WrigleyField 22

Yeah, I've been putting some stuff together. I think the Bears re-sign Daniels. I'd really like to see him in a different offense that doesn't feature a bunch of shotgun snaps on pure passing downs with 5 man blocking schemes with no chips from RB or TE. I think we could see guys perform better across the board simply with a scheme change. And if you want to improve on Daniels, you're likely getting older (he's the youngest FA in the league) and just as expensive. Cheaper guys may not be as good. The big money guys (Scherff) aren't going to be attainable (also cancels out comp for ARob if you spend that much). ARob for sure in the 3/4 range. The goal should be to keep that pick. So, you aren't going to be able to sign anyone in that price range (12-18Mil AAV). I don't know if Graham will even play next year, but assuming guys like Dalton, Ifedi, and Hicks get signed early enough, that allows 3 UFAs you're able to sign in the 4-10M AAV range. I'm 50/50 on Nichols. Probably lose Hicks and cut Goldman, so losing all 3 starters from a deep DL would hurt a bunch. Then there's still Edwards who is an ass that probably should be cut as well. So, you're choosing between Nichols and a FA of a similar tier, likely also at DL since now you'd need talent there. And like Daniels, Nichols is one of the younger guys in a weak DL class. I'd also look heavy at the cap casualties. One guy that comes to mind is Brandin Cooks, who I'm pretty sure the Texans won't pay. Not sure if they'll cut him or trade him though. If they do cut him, a guy like him would be a no-brainer IMO. IF they trade him, probably won't be for more than a 5th or 6th, and I'd do that if it's a 2023 pick. I do love Christian Kirk, but I'd rather bring in a guy for 1-2 year (Will Fuller, DJ Chark) rather than signing a non-#1 option to a multi-year deal. Draft a top WR, sign a compliment. But don't pay a compliment long-term money. Other than that, short term deals. Lottery tickets. I think that's part of the appeal of a defensive HC. He'd know guys that fit in the scheme, and the D is where the Bears really need most of their depth. They really only need 3 starters on offense. 2 WRs and 1 OL (if they keep Daniels). They can draft 2 of those with the first 2 picks. On D, they need starters at ILB, SS, CB, maybe nickel, DL (maybe 2 spots) and depth at DL, LB, and safety. A defensive guy like Eberflus, Flores, or god forbid, even Frazier could find some nice depth pieces for cheap from their experience. Ideally I'd like to leave draft as wide open as possible and not be in a position to force anything. But if forced, I'd splurge on offense in FA then use those first two picks on D. Maybe trade down and pick up another top 100 pick. Feel like I've seen good things written about CB, DL, and LB in the draft. If they do go with a defensive head coach it's looks like it's likely to be a Tampa-2 tree guy (or other 4-3 coach). So the DL problem is shifted a little, but then you need another off ball LB instead. They're not gonna find a Tommie Harris like talent at 3T, but they only have one good LB now. With as much nickel is played the SAM spot wouldn't be too bad to fill, maybe Attachou could fill that even? Smith could arguable by Mike or Will, but maybe depends on the other guy, which is a huge question mark.

^From that same article, Hicks (2/17) and Daniels (5/50) are listed as top target for LAC and NYG respectively. Other Bears FA with estimated values Allen Robinson, 3/48 Germain Ifedi, 2/13 Surprised Bilal didn't make the top 100 list. But hes young and DT isn't super deep so he might still make a decent contract in FA. But that would put 5 Bears in likely comp pick range with probably Dalton and Graham to also be maybe comp pick range. So if all 7 were CFAs signing qualifying deals, Bears could sign 6 CFAs and still get a comp pick. ARob would probably be borderline 3/4 at 16M. Daniels a 4/5, Hicks and Ifedi a 5. I'd guess Ifedi at 5 and then maybe 6/7 for Dalton/Graham. Of course if they retain someone like Daniels then they could only sign 5 CFAs and so on. I think that's doable, but it takes some discipline. But target like 4 guys in the 4/5 round range and don't sign anyone else to a deal above ~1.8M (unless they aren't CFA eligible) and net a comp pick or two for 2023.

Setting aside GM/coach talk for a moment and looking ahead to player acquisition. Interesting thought for a top target for the Bears. I am pretty resigned that they won't get a true number 1, but maybe can collect some depth and hope one of them or Mooney vaults into true stud territory. Kirk isn't huge but good speed. Earlier PFF article ranked Kirk as the 50th ranked FA with an estimated contract value of 3/35 with 24 guaranteed https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-2022-free-agent-rankings-free-agency In that next tier down from Kirk is a group of youngish (<27) possible breakout guys like Cedric Wilson Jr Zay Jones Russell Gage All bring a little extra size as well. I'd guess they'll each fall in the 7M range once all said and done. I'd basically like no FA to be signed to a deal that goes past their age 30 season. Focus on yound ascending bets and avoid the top of the market. Possibly position yourself to get a comp pick for ARob (though it may be tough).

This is such a tease tweet lol. And turning off the comments so he can get retweet. Bait.

Also, his status as the unquestioned leader of an offense scheme give me more comfort. As long as hes relatively engaged on the entire team and can reach into his rolodex for some D coaches, let's go. He's served under enough strong HCs that he should hopefully bring a nice blend of styles.

