adam

He only got $6 mil more than Jackson. I am surprised too because this was his big contract opportunity. He probably saw what happened to Jennings and Jones when they left.

Free Agents are dropping fast by re-signing with their original teams (and not even testing free agency). Kind of odd, but it is definitely going to inflate the market for those left in it. Bad news for us and others with cap space and holes to fill. https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/574377096652406784

This is from Aaron Leming who has broke several stories before the mainstream media. So his theories carry a little more weight than others. https://twitter.com/AaronLemingNFL/status/574363450983387137

Yeah, give Peanut a 1-year farewell deal and address other positions, $8.5/yr for Jackson is really high.

Raiders (ton of cap space) and San Diego have high taxes. Jags (ton of cap space) and Miami have no tax. Giants and Bears are big markets (where Suh alluded he wanted to play in). Giants and Dolphins have very little cap space, so I would be surprised if he signed a mega-contract at those locations. Jax and Oak have a ton of space making them logical. The Bears and Chargers have similar situations in regards to cap space, but Chicago is obviously the bigger market.

Yeah, these early contracts will set the market. Major Wright also re-signs with TB.

Per AdamSchefter:

Yeah, I just thought the timing of that type of life changing event pretty interesting.

Pretty cool, to each is own, just thought the timing was interesting based off recent events: https://instagram.com/p/z6lQ-ZJ4dX/

With all these notifications going out from the organization, I assume the same will be happening for external contact with prospective free agents very soon. Hopefully we get some juicy leaks.

No shocker, but confirmed nonetheless. https://twitter.com/JenLada/status/574238157841039361

So Marshall obviously knew about it when he tweeted "When you check your blood type - make sure it is not BE NEGATIVE." Still anxious to see some gains this offseason. Right now we are down x1 starting WR, which may be addition by subtraction, but eventually the hole will be too deep to get out of if you continue to subtract without adding. We also need our resident insider to chime in along with following AaronLeming all weekend.

Something to consider on the compensation in the Marshall trade. When I was looking at the Forte projected compensatory pick value, I realized that the teams may have used that as a measuring stick. Marshall's salary for 2015 is $7.5 and his average remaining is $7.9, both would fall into the 4th/5th compensatory category (late 4th) which is only 6 picks before the Jets pick that we received.

This is the last offseason to get anything for Forte, unless we extend his contract. Since compensatory picks are based on the average salary he signs, his next contract would have to average over $8.2 mil for a 3rd/4th pick, and over $5.7 mil for a 4th/5th. With the devaluing of the position, I could easily see him not hitting either of those thresholds which would only net us a 5th/6th pick.

It can't be, and I don't think it will be with this new staff. We will bring in at least 1 FA Safety.

I guess it depends on how the coaching staff values the safety position. If it is valued, then you go after McCourty, if it is not a priority focus of the defense, you upgrade with solid acquisitions like Moore and Searcy.

and if we got a few more picks from the other trades to either use or move up.

Rumors should start flying today in a few hours with the 3-day window opens prior to Free Agency.

Bears were 23-22 when Marshall played, and 0-3 when he didn't over the last 3 years.

This is Gase wanting more speed on offense. He must've watched tape of every game and saw 8 in the box on every play. We will sign Cobb, Smith, or draft a speedster.

Mad, You're all over it, I was going to say the same thing. We have seen a very common theme every offseason until now. Firing a coach after 2 yrs, GM after 3, jettisoning a highly productive player in his prime mainly due to off field concerns. This is not our normal Bears at work, which is actually refreshing. If Cutler goes, I am all in on this plan. Forte I will be mixed on, but would understand it from a business standpoint, but he seemed to have lost a step last year.

I would love Cobb, but I think he priced himself out of our market. Smith should come cheaper

Smith is only a year older than Alshon. That would be a pretty solid 1-2 for a good 4-5 years.

Most beat writers in favor of the trade: http://sportsmockery.com/2015/03/brandon-m...ons-on-twitter/

I wasn't trying to be an ass about the age, but one year is a pretty big deal after 30 in football. I agree that he is probably one of the top 5 WR's in the last decade and his production will be missed, but injuries have started to pile up and will eventually impact performance. His style of play makes me think he will be more susceptible to injury going forward (he rarely goes out of bounds and makes a lot of contested catches). Also, with his off the field interests growing, I can see him leaving the game sooner than later (like Barber).