthsideAvenger]

7 minutes ago, Tryptamine said:

Well this Oline has taken a substantial downgrade 

Let's just say, I don't see the Bears drafting at 25. My expectation is that the Bears will trade down and get more picks.

Edited March 9 by NorthsideAvenger

[Bobson Dugnutt]

I like the Bush and Bryant signings. You can’t fill every hole via free agency. But it sucks that we’re worse at center and LT and haven’t improved the pass rush.

[Bobson Dugnutt]

2 minutes ago, NorthsideAvenger said:

Let's just say, I don't see the Bears drafting at 25. My expectation is that the Bears will trade down and get more picks.

Why?

[WrigleyField 22]

15 minutes ago, Bobson Dugnutt said:

I’ve never been a big Braxton Jones guy so I’m bringing my own biases, but even pre-injury he got blown up enough that I considered him safely below average. I was open to him as a stopgap before we went with the below average stopgap in Bradbury. Now we’re one injury to our three worthwhile linemen away from a pretty dire situation.

Yea, I'd prefer something like Decker at 15-17 on a one year deal, so it will be interesting to see what he gets. 

But it could turn into a birdd in the hand worth two in the bush situation. Decker just got cut. Brax may have other opportunities.  There aren't that many replacement level OTs. 

 

Edited March 10 by WrigleyField 22

[The_Achiever]

1 minute ago, Bobson Dugnutt said:

Why?

It's a deep draft for what the Bears need (DE, LB, S).  JMO.  

[Derwood]

[Bobson Dugnutt]

44 minutes ago, The_Achiever said:

It's a deep draft for what the Bears need (DE, LB, S).  JMO.  

Every year people clamor to trade down, but the Bears need quality, not quantity. They are still low on top tier talent.  I don’t need to see more Shemar Turners and Gervon Dexters. Also, Poles’ track record outside of the first round is pretty poor. Keep the first rounder and grab the best non QB / TE / Wr available.

Edited March 10 by Bobson Dugnutt

[minnesotacubsfan]

1 minute ago, Bobson Dugnutt said:

Every year people clamor to trade down, but the Bears need quality, not quantity. They are still low on top tier talent.  I don’t need to see more Shamar Turners and Gervon Dexters. Also, Poles’ track record outside of the first round is pretty poor. Keep the first rounder and grab the best non QB / TE / Wr available.

WRONG! on Dexter

 

Dexter is top 3 in sacks from DT last season, he's actually trending up and one of the best players the Bears have drafted on D in the last 5 years

 

the rest of what you are getting at is true

 

 

[The_Achiever]

7 minutes ago, Bobson Dugnutt said:

Every year people clamor to trade down, but the Bears need quality, not quantity. They are still low on top tier talent.  I don’t need to see more Shamar Turners and Gervon Dexters. Also, Poles’ track record outside of the first round is pretty poor. Keep the first rounder and grab the best non QB / TE / Wr available.

I think addressing every hole before the draft allows them to draft for upside and talent.   I know everyone likes the splash FA but the Bears have so many needs I loved how they shared the sugar.  

[Bobson Dugnutt]

6 minutes ago, minnesotacubsfan said:

WRONG! on Dexter

 

Dexter is top 3 in sacks from DT last season, he's actually trending up and one of the best players the Bears have drafted on D in the last 5 years

 

the rest of what you are getting at is true

 

 

He’s not a disruptive player. He doesn’t draw doubles, disappears for multiple game stretches every year. Slow reaction time. Fine piece to have on the team, but not a top end player.

[minnesotacubsfan]

1 minute ago, Bobson Dugnutt said:

He’s not a disruptive player. He doesn’t draw doubles, disappears for multiple game stretches every year. Slow reaction time. Fine piece to have on the team, but not a top end player.

getting 6 sacks from a 6-6 330 dt is better than fine

 

I think the term you are looking for is "MONTEZ SWEAT"

[Bobson Dugnutt]

4 minutes ago, The_Achiever said:

I think addressing every hole before the draft allows them to draft for upside and talent.   I know everyone likes the splash FA but the Bears have so many needs I loved how they shared the sugar.  

Mostly agree, but it’s frustrating that we’re heading into year 4 of Poles and every FA period and draft that passes without improvement on the DLine end every time it’s just “welp whaddya gonna do? FAs are expensive. The draft board didn’t fall our way.” At a certain point you gotta just find a way to fix it.

[Bobson Dugnutt]

3 minutes ago, minnesotacubsfan said:

getting 6 sacks from a 6-6 330 dt is better than fine

 

I think the term you are looking for is "MONTEZ SWEAT"

Nope, looking for Gervon Dexter. Many weeks of his career I’ve found myself looking for him. Alas, he was nowhere to be found.

[minnesotacubsfan]

1 minute ago, Bobson Dugnutt said:

Nope, looking for Gervon Dexter. Many weeks of his career I’ve found myself looking for him. Alas, he was nowhere to be found.

well, you can be wrong