The Chicago Bears want to build through the draft. That is not a bad thing. However, they have to do work in free agency this year. There is no choice. The roster is far too depleted to expect eight draft picks can turn it around. GM Ryan Poles has accepted this. He promised he’d make smart decisions for the franchise. While he won’t go crazy with the spending, there are reasons to think he will take two or three aggressive swings. It comes down to who is available when the market opens this March.
One of the biggest names out there is defensive tackle Da’Ron Payne. After years of modest production in Washington, he exploded for 11.5 sacks in 2022, finally realizing the massive potential he showed at Alabama. He turns 26 years old in May. The guy is squarely in his prime. If anybody should be considered a prime target for the Bears, it’s him. They desperately need interior pass rush help. Will he be available is the question. Draft insider Charlie Campbell of WalterFootball has it on good authority that this will be the case.
Most around the league expect it.
“Sources from around the league think there is a good chance that Payne will not get hit with the franchise tag. The Commanders have to account for looming contract extensions for Montez Sweat and Chase Young. Fellow defensive tackle Jonathan Allen already received a big contract, and Washington drafted Alabama defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis in the second round last year. Additionally, the Commanders could be in the market for an expensive veteran quarterback.
The organization also decided to give Allen a big contract and did not negotiate an extension with Payne prior to his huge 2022 season. Here is a reason why per a source with the Commanders: “The [top decision makers] liked him, but weren’t in love with him. Daron has so much potential, but never tapped in as much as they would have liked.” Hence, many around the NFL think Payne stands a good chance of hitting the open market.”
The Chicago Bears can pay Payne. Can they recruit him?
That will be the biggest thing. There will be no shortage of teams that want his services this spring. Plenty will be willing to offer him big money. The Bears can match anything they throw at him. The challenge for Poles will be convincing the defensive tackle to come to Chicago. This team had the worst record in the NFL this season at 3-14. A rebuild is underway. Free agents don’t always like the idea of joining an organization that appears so far away from a Super Bowl. Money will be the key, but so will selling the vision for where this team is going.
Payne may like the idea of becoming a focal point of the Chicago Bears’ looming turnaround. He would be a great first step in retooling arguably one of the worst defensive lines in franchise history. It’s humiliating when a rookie safety finishes with the most sacks on the team. Poles may not want to spend irresponsibly, but Payne is one of those few free agents who can be a genuine difference-maker for his team. It will be fascinating to see how things unfold five weeks from now.
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FA is a gamble… but so is the draft. who really knows if he’s a result of being surrounded by other great players… or is He the driving force. I don’t think it’s ALWAYS one way or another… but you have to have guys like this to HELP make himself or others better. I for one don’t ever want to see our bear’s defense as bad as it was last year. so… if we MUST spend… then SPEND! @ee… thx for the details. having that knowledge does help. so I think we DO have a shoot at getting this guy.… Read more »
All the speculation in the world of pre-draft NFL is not worth a penny! Every media writer, analyst and Wanna-Be has a different cap amount, a different playmaker, a different draft possibility and yet not one of them have a damn clue as to who or what selection the Bears will decide on! The media and sports writers all fall in love with the darlings and the consensus players available and why they should be #1 in the choice, but not one of them actually has the confidence of R Poles or M Eberflus!
Sounds like a contract year super star. Thats a big red flag for me plus I would rather they spend big on the oline and go more the cheap route on defense since we have a defensive hc that can coach up lesser talent.
I’m always leary bout that player whose best year is when he’s coming up for an extention or new deal. That contract-year, the 2nd contract will set them up for life. After he gets his security blanket does he go back to his ho-hum ways, or continue on his path to super-stardom? History definitely falls towards backsliding into obscurity. Only maintaining recognition as a ginormous bust. Just my opinion.
Washington cannot tag and trade Payne. The franchise salary for DT is $18.94M while their cap space is only $6.85 million. The moment they put the tag on him, they re over the cap by $12 million and they are banned from signing any additional players as well as subject to fines of up to $5 million, draft picks can be confiscated and player contracts can be voided. The Commanders have 19 other free agents to deal with plus draft class and maybe a QB situation to resolve. They could cut Wentz but then where does the money come for… Read more »