Yes, what I wrote was pure guessing. That was the point of the post. Daboll makes sense, but the reason for not going him that would also make sense is what I wrote. We aren't going to hear comments from Daboll saying he doesn't like Fields now. I think given the direction of the NFL and their rules (focused on promoting the passing game and the QB), it doesn't make sense to simply go against hiring a guy like Daboll for a bunch of reasons. The only reason would be if Daboll either didn't like Fields (and there is no proof of that) or he simply wasn't available. All other reasons are pointless overthink, imo I think he's shot up to the top of my list, but I am glad they have an extensive search on both sides of the ball this time. It's kind of an "all else equal" thing. O guy is always gonna get that little extra finger on the scale, but at least give yourself a chance for a D guy to impress.

But if we get Daboll he also won't be a good thing. /higher value post

I'm highly skeptical Daboll or any coach wouldn't want to work with Fields at all, anyways. That may come with some caveat that he isn't "sold" on him, but if he's waiting for another Allen level physical talent he'll be searching for a while. For a GM, it should be even more clear. They won't get dinged by Fields not developing. A coach might get blamed for not developing Fields. So I guess there just has to be an understanding there that the coach has security and they'll be measured by maximizing offense output, not based on Fields being an All Pro, but something less than that.

Nostalgia, when probably like half the fan base isn't old enough to really remember his playing days.

Frazier is bad at coaching?

Yea definitely want more than a rebound coach. Now guys are coaching into their 70s, so maybe he can be a 8-10 year coach, but this isn't like the Fox hiring where the locker room was a mess and there was a need for a stabilizing prescense even if it was likely to be a short run.

It can be hard to finish, both because of the sheer richness and also because your straw starts clogging once the cake:shake ratio gets too high, but it's incredibly delicious. I think the obvious argument is to just get a slice* of cake with a side of shake. Bite then sip. Repeat. Can even mix it up with vanilla shake then. *or the whole cake. Get the whole cake. My bro-in-law will go get the full cake through the drive through for his son's bday cakes and they apparently frequently act amused and I'm thinking he can't be the only person rolling up to the drive through getting a whole cake.

The "this isn't a surprise after a terrible interview" response is quite convenient. Exactly. But on something where he knew the Adofo-Mensah and Champ interview combo before anyone else... Its like less than a 5% chance he could guess that combo right based on how many candidates there were. Adding that onto to the Pace/Ted stuff and he isn't flinging guesses around. He might just be a Ted Phillips psyop.

I love that DBB is breaking Bears Twitter today lol. I take DBB commentary with a grain of salt still, but people out there doubting he has good sources aren't paying attention. But the spin is questionable.

Told yall those Eberflus odds were good. Hope one of the gamblers here threw down a bet.

Need a cheap backup for Fields starting in 2023 (and maybe 2022). Been eyeing Aqeel Glass as a UDFA. But with only 5 picks as of now would probably need to be a real steal to draft one.

I guess you could call him a sunk cost but you spent several picks to draft him and he’s on a dirt cheap rookie contract. He has the intangibles and showed enough flashes to keep developing him (aka he wasn’t Haskins out there). It would be monumentally stupid to trade him IMO unless you can acquire someone with his ceiling who isn’t battling 2 dozen sexual assault allegations. Yea agreed he isn't getting traded I just think we shouldn't freak out about reports that candidates dont love him as much as us. Probably a bigger sell for a GM who knows they have time rather than a HC who might be pressured to win and isn't sure exactly what they have.

I mean if we're being as honest as possible and putting homerism aside no one should be overly excited about Fields right? Neither should they about Lawrence. From the tape out there, there's questions and you're not in the building to really know any circumstance. That said it would take a pretty crazy set of circumstances where both of those guys aren't getting the next two years to develop.

Reports were Wolf and Brown were scheduled today, but no announcement yet from Bears. Seems like on previous days they announced by 5pm or so.

If I was a gambler I'd put a bet on those Eberflus odds.

There are also some red flags that maybe Flores wants to be the Belichick at his next org. That's a step further than how he is viewed as a coach. And even on the coach side, there's appeal, but there's some still outstanding Q's.

Bears Twitter freaking out about being beat the punch by the Giants? Edit Seeing stuff like this. Is anything actually changing or just fans freaking out because Giants are moving to finalist stage?

Guessing he'd bring over Ken Dorsey but if Daboll leaves Buffalo too, Dorsey might just be promoted there Yea I'd put good money on not being able to double dip from a franchise like that. They're likely to be immediately offered a promotion at their current franchise. And while the Bears should be an attractive landing spot for HC, why would and OC like Dorsey leave an appealing situation in BUF with Allen already established.

I know organizations are complex and we can't just ascribe an org's actions to every employee, but I do not love the Titans as an org to poach from. They've done some savvy things the last few years, but seems like most of their success comes from playing in a dumpster fire of a division. And unlike, say, the Browns it doesn't seem to me like they've had a great process and just lost some key dice rolls. Well it's definitely a deeply Patriots influenced org. Their 2016 draft produced 3 All Pros, though the let Conklin walk (Belichick has never been big on huge OL paydays either). They look like they have been pretty draft focused though the Goff blockbuster certainly helped in filling the coffers there. And yea, just looking at their staffing don't appear to be analytically driven. https://titanswire.usatoday.com/2021/05/16/are-titans-doing-enough-in-the-analytics-department/

A seemingly common Twitter take I think I've realized. Dodds is relentless with an edge and that's good. Flores is abrasive and that's bad. Nothing else to see here.