AZ54

Yeah, seems like a lunch pail type. Just show up and work, and do it the right way. He should fit in with Fields, Mooney, and Kmet very quickly. If Claypool had issues with route running or maybe not focusing on football as much as we'd like, I think this group is going to pull him up to their standard. A rising tide lifts all ships.

He got Foreman and Billings for the same price as Montgomery. I'm watching some highlights of Foreman and he still has a little burst in his step. We'll be alright at RB. One thing to add: Last year nobody wanted to come to Chicago. This year, especially after the DJ Moore trade, I think it's easier to sign good depth FAs on these smaller deals. Those guys are usually looking for a winning organization that will put them in a good spot to get another deal.

This is a good depth signing. He should fit in quickly in the offense and on his good years he's put up 50+rec for ~500yds. Little bit of an upgrade over the backups we had last year. This year we're going to have a little bit of depth on the roster. Last year we had none at most positions.

Depression or anxiety can affect people in different ways. Sometimes that might appear as work ethic issues but can be helped with treatment (see Darren Waller). It could be immaturity or attitude as well but it's worth trying to find out. After celebrating a national championship he watched two friends get killed in a car accident in which he had some role. Then the arrest on day 1 of the combine and all the press coverage and questions from teams. It would be a lot for anyone to deal with let alone the top pick in the draft and all the media attention. Due diligence is warranted.

So no more experienced QB needed to help mentor Fields. That says a lot about how they feel about him.

I figured Walker was going to be exclusively a DT for us but Poles said they liked him on the edge to press the edge and then he can kick inside on some passing downs. In one of the film studies I've come across they said that Flus wants bigger DEs who can set the edge and keep that between G and T as small as possible on run plays. Maybe that is the plan for Walker and our first real DT signing is in fact Billings.

We're trying to replace Mike Pennel as the 4th DT. It's not a high bar to get over to find someone better. Hopefully he's done that.

Smart move and have those mental health professionals sit in on the meetings.

In that context Herbert won't get a new deal either and RB might be a much higher priority for Poles in the draft than we suspect. If this is your MO then you must always keep good young backs in the pipeline.

Worth watching for insights on the plan.. https://www.chicagobears.com/video/ryan-poles-discusses-dj-moore-free-agent-signings-press-conference He holds to his valuations/performance as well as scheme fits (i.e. Orlando Brown) Ok to pay top dollar for young high performers (relative to their peers) who fit scheme and needs and that's why we signed the two LBs. Also explains backing out of negotiations for McGlinchey when price got too high. He is on a multi-year plan to build a sustainable winning organization. (translation - fans might be in more of a rush) Therefore avoid overpaying for the quick "need" fix. This will leave some gaps (i.e. DT) but he's confident over time between this year and next we can close those gaps. He seems open to trading up in the 2nd Rd for the right player. He also appeared to be open to trading down again from 9. Whitehair is first option at Center (my words). Poles' cited Cody's past performance at Center as being pretty good. Based on that it appears Davis goes to LG, Jenkins RG. My concern here is can Whitehair snap the ball well enough and at 31 is he able to handle that switch back to the middle? This experiment gets carried out in the spring/summer. Explains letting Musty go and keeping Patrick as backup for now but I wouldn't rule out a rookie taking over the backup role. If they like what they are seeing maybe they renegotiate Whitehair's contract, if they like the rookie maybe he gets cut in camp. This seems like a reasonable plan.

Saw that with his WRs. Michael Robinson on NFL Network ripped into him saying it was the fastest way to burn bridges with his new teammates.

