Don't everybody get excited now... First Watson, then Wentz, then Wilson rumors at QB--I've tempered my expectations to Alex Smith being the week 1 starter. Or Foles... No news on ARob being tagged yet but there's still one week to tag him. Sadly nothing from local beat guys like Biggs about any kind of contract--just speculation of what happens if/when bears do/don't tag him. I don't love how the NFL is starting to copy the MLB in terms of offseason of daily hot-stove rumors/ideas that never materialize. Hiring another big-program offensive-minded College coach in Tom Herman (after Mark Helfrich from Oregon)? Fitting for Nagy going down with the ship as nobody worth their salt will come here for the lame duck. Evidently many U of Texas Austin players didn't have kind things to say about Herman's departure/why things didn't work, including his QB Sam Ehlinger. Speaking tablescrap coaches, the Bears also hired fired Packers DC Mike Pettine as a consultant. Great... Did part of me make this thread to throw one last barb at Buster Skrine? Fuck yes. His useless ass got cut yesterday, instantly improving the defense. Now do Bobby Massie and Charles Leno... Feel free to add more. I'm sure this will pick up steam in 13 days when the legal tampering window opens.
I think the guys like Schefter and Rappaport, although they are very good at what they do, also have an obligation to fuel these rumors and speculations to keep the NFL relevant in the sports world even when nothing is happening in the league. The press conference will be a part deaux of the debacle we saw after the season ended. I'm expecting a lot of words and happiness with zero substance. Right now Foles is our starter and I hope he is for all of 2021, if he can stay healthy. No need to sign Alex Smith and have him compete with Foles. But if there is a chance for Wilson, even a slim one, I could live with Pace mortgaging the future for him.
Short version of BS presser, ARob - We're working thru the process and everything is still on the table. Trubs/QB situation - We're working thru the process and everything is still on the table. Seriously what was the point of that fuckery? They usually have a presser this time of year cos they're usually at the combine so they're having one anyway? Ok, and for the same reason are former college players all over the country now running around their back yards doing drills in their underwear while mom times them? Idiots.
In another one of my spasms of wholly unwarranted delusional optimism my gut says Wilson doesnt get traded this year, but he might next year. Which would be perfect timing wise if it coincided with a Pace/Nagy clearout. I know i know, we dont get good things. I did say delusional.
Same. CCS has their asses clenched about any deal that could involve one/a combo of Noquan, Hicks, JJ, and/or Fuller going back to Seattle. They're fucking nuts. You make that move every time for Russell Wilson. Probably won't want to reunite him with Ifedi... I can see this happening if Pace isn't giving away multiple draft picks... Smith will be cheaper, knows the system--and two vets would be like Shane Matthews/Jim Miller in 2001. Maybe with a draft pick QB as a 3rd option given Foles' inability to move in the pocket and Smith's injury history. Not Tyler Bray. One of them needs to show just enough to have Pace pointing to something that'll keep his job for 2022. Not saying it's ideal but if Seattle/Houston wont part with their guy and lots of draftable QBs are gone by 20, that may be Pace's best option. I think in 'reading between the lines' in how he answered questions about ARob specifically and Mitch--it SEEMS that they'll tag Arob. Pace likes to keep good players and Allen is a good player. The Franchise tag isn't cool if you're a player but just because of that doesn't mean you don't use it when its at a franchise's disposal. As for Mitch, Pace did mention that it was communicated going forward to all parties. I think they're done with him. Didn't watch Nagy but he's especially done with Mitch and wasn't shy about that during the season. Otherwise, I too hated the circular drivel mixed with lame, corporate buzz words and non-answers.
It's strange to have the Bears mentioned but I'm not buying why Wilson would have any interest. The o-line is worse, the receivers aren't as good (even with A-Rob back I prefer Metcalf/Lockett combo), and Nagy is even more stubborn and stupid than Carroll. Plus there will be little draft capital and cap space to give him the support he needs. I think we have a better chance at landing Watson, and of course the chances of that are practically nil. Going back to BWW's point on the other thread, with Pace/Nagy's jobs on the line, they have to realize Smith doesn't improve our chances of success any more than trotting out Foles for 2021. If we're talking pre-broken leg, I would agree. But I watched him plenty last season after he came back and he was not the same player, understandably so.
