Turning the page

[ASHKUM BEAR]

Landing Justin Fields added a new chapter that no one knew was coming.  We figured this book was ending with the Red Rifle leading the Bears down a tanking season with hopes of landing a top 1-3 pick next year.  Could you imagine going through that scenario and then the top QB prospect is from North Carolina.  That would have been a nightmare.  The magic that just happened guaranteed a sequel.  As I look at this team and it's new needs, next season I am thinking they are looking for a WR and CB as high priority (2-3).  It would be nice to get another WR with size and also find a solid replacement for Fuller.  Then (5,6, & 7) S, OLB, ILB,  & DT are all needs the D will soon need and I can see another OT for depth and maybe TE on offense.  By landing Fields, the Bears have put themselves back into a SB window many years earlier. 

[Stinger226]

We're in a whole different place with Fields.  If they can't resign ARob then they will be definitely be going after a WR. Hicks and Trevathan will probably be gone,  so we will have some holes to fill. 

[BearFan2000]

I'm hoping it's possible that Robinson now has more motivation to stay with Fields on board and taking the offense to a new level once he's ready to take over.  Perhaps this will motivate Robinson to work out a deal to stay here and be a part of this.  Fields represents possibly the best QB he'd ever played with. On the other hand if this is his last year here, then I think the Bears will still be alright.  We'll draft and probably bring in new FA's to take his place.  I feel like we have a QB in Fields that will make his receivers better, rather than a QB who needs his receivers to make him look better.  

[BearFan PHX]

Sure, but both is best. A great QB and a great WR is the stuff Super Bowl dreams are made of.

I think it is very likely Robinson will get a long term deal before the season starts.

[Stinger226]

I think ARob won't be staying unless he sees 20 mil a year. To many WRs getting big money.

[adam]

Next year is going to be interesting for WRs. Only Mooney, Ridley, and Newsome have contracts past this year.

The Bears have a ton of free agents after this season and only $37M in cap space, so it is going to be interesting.

Offense:

ARob - extend
Miller 
Goodwin  - extend
Byrd  - extend
Wims
Graham
Holtz (RFA)  - extend
Daniels  - extend
Mustipher (ERFA)  - extend
Williams 
Bars (RFA)  - extend

Hicks
Nichols  - extend
Vaughters (RFA) - extend
Iyiegbuniwe  - extend
Jones  - extend
Woods (RFA)  - extend
Gipson  - extend
Trufant
Bush  - extend
Houston-Carson  - extend
Burns
Roberson

O'Donnell  - extend
Scales  - extend

That is 17 extensions, which is hard to see that happening. So we have to clear more space:

Potential Cap Casualties:
1. Quinn - $3.1M Dead Cap, $12.9M savings - Cut
2. Trevathan - $2.4M Dead Cap, $3.5M savings - Cut
3. Dalton - $2.5M Dead Cap, $2.5M savings - Cut
4. Cohen - $1.75M Dead Cap, $4M savings - depends on how he looks post ACL. If he is worse, then you have to consider cutting him at that salary.
5. Goldman - $2.95M Dead Cap, $8.8M savings - huge cap hit and he is another guy to watch this season. He may end up as a cut if he doesn't perform well.

Those 5 would clear over $31M, but then make 2-3 starter holes depending on who you view as a starter.

 

 

 

[ASHKUM BEAR]

7 minutes ago, Stinger226 said:

I think ARob won't be staying unless he sees 20 mil a year. To many WRs getting big money.

I think it is also unlikely and a good reason to use a high draft pick on one next draft.  Pace needs to build around Fields. Something he did not do to well for Mitch.