Ryan Pace deserves blame for drafting Adam Shaheen in the first place. That being said, the fact the Chicago Bears GM found a way to get a 6th rounder back from the Miami Dolphins is one of the steals of the offseason. Anybody with eyes knew the team would end up cutting him. Getting a decent Day 3 pick from a team that it’s the middle of a rebuild is a definite win.
As of now, the Bears have six picks looking towards the 2021 draft. They dealt their 4th rounder to Minnesota for Trevis Gipson and their 7th to the Raiders for Eddy Pineiro. By itself, it’s not a terrible number. However, that could change in a big way next offseason. Following free agency this year, the Bears were projected by Over The Cap to have four compensatory picks coming their way.
These in exchange for the losses of Nick Kwiatkoski, Kevin Pierre-Louis, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, and Chase Daniel. If that holds true, then the team will hold 10 picks total including their top three and five in the 6th round. That should give Pace plenty of flexibility. Sorely-needed given the possible mass exodus of veteran talent they might experience due to a projected drop in the salary cap.
Chicago Bears may not stop with just Shaheen
Rest assured, it’s possible Shaheen won’t be the last one the Bears ship off to another team. That cap issue looms large with a projected drop as much as $23 million. They would have to shed a ton of salary. Not to mention the fact that 46 players will be free agents. That means one or two other names might get moved for draft compensation in the coming months. Especially if the Bears get off to a rough start this season.
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The trade deadline will be near the end of October. All this aside, the Bears at least have some wiggle room. They don’t necessarily have to gut the roster to correct their cap issues. Combined with a high number of picks and a prospect of adding more? It’s possible they can reload on the fly while still staying competitive. Especially if one of their quarterbacks can rise to the occasion.