I saw some draft rankings tonight that have the top OTs in order: Paris Johnson Jr., Skoronski (although most likely OG), Anton Harrison, Darnell Wright, then Broderick Jones. They said Broderick Jones has some fatal flaws with his feet and balance that will hurt him in the NFL. Just something to consider should we make another trade back from 9. If we stay Paris Johnson Jr. has to be the top target. He played RG in 2021 so I don't think it'd be a big deal to switch back to RT. Plus he has traits similar to Braxton Jones. We ran a lot better to the left side last year behind Jones and if we can replicate that on the right side defenses will struggle to stop our run game. https://thedraftnetwork.com/sr-prospect/paris-johnson-jr-8c5b738d-aa9d-4e28-bbc9-800a41968975/ "Johnson is an explosive athlete with easy movement skills. He has exceptional range as a run blocker and can be trusted to execute longer pulls. He pairs top-end mobility with an impressive frame that features an athletic build with long limbs."

I'm pretty sure he's replacing Peterman but I could be wrong. He was terrible in the one Panthers game I watched last year. In terms of finding a 3rd QB who can execute read-option plays he can do some of that and he has a good enough arm. Just don't ask him to read a defense.

And we don't have to live through all the rookie learning curve issues.

I post all my fake stuff right here. Go look at my FA predictions. On a different note Mustipher didn't even get tendered an offer. Poles didn't think it was even worth hanging onto him "just in case" as a backup plan.

It's official... and he seems happy to be here. He's already met up with Fields and Mooney for dinner. https://www.chicagobears.com/news/dj-moore-on-joining-bears-justin-fields-it-going-to-be-real-special-trade

According to this article Travis Homer is good in pass pro. Definitely got our 3rd down RB and Ebner has to fight for a job. 3rd RB don’t make headlines but that’s a definite upgrade over last year. https://bearswire.usatoday.com/lists/bears-sign-travis-homer-nfl-free-agency-breakdown/

He's old and slow. Just a shell of what he used to be. if they keep Pollard as their #1 he'll be that way very quickly. They are a likely landing spot for Bijan.

My FA forecast was all wrong.

Gladly take the top 3. I’m not that high on Mazi. At 61 I think there will be better players probably a good TE to help Fields or a DT better suited for the 3 tech or OC. Can’t see Spears getting out of the 3rd Rd.

You don’t remember this? He is a 3rd down RB type. Better fit for our wide zone runs and good receiver. I like him for that role.

He's demanding $25mil/yr but Poles won't pay that (hopefully). Reports are out there that we have interest. Of course what agent who wants top dollar wouldn't be spreading that rumor. Word is that Poles only sees him as a RT which I agree with but I'm also not sure he's a good scheme fit for the running game. That said pass pro is the priority. To help him save face he'd have to get the biggest contract this offseason among the OTs and to be fair, relative to the others he's worth that. Jawaan Taylor got 4/80 with 40 guaranteed a signing, 60M total guaranteed. Top that. If Poles does this deal I'd expect him to leave himself a way out after 3 seasons. That might cost more money but aside from work ethic concerns (mine since Brown started out poorly the last two seasons) we have the looming contract extension for Fields after 3 seasons. It would also sync with the new deal for Braxton Jones. I don't see this happening. Poles has been firm on McGlinchey and othes and I can't see him changing his MO now when he holds the 9th pick in the draft.

Wow was this contract forecast spot on. This will explain why we paid him so much money and also why he's likely staying in the middle of the defense.

First, I'm glad to see Montgomery get a good deal and get it done early. A team full of players like him will always be better than the sum of it's parts and I appreciated watching his effort no matter the score or record. For sure Poles has seen his options at RB and refused to match what seems like a reasonable deal. That opens the door to what? .... and just like that my son sends me a message that we just agreed to terms with Travis Homer.

Maybe more money overall but less guaranteed, we likely will never know. While he's a good player who definitely would have helped us he's not a show stopper. Payne was a guy I'd break the bank for. Fact is you can find good DTs later in round 1, Rd 2, or even the 3rd Rd as Jones was. We have enough money to sign guys who can at least shore up the run defense. Those are cheaper than the DTs who can do both ala Jones. Last year we couldn't stop the run nor rush the passer. So fix at least one aspect via FA and use the draft for the pass rush where there is good depth.