A important second within the Bears' transformational offseason comes Monday, when the NFL's window for authorized manipulation opens at 11 a.m. CT.
After signing veteran security Kevin Byard on Sunday, common supervisor Ryan Poles has round $56 million in wage cap house to play with when the company bell rings. If you think about the price of signing the draft class, the Bears ought to have round $45 million to spend in the event that they select to take action.
Forty-five million {dollars} is quite a bit to play with because the Poles look to fill important roster holes forward of the possibly transformative resolution to draft USC quarterback Caleb Williams with the No. 1 total choose.
Right here's a breakdown of the Bears' wants, potential targets and a prediction of how they'll assault every gap.
Broad receiver
Potential targets:
Calvin Ridley
Gabe Davis
Tyler Boyd
Curtis Samuel
The Bears have elite No. 1 huge receiver DJ Moore, however lack depth behind the 26-year-old.
With Darnell Mooney anticipated to go away in free company, the Bears want so as to add at the very least two receivers this offseason. I anticipate one to come back through the 2024 NFL Draft and the opposite to come back within the type of a less expensive veteran in free company.
Ridley can be an ideal praise to Moore, however he’s anticipated to have a robust market wherein to command an annual common worth within the $18-20 million vary. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported that the New England Patriots are anticipated to attempt to land the Alabama product.
The Bears ought to be ok with the second and third line receivers on the free agent market.
Boyd is a dependable veteran with nimble fingers. He’s a prepared blocker out of the slot and runner. A drop in 2023 may dampen his market, however he can be match if the Bears plan so as to add their No. 2 choose early within the draft.
Davis is a vertical risk who can take the highest of the protection, however he has been an entire non-factor in lots of video games in Buffalo.
Samuel has the pace and quickness to stretch the sector vertically and horizontally. He's a Swiss Military Knife receiver who has 126 receptions and 10 touchdowns from scrimmage over the previous two seasons.
Davis can be the upper choice, however I believe the reliability and value of Boyd would make a variety of sense for the Bears.
Forecast: Tyler Boyd (PFF contract projection: two years, $16.5 million complete)
Run again
Potential targets:
Saquon Barkley
Josh Jacobs
Derrick Henry
Austin Thanks
Tony Pollard
D'Andre Swift
Devin Singletary
Right here's the most important unknown surrounding the Bears' free agent plans.
The phrase on the NFL Scouting Mix was that the Bears are anticipated to be available in the market for a working again. They nonetheless have excessive expectations for second-year working again Roschon Johnson, however the Bears want a confirmed again who’s dependable in move safety and a weapon within the passing recreation.
Quite a few reviews final week linked the Bears to Barkley. The 27-year-old would undoubtedly be electrical in new offensive coordinator Shane Waldron's scheme, however the price ticket is predicted to be greater than $10 million per season. Poles comes from a Kansas Metropolis Chiefs group that didn't see the worth in overpaying working backs, and I don't suppose they'll stray from that perception and provides Barkley an enormous deal.
In accordance with former Bears working again and present sideline reporter Jason McKie, there may be additionally reportedly mutual curiosity between the Bears and Jacobs. Jacobs is 26 years previous and only a yr away from successful the speeding title. There's probability he'll find yourself again in Las Vegas. Jacobs is predicted to signal a contract that can pay him greater than $10 million, which can be too wealthy for the Bears.
The Poles may buck the pattern and signal one of many prime defenders, however I believe they may wish to add somebody from the second tier. Pollard's manufacturing took a dip in 2023 when he made his manner again to Dallas, however he's nonetheless simply 26 years previous and has explosive potential in each the run and move video games. He’s additionally a strong move protector.
Forecast: Tony Pollard (PFF contract projection: three years, $20 million complete)
Defensive motion
Potential targets:
Christian Wilkins
Javon Kinlaw
Justin Jones
The Bears' want at defensive deal with hinges on Wilkins' price ticket. The inside line of defense market exploded this offseason when Chris Jones signed a five-year, $95 million deal to stick with the Chiefs after Justin Madubuike signed a four-year, $98 million deal to remain in Baltimore.
Wilkins is 28 years previous and is coming off a season wherein he posted profession highs in sacks, hits, pressures and move completion share whereas enjoying in 17 video games. He’ll seemingly price at the very least $25 million per season. For 2 years, the Bears have been pounding the desk about how getting a disruptive three-technique is the “engine” of head coach Matt Eberflus' protection.