While there is no doubt of the sense of urgency with jobs being on the line--reality still matters... In the event Russell Wilson (whom I agree I have no idea why the bears are one of his 4 teams he'd agree to take a trade to) and DeShaun Watson both aren't options/Houston and Seattle don't bite even if Pace has offered the king's ransom, what's the next step to improving the QB position on the roster? Lesser trade candidates like Carr/Mariota? Carr makes the team better (but why does Oakland get rid of his 19 mil salary for 21 and 22 when he's performing well enough?) Mariota makes the team better? No. He doesn't. Pretty sure the Raiders won't trade both... Okay, assume they aren't options. What's left? Let's assume Andrew Luck can't be convinced out of retirement either and get that pipe dream out of the way too... Dak Prescott? Assuming Dallas doesn't franchise or transition tag him--where are you gonna get 30+ mil per year for him? By all means if he hits the open market he costs money and not picks--I need no convincing the QB position gets better. But....say bye to Allen Robinson if you pay Dak. The draft and table scraps of FA are what you're left with--even if the intent is to swing big for the fences to try and pull another blockbuster. Besides walking into what looks like a lame duck/desperation year for Pace/Nagy--the hand they've got looks worse by the day. Partially because they've done that to themselves, partially because the market is sorting itself to the position it's looking like. And for what it's worth, the bears went 13-3 with Matthews and Miller in 2001. Is it ideal? No. Is it my preferred 'Plans A/B/C/D?' Also no. Did the bear go 13-3 in 2002 with Matthews/Miller? Nope. 4-12. Is Alex Smith better short term than maybe Trey Lance or Kyle Trask or any college QB not named Lawrence or Fields? After other plans/ideas have failed to materialize--he starts to look it.
I actually think this is why there's been no contract or tags, they're waiting on the off chance they do land a QB. I do believe the Bears are interested in any QB out there. I also think they are not willing to break the bank, which is a *good* thing really. I also don't believe there's any chance Wilson leaves Seattle. It's almost like the GMs are trying get the Bears to bite knowing full well how shit Mitch is. There's no doubt I would love to see Wilson or Watson here. But either one is going to take a "Ricky Williams-esque" type of trade, a trade you might see once a generation. And that doesn't solve our cap problems or fix the line. As much as I don't trust the Brain-drain-trust of George/Ryan I don't think they're blowing everything on either player. Don't see it. Instead it will be a package to trade up in the first round for a QB. Mark my words. Also, that presser was beyond a waste of time. They might as well have said they collaborate well.
I think Pace is competent enough to make phone calls to truly gauge Houston/Seattle and find out if Wilson/Watson are just media conjecture during slow times or if there's traction. I also think if Seattle/Houston were seriously considering moving their franchise QB--it would have been done already. Regarding Dak, I think Pace doesn't mind him as contingency plan A. Pace could have offered kings ransoms already and Houston/Seattle could have said 'no thanks.' Say that is the case--Pace has to keep looking. His presser, though tiringly collaborative--was consistent in that they want to improve the QB position. Dak does that. You bring up money, and Pace has some big options to move cap around/punt it to next year (where OTC estimates cap space in the 80 mil range). Punting Fuller, Mack, and even EJax can free up space immediately, and that's before cuts. And again, assume Dak gets tagged--your options are Alex Smith or trading for Garappollo/Sam Darnold. If its not there in FA, the draft is there. I still feel confident in Pace trading up should Mac Jones or the BYU kid fall to 10-15 range. I also don't think 5 QBs go in the 1st round. There's a lot of stacked talent all over the place in another month and change--OT, OG, WR, CB, ILB, EDGE, and DLine/DT all have 3-4+ guys considered/speculated 1st rounders. Even TE, RB, S, and C have 1-2 guys at the top as well. I think teams have learned as well drafting a QB for the sake of drafting on in the 1st after a run of 2-3 are gone hasn't panned out for some teams. In other news, the bears have already made a bunch of small moves. They've resigned Vaughters, Bars, Nall, Josh Woods, and JP Holtz. Bars being depth is the one I like. Holtz I liked in 2019, then cringed when they tried to make him a FB in 2020. If you're going the FB route, draft/sign a fullback. I didn't know this happened a month ago, but the bears also signed former 2017 2nd round pick DB from Florida Teez Tabor. Likely to be another Artie Burns/Tre Roberson in camp. First Skrine, now Rashad Coward has been released/not tendered a contract. Let's keep the useless/down-trending player cuts going. Wims, Massie, Leno, RRH--I'm happy to be surprised.
