Greetings all, happy offseason! I like the Fuller deal a lot. I thought for sure the Packers were going to overpay him and put Pace in a difficult position. The AAV looks like a lot - but at only 18M guarenteed on a 4 year deal that is pretty damn good. Thats what, 3M more guarenteed than he would have gotten on a 1 year franchise tag? Again the AAV looks bad but he is only going to reach it if he earns it and we dont cut him loose after 2 years. I like this deal a lot, Thanks packers! Overall I'm happy with our free agency. We overpaid for Gabriel and Burke by quite a bit IMO, but I like that both of them fill obvious needs in the new offense, and both are still in just their mid 20s. We will see if it works out but from a logic perspective both of those signings make sense as theoretical scheme fits that are young with upside. Basically the same thoughts on ARobinson but I dont think we over paid for him, I think Pace read the market perfectly with him. Between Fuller and Robinson this appears to be the first time in his tenure that Pace has really nailed his evaluation of what other teams might value guys at.
As for the Draft, with the recent trade the JETS made it is looking more and more like 4 QBS will be drafted in the top 6 or so. With Barkley looking like he will be taken before our pick too, I'm starting to get hopeful for our draft. Fitzpatrick or Chubb would be HUGE wins but I doubt they make it. Still one of these 4 - Fitzpatrick, Chubb, Edmunds and Nelson is likely to be available, and I'd be thrilled with any of them.
I think Mongo does it usually (?), but is anyone going to run the mock draft? That’s a good time and something to look forward to.
Looking at the structuring of the recent contracts the Bears handed out and it takes some sting out of the reported numbers. Gabriel was overpaid but it's a backloaded deal with a 2.5M hit in 2018 and his contract can be out after two years. With the exception of Fuller....all of the new contract signed become absolute minimal in dead money by 2020....which means it these signings don't work out then it's something they don't to pay for year after year. Cliff Stein is one of the best in the business at structuring deals.
Is it Stein who is still the one in charge of this? I only ask cos i read a report not long ago saying Pace and some other guy were negotiating with agents/working on structuring deals etc. I can't remember this guys name but it made me think maybe Stein was out? Well the biggest problem of course was that Cutler was being paid in the first place. The second was that they didn't write a weekly minimum punches in the face clause into the deal. Hard to say which one would've been more popular among the fans, I'm leaning towards the latter tho.
I'm not sure if this is true but it sure is funny!! Poor Cutler. He was probably the kid who got picked on in school and then grew up and got the chance to even the score by being a rarely successful QB for the beleaguered Bears.
Cutler got his money, got a hot wife, and got comfortable. Especially in those last years, surrounded by a front office and staff that's clearly incompetent... Well, he just showed up to collect a check. Remember when he came back from injury, one of those final games, and was all fired up and wanting to kick ass? He crushed it. I don't hold much against Cutler, but that really pissed me off. The guy showed that he clearly had it when he wanted it - he just never really wanted it. What's more, he's not a bad dude. From everything I've been able to tell, he's pretty giving with charitable causes, and while he's certainly not the best conversationalist, he's not an outright asshole. I will say, I'll never be content if we're robbed of the chance to see him as a commentator, again. I would pay time and money to see Cutler tear people to shreds on national television. You know, because as always, Cutty don't care. Just, in this case, it's redeeming, and not maddeningly upsetting / depressing. Alright, moving on to better things!! Jonathan Hankins is currently a free agent. I know, it's not the highest priority, and he's not going to be cheap, but... I wouldn't want to run against Goldman and Hankins up front. C'mon, Pace.
Hankins would be a fun signing but I doubt Pace goes for it. Apparently the Bears are interested in new free agent Allen Hurns. I hope we dont bite on him. Personally I think hes just "a guy". I'd rather have Meredith back on, presumably, a cheaper deal. I wouldn't be opposed to giving him a contract where only the first year has guarentees but other than that i'd pass.
They bumped him to another position as the Vice President of Football Administration and General Counsel but I would bet my house being the General Counsel that he is still overlooking those contracts. I think previous he was the Senior General Counsel or some shit like that.
Yeah as Tuna says above he got a promotion but he remains the Bears chief contract negotiator. For pretty good reason.....he's one of few members of the Bears front office I wouldn't shoot in the head.
McMannis back on a 2 year deal. Timu back on a 1 year deal. Annnnnd for some stupid reason, Pace thought it necessary to waste scouts' time at Johnny Manziel's workout today in San Diego.
This is a front office move I didn't quite understand the scope of it when it happened, but the added title probably came with more money and probably added responsibility. This might be the best move they EVER made keeping him in place.
Weren't you the dunce that said the eagles won the superbowl because they never took a knee for the national anthem on the 'NFL Opinions' thread? Johnny Manziel wont make this team, the bears have Trubisky, Daniel, and Tyler Bray. Because clearly, I hold your opinion among the highest......you dumbass
Ahhhh fuck. Look who’s back. https://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/cb-marcus-cooper-gets-a-clean-slate-from-the-bears-for-2018/amp/