Wilkins will get prime greenback and his market may skyrocket on the Bears' value. If that occurs, the Bears can convey again Justin Jones and belief Gervon Dexter to make an enormous leap this fall.
I like the concept of pairing Wilkins with Montez Sweat on the line of defense. Bears Cross got here to life as soon as Sweat arrived, and Wilkins added much more juice. However I believe the value is simply too excessive and leaves the Bears to convey again Jones and put their religion in Dexter and Zach Pickens.
Forecast: Justin Jones (two years, $6 million)
Defensive finish
Potential targets:
Danielle Hunter
Bryce Huff
Chase Younger
Jonathan Greenard
Za'Darius Smith
Josh Uche
Epenes too
There was a variety of smoke surrounding the Bears' curiosity in Hunter. That's actual, and the Bears watched him torment their offensive line final season, posting 3.5 sacks towards them. However Hunter is 29 years previous and is predicted to command a deal over $20 million per season.
Each Greenard and Huff make sense. They’re younger, lengthy and productive corners who match into the Bears' timeline. Nevertheless, each are anticipated to be extremely wanted in free company, with some reviews suggesting Huff will obtain a contract nearer to $20 million per season.
Since these three are in all probability too costly, Epenesa and Younger take advantage of sense.
Each are appropriate for schemes that shouldn't break the financial institution. Epenesa additionally performed below new defensive coordinator Eric Washington in Buffalo. Epensa is coming off a season with 29 pressures and 7 sacks for the Payments. He has developed right into a dependable rotational edge rusher who ought to slot in nicely reverse Sweat.
As for Younger, he hasn't flourished reverse Nick Bosa in San Francisco and isn't anticipated to return to the 49ers until it's low-cost. Younger will search a long-term deal, however may find yourself with a one-year, confirmed deal that permits him to guess on himself and take a look at the market once more subsequent offseason.
Epenesa appears like guess to land in Chicago. He’s a neighborhood particular person with a scheme and expertise with a scheme that won’t be costly. Younger will money in elsewhere.
Forecast: AJ Epenesa (PFF contract projection: three years, $20.25 million complete)
Tight finish
Potential targets:
Noah Fant
Colby Parkinson
Will Disley
Irv Smith Jr.
Mike Gesicki
Fant looks as if an apparent goal, given his age, pass-catching capability and expertise in new offensive coordinator Shane Waldron's system.
However Dalton Schultz and Hunter Henry re-signing earlier than the discharge means Fant shall be within the TE1 market.
If the Bears can get him for an inexpensive quantity, it needs to be a recreation. If not, they’ll go for cheaper former Seahawks in Dissly or Parkinson. Dissly is understood for his blocking, whereas Parkinson has grow to be extra of a receiving risk over the previous two seasons.
The Bears may additionally look outdoors of Seattle to attach with Gesicki or Smith, who’re recognized pass-catching commodities. I like Fant, however the Bears have already invested closely in tight finish Cole Kmet, and I believe Fant's price ticket will overshadow the Bears' worth projection.
I believe the Parkinson is a pleasant and cheaper match.
Forecast: Colby Parkinson (PFF projection contract: three years, $19.5 million complete)
Security
Signed: Kevin Byard
The Bears signed veteran security Kevin Byard to a two-year, $15 million contract on Sunday.
Byard shall be 31 when the season begins. He’s a two-time All-Professional with 28 profession hits and may pair nicely with Jaquan Brisker.
Heart
Potential targets
Lloyd Cushenberry
Connor Williams
Andrew James
Coleman Shelton
Evan Brown
The commerce for Ryan Bates makes it much less of a precedence, however the Bears nonetheless have to fill out the inside of their offensive line.
One of the best-case state of affairs is that Bates would be the inside linebacker on a swing and the Bears discover a beginning middle both within the draft or in free company. Nevertheless, the Bears at present don't have a choose between Nos. 9 and 75 within the draft, placing them out of rivalry for a number of the prime facilities within the draft.
However the Poles ought to nonetheless have the ability to discover a long-term reply with one of many Bears' fourth-round picks or a choose they add later through commerce.
Possibly the Bears go after Shelton or Brown, each of whom know Waldron, however I believe they'll transfer to the central market after buying Bates.
Prediction: N/A
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