The Chicago Bears will likely attack several of their roster needs in free agency. GM Ryan Poles insisted he won’t do anything crazy. His goal is to be smart with his spending. Find value and don’t overspend. That means finding the best deals to help the Bears get better without burdening their salary structure. Much of this comes down to how the market unfolds. Some players will be in high demand, which could drive up the price to get them. Poles will have to be adept in his negotiating strategy.
One of the more interesting aspects of this entire situation is the money involved. People can’t be sure what certain players might command on the open market. There are theories, but none of them seem overly reliable. This is where it is best to get details from an expert. Enter Brad Spielberger. He is widely regarded as one of the best salary cap experts in the field. He put together a massive column covering the top 100 free agents this off-season and gave contract projections for all of them.
Here were some of the most interesting from the Bears’ perspective.
“DI DARON PAYNE, WASHINGTON COMMANDERS
Contract Projection: Four years, $80 million ($20M per year); $55 million total guaranteed
OT MIKE MCGLINCHEY, SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
Contract Projection: Four years, $62 million ($15.5M per year); $37.25 million total guaranteed
OT JAWAAN TAYLOR, JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
Contract Projection: Four years, $57 million ($14.25M per year); $33.5 million total guaranteed
DI DRE’MONT JONES, DENVER BRONCOS
Contract Projection: Four years, $58 million ($14.5M per year); $37.5 million total guaranteed
LB T.J. EDWARDS, PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
Contract Projection: Three years, $40.5 million ($13.5M per year); $25 million total guaranteed
OT KALEB MCGARY, ATLANTA FALCONS
Contract Projection: Four years, $52 million ($13M per year); $31 million total guaranteed
WR MICHAEL THOMAS, NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
Contract Projection: One year, $12.5 million; $10 million total guaranteed
LB BOBBY OKEREKE, INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
Contract Projection: Three years, $25.5 million ($8.5M per year); $15.75 million total guaranteed
WR D.J. CHARK JR., DETROIT LIONS
Contract Projection: Three years, $35 million ($11.66M per year); $23.5 million total guaranteed
EDGE YANNICK NGAKOUE, INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
Contract Projection: Two years, $25 million ($12.5M per year); $20 million total guaranteed”
The Chicago Bears have some interesting decisions to make.
They can afford pretty much all of those contracts. That isn’t the issue. It is a question of whether they think any of those players are worth those numbers. Payne and Jones are the exact kinds of interior pass rushers the Bears need. Payne is slightly younger and stayed healthy this past season. Jones is more proven over a longer period of time. Is Payne really worth $6.5 million more per year than Jones? Maybe. That is what Poles has to figure out. Spielberger seems to think former All-Pro receiver Michael Thomas will be cut. Perhaps he might be worth a one-year flier to see if he has anything left after multiple injury setbacks.
The offensive tackle market might be the most interesting to watch. McGlinchey, McGary, and Taylor would all be instant upgrades over anything the Chicago Bears have at right tackle. McGlinchey and McGary are both excellent run blockers but so-so pass protectors. Taylor is the opposite. He thrived in pass protection this year but has never been good at run blocking. The Bears will have to decide which they should prioritize if they pursue one of them. It’s nice to have at least an idea of the numbers we’ll be looking at.
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Get players that are impact improvements. Then draft development. Solidify the lines here.
Michael Thomas for $12 million and $10 million guaranteed on a 1 year deal? Is this guy out of his mind?!?!?! That’s a significant CAP hit in 2023 for a broke down bum.
My understanding is that NFL rules require teams to spend 90% of their cap money each year. If that is the case, then the Bears may overpay a bit for some free agent contracts because they’re going to have to spend the money somehow. It should be interesting.
Where’s Orlando Brown, Marcus Davenport, and Tremaine Edmunds? Heck even Saquon Barkley or Tony Pollard? You can take Yannick, Chark, Thomas, and the LBs you mentioned and throw them in the trash. Free Agency should be O-line, D-Line, and playmakers that are upgrades to what we have.
Honestly Dre’mont Jones I like a whole lot better and I know Da’ron Payne has the better numbers but he was also on the field more per snaps and was healthier last season. Jones looks just as good and comes with a smaller price tag. If the bears sign either I’m pumped regardless though