Even as Chicago Bears fans get hyped for the upcoming NFL draft, one curious situation still has yet to play itself out. One thing people tend to forget is draft classes cost money. Not a ton of money but enough to require a set amount of salary cap space. Normally this wouldn’t be a problem since most teams can find the necessary wiggle room with ease. Chicago is not most teams.
Based on the latest figures from the NFL, no team has less cap space available than the Bears. They sit at just $410,075 with two days before the draft. This presents a considerable problem for them. According to OverTheCap.com, GM Ryan Pace and his staff will need $2,815,344 in cap space to fit their rookie class onto the roster presuming they use all of the picks they currently possess. That means they’re $2,405,269 short.
As draft week begins, a look at how much cap space each team has, from Jacksonville to Chicago.
Money to spend to sign draft classes, remaining free agents and potential post-draft moves. pic.twitter.com/ygS7NHe4Ti
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) April 26, 2021
This makes their recent free agent moves more confusing.
Chicago secured veteran safety Tashaun Gipson on a one-year deal for $1.805 million. They also signed wide receiver Marquise Goodwin for $1.075 million. That money would’ve covered their draft needs by itself. That begs the question. Does Pace have some sort of move in mind? He almost has to. He’s not dumb enough to overlook something like this. So what could be coming?
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Rumors have persisted that a trade of Anthony Miller could be imminent. If that happens before the draft, the Bears would secure $1.21 million in additional cap space. Cutting fellow boxing enthusiast Javon Wims would collect another $920,000. That would cover most of the distance needed. Barring that, the Bears could also make a minor tweak to another veteran contract, converting salary in roster bonuses. Perhaps they might even achieve that elusive Allen Robinson contract extension which would enable them to lower his 2021 cap hit.
Chicago Bears could solve their problem in a number of ways
One creative method they might consider? Drafting a left tackle of preference in the 1st round and then cutting Charles Leno. This would secure them $6.2 million in cap space, essentially paying for both the draft and the array of undrafted free agents that would follow. There is also the curious case of Jimmy Graham. While the tight end was quite solid in 2020 with nine TD catches, the $7 million his release would net is almost too difficult to pass up.
Then there is the outside possibility the Chicago Bears decide to trade Robinson. It’s been speculated for months that in the absence of any hopes for an extension, Pace might deal the 27-year old to another team for draft picks. If he were to do this, the Bears would regain the $17.98 million needed for his franchise tag. That solves all their problems. Financially at least. It would be a blow to the offense though.
Knowing how this team operates?
It wouldn’t be a surprise if the Bears already have the situation figured out. Word just hasn’t leaked to the public about what they’ve been doing. Pace has a long history of keeping things airtight until it’s no longer necessary. It’ll be curious to see how he navigated this matter. Especially with the offseason not being over even after the draft concludes.