Yeah, this is probably it. It's no secret around the league that Pace is desperate, a risk taker, and ultimately not very good at his job. He was ridiculed by other GMs for his 2017 draft the day after it happened, and he's never lived that down. The Texans stupidly think if they hold off long enough, Watson will change his mind. He won't. He will be traded before the season starts when they see him hold out and will have lost leverage. Then they'll realize their mistake too late, the haul they could've gotten from teams like Miami, Jets, Panthers, Bears? would have been huge had they moved before the draft. The best case/dream scenario is we make no QB moves before the draft, then draft an OT in the first, then get lucky when the Texans are forced to trade Watson for a much smaller pakcage in late July/August. As for the Seahawks, not sure on that either. It's obvious Wilson is not happy but it seems hard to believe they would want to part with him. But if there is a team (not necessarily the Bears) who could offer a Rickey Williams type trade, I think the Seahawks will jump on that. It probably hasn't gotten to that point. Rumors are that Dak wants to be the second highest paid QB after Mahomes. Is that a realistic contingency even with all those cuts? Maybe if Pace is desperate enough and gets lucky in that the Cowboys don't tag him, but I think they will. To me there's a better chance at landing a trade for Watson/Wilson, than getting Dak at this point.
Completely agree and can see this happening. One problem though. Watson would still have to waive his no-trade to come here and there hasn't been movement/change. Right now he's said he'd waive it for the Jets, Phins, and Panthers. Even if/when Houston fucks it up and he no shows/claims arm soreness with his own doc and sits, leaving them powerless and forced to pay him--he'd have to say 'yes' to come here. Wilson's rift from what I've read is that he and Carroll don't get along. The weasel will be 70 in September and Russ is locked up about to start year 2 of his 4 year deal. Another rough season for Seattle could force the weasel out/make him opt for retirement. Mahomes won't be crushing it salary-wise until 2023, actually (He's due $25 and change mil in 2021 and $29.5 mil in 2022 before jumping to over $40 mil in 2023per Spotrac). The cuts/restructures can be done to fit Dak in at a big chunk of change... Per spotrac, Matt Ryan will be the highest-paid QB in 2021 making $40.9 mil. The next highest is Erin at $37.5 mil. Dak isn't getting $37.6 mil and I don't think he's getting 300-400+ mil (he may come close if he balls out on a franchise tag). Can he get 25-30 per year if he hits the market? I think it's entirely possible if you up his guaranteed overall $$. However, should the situation arise and he's there, untagged by Dallas--what's the offer to him? Do you pounce or do you wait to see if something changes with Houston/Seattle? More importantly--can Ryan Pace afford to wait until late summer with Foles and....a draft pick/Fitzmagic/Famous Jameis on the roster? Is it like Julius Peppers over a decade ago where Lovie and JA went to his house at midnight the day FA started to make sure he couldn't hear another offer?
Yeah I guess I meant over the total life of the contract for Dak, rather than immediate salary for this next year or two. You make a good point. If Pace does his job the right way, he leaves no stone unturned in the quest for Wilson and Watson. If that doesn't work, Dak would be next in line, though I still think he gets tagged. Realistically that leaves him with those other options, and at that point I think that's when the big trade up happens to move into the top 10 of the first round. Much as it pains me to say it, I don't think we make it to late summer without Pace already having shot his load on something.
Dak is no longer an option. Also means Russell Wilson's list of teams he would accept a trade to is now down to 3.
The dude got his 40 mil a year. Good for him... On an unrelated note, Kyle Long returning to NFL. Probably won't be with the bears, which sucks because he and Nagy don't get along from what I've read. The wrong guy is still here. Also the Bears are local/at Northwestern's pro day. NU has 2 noteable early draft picks, the obvious being the OT Rashawn Slater. CB Greg Newsome can play CB1, CB2, and nickel--projected 2/3 rounder. Then its a late-round DL, 2 LBs (Fisher and/or Gallagher would excellent ILB depth), and a QB. Bears have till 3 PM to tag ARob.
I like Long but I think he's making a mistake. The man hasn't been healthy in 3-4 years, and when he was sort of healthy in 2019, he was one of the worst lineman in the game. I don't think he gets the happy ending, but wish him all the best nonetheless. Hopefully A-Rob is not disgruntled this season. One way to ensure that he wouldn't be is to GET A REAL QB.
There was no way he was getting to just walk away, EVEN Pace isnt that dumb. If they havent come to a deal by this point i really dont see how they do now. So the question is does Pace now trade him. Id say no, they're all far to wrapped up in short term thinking to do that. It would take Robinson going nuclear to force pace's hand imo and there's been no indication ARob is willing to do that.
Bears awarded two 6th round comp picks. Per the formula—Kwiatkowski, Chase Daniel, Clinton Dicks, Nick Williams, and Kevin Pierre-Louis get offset by Robert Quinn. Does Quinn enter the prestigious circle of bad FA signings in team history? He’d join Glennon, Barfey and Bumarr.
