BearFan PHX

And Brady got passed over into the 6th round. It's true. But it's not so much flawed logic, as it's the exception that proves the rule. Players that are expected to go in the top 5 and fall are often not so great. They're still a steal in the 2nd round, but often not high first round material - which is why a consensus of GMs let them fall before you. I'm not sold on Carter. I guess that's why I'm saying this now. If Anderson fell, I wouldn't be making this argument at all I suppose. But maybe that's because I don't think Anderson could fall, and I guess that's my point.

I don't see Anderson falling past #4 (at most!), and if Carter is there at #6, I dont want him. Ive seen that movie before. For years the Bears picked around #8, and every year a top 4 guy fell, and often we took him, and then found out why the other GMs passed on him. There is a long list of names like that that we've taken over the years.

what if the scouts love one of the other guys? Im just saying, it's like war - you never have enough info, and you have to make bold decisions. I dont know what Poles thinks and what info he has. I also think that there is some smaller benefit to a GM to start the rookie contract clock over. I dont think that would be enough to make you choose one guy over another, but there are multiple concerns and options. Its a highly dynamic situation. But if you want my best guess? Fields stays, we put pieces around him, he ascends and is a top 10 QB in the league. And if not, 2024 would be the best time to address it anyway, with a lot more information. Once we know how Fields plays in 2023, this will all get a lot clearer.

for sure. I dont see anyone offering what we'd need to make a deal like that at this point. I suppose someone could argue that one of the three QBs is a cant miss superstar, but the consensus top pick is undersized and at best he is just what Fields was when we drafted him. And Fields has two NFL seasons under his belt now. Unless some GM is just in love past the point of logic with Fields, or if the Bears scouts really think one of the rookies is a cant miss hall of famer, both of which seem extremely far fetched, we are keeping Fields - at least through 2023. After next year we will know what we have.

I agree 95%. I do think you give Fields weapons and protection, and he will ascend. But he hasn't done it yet, so it's all a guess. Like I said, Im making the same guess with you, but I have to admit that until he does it on the field, it is just an assumption of things to come. The other point is that you said you wouldn't trade Fields no matter what the compensation. There is a price for any player. If someone offered five first rounders for Fields, you'd have to take it. No one will of course. It's so lopsided that it both makes my example, and is something no team would ever do. What about four tho? Or three? I agree with you guys. We are keeping Fields, and he will grow. I cant wait to see it. But if you're a good GM, you have to chase down all the what-ifs. Lastly, all the rumors about trading Fields are meant to force the Texans into the bidding battle with the Colts and other teams, to raise the price we get for the pick. I dont think they are serious. Not because there isnt a price we would take for Fields, but I dont see anyone offering it. One interesting question is whether the Colts would offer more for Fields or for the #1 pick.

I totally agree. All the scenarios are good ones, but which one is the best? It's a hell of a riddle.

It's a difficult question, and the answer hinges entirely on the evaluation of the players. On one hand, if this guy is Von Miller, you gotta take him. There are only 5 QBs and 5 Pass Rushers each year that take over games. If you have one of each, you fill around them and compete for SuperBowls. A dominant pass rusher is worth any number of other players who arent world beaters. On the other hand, he is undersized, and if he isn't the next pass rushing messiah then by all means you trade down. And you dont know. Its all a guess. Trubisky looks better than Mahomes to your talent evaluation department, but is he worth trading up for, or might our outlook be so fuzzy that even if we think Trubisky is better, maybe Mahomes will surprise us - what do we actually KNOW? So it all comes down to our scouting department, and Poles and Cunningham taking input form coaches etc and making the right decisions. A lot of good GMs have failed at this too. Oh, and I suppose it matters what you think of Jalen Carter too. If hes the guy, or also the guy along with Anderson, that plays into it too. I dont see it, but what do I know? It takes information, intelligence, wisdom and luck. If you arent SURE Anderson is the guy in a 4-3, you gotta go with the trade down. But if he is, you gotta draft superman no matter what. So how do we on this board answer this? We can look at film, and guess. This is just one of several intriguing questions this offseason. I cant remember one that was as much fun as this one is right now.

spending money is easy. the question is, if you cut Whitehair, with the cap money you save in doing that, could you afford a better player? or forget the money - just is there a better player than Whitehair? I say yes. He isnt that good, he just looked good playing next to the Mustipher. the OL is WIDE open for Poles.

exactly, but if we end up taking Anderson, that wont be so bad either. We have a lot of ways we can go, and all of them are good.

all that is good, but i mean, I think he can find a player who is simply better than Whitehair. I think Whitehair may have looked good next to some other players, but he is not really that good objectively.

he would look great in blue and orange. someone somewhere has to figure out whether he is worth picking at 2 or 4 rather than trading down, getting the next guy and another player. If he ends up in Chicago, I will be very pleased.

Payne should come in between 18M and 21M a year. Likely 19.5 ish

I think there is a good chance Whitehair is gone. He simply costs too much, and even with his dead cap money, you could replace him with the cap savings from cutting him.

That'd be a good deal. I think we will have to pay more to sign him.

Good for him. He played well this year - I'm interested to see how he grows and where he is headed as a player too. I doubt he's reached anything near his ceiling as a rookie.

Also keep in mind we are almost certain to sign at least one big free agent on the DL, and that might affect what we do in the draft too. For example, I don't see us signing (or trading for) a big name DT and then taking Jalen Carter. Frankly, I don't see us taking him anyway. maybe if he falls to like 8 or something, but not in the top 5. We are so wide open from here it's incredible.

amen, and i expect Fields will end this discussion with his passing in 2023

I guess it depends on the trade offer. I assume we'd all trade Fields for four first round picks. Of course for the same reason, no one is offering four firsts for him either. But even if you're not sold on Fields as a passer (yet?) I don't think any of the QBs this year's draft are that dominant. Caleb Williams is coming out next year, and he is a much better NFL prospect, I think. So even in the worst case scenario, you still keep Fields and give him 2023 with a line and some targets and see what kind of passer he becomes. I think he's gonna be great, but if he isn't, then you have a high pick in the 2024 draft. If we get a 2024 first round pick in trading down this year, it increases the chances that we could replace Fields if he fails in 2023 with a top pick, and if Fields emerges the way a lot of think he will, then you are even better off to put talent around him. Marvin Harrison Jr for example? So, even if you are cynical on Fields, I dont really see the point in drafting a new QB this year, rather than giving Fields 2023 before you have to make that decision, with a better QB prospect waiting in the wings. long way of saying, even if one agrees with their feelings on Fields, dumping him now is still dumb. Well for less that four first rounders anyway LOL

I was just saying this this weekend - even with all the rules changes to help the offense, when you get to the top levels, and the games really matter, the defenses can still take over a game. Looking at YOU Roquan, ya fake.

I am predicting 3 new starters on the OL. A new center, a new tackle, and a new guard.

hahaha its a good time to be a Bears fan!

so with you

OK, you were right and I was wrong! https://dknation.draftkings.com/nfl/2022/8/30/23328786/nfl-waiver-wire-rules-2022-which-team-has-top-priority-claims-order What I said is right for most Fantasy Football waiver wires, but you are correct when it comes to the NFL. That's gonna be a big deal. Thanks!

I agree BUT I think once you successfully make a waiver claim, then you go to the back of the list. I dont think you stay at the top of the order every time? I googled to try to find this info, but was unable to find anything. Maybe I'm wrong. I hope so!

This is true, but i think once you make a single waiver claim, then you go to the end of the line, and the previous #2 is the new first up, when they make a claim they move behind us etc. So we can use this special power once, and I guess it would depend on when Washington gives up on him.