Grant vs Cohen vs Patterson as the Bears Swiss Army Knife

[adam]

If you can only have one. Who are you signing/keeping as the Bears Do-it-all Player?

1. Grant is a FA, was pretty dynamic on punt returns and flashed some skills on offense (albeit in a small sample size, 9 rec, 139 yds and 2 TDs). He will probably be seeking a deal similar to his last one, 2-3M per year. So do you bring Grant back for $2-3M a year as the primary PR with some potential offensive snaps?

2. Cohen has the 8th highest cap hit on the team for 2022 and basically hasn't played in 2 years. He has a $5.75M cap hit in 2022, and his cap hit balloons to $7.5M in 2023. If you cut him pre-June 1, you save $2.25M and have $3.5M in dead money. Post-June 1 you save $4M and have only $1.75M dead money, but that cap space can't be used until June 1st. He caught 150 balls in 19 & 20 and scored 8 TDs receiving as his role seemed to shift to more of a receiver in 2019 before getting hurt in 2020.  Do you bring him back for $5.75M and hope he is back to 100% after two years off or cut him?

3. Patterson flourished in Atlanta after getting out of the Nagy offense and was literally a jack-of-all-trades player with 618 rushing yards, 548 receiving yards, and 434 Kickoff Return yards (lowest of his career). He had as many offensive touches in 2021 (205) as he had in the last 4 seasons and also scored a career-high 11 TDs. He will probably get $4-6M on the FA market, but will he want to return kickoffs full time? Would you sign him as the "Adjustor"?

1. Grant for $2-3M (could use the $2.25M cap savings from Cohen and pay less than league minimum out of pocket).
2. Cohen for $5.75M
3. Patterson for $4-6M, roughly the same price as Cohen (could cost $2-4M out of pocket if you cut Cohen and used the savings)

[AZ54]

26 minutes ago, adam said:

If you can only have one. Who are you signing/keeping as the Bears Do-it-all Player?

1. Grant is a FA, was pretty dynamic on punt returns and flashed some skills on offense (albeit in a small sample size, 9 rec, 139 yds and 2 TDs). He will probably be seeking a deal similar to his last one, 2-3M per year. So do you bring Grant back for $2-3M a year as the primary PR with some potential offensive snaps?

2. Cohen has the 8th highest cap hit on the team for 2022 and basically hasn't played in 2 years. He has a $5.75M cap hit in 2022, and his cap hit balloons to $7.5M in 2023. If you cut him pre-June 1, you save $2.25M and have $3.5M in dead money. Post-June 1 you save $4M and have only $1.75M dead money, but that cap space can't be used until June 1st. He caught 150 balls in 19 & 20 and scored 8 TDs receiving as his role seemed to shift to more of a receiver in 2019 before getting hurt in 2020.  Do you bring him back for $5.75M and hope he is back to 100% after two years off or cut him?

3. Patterson flourished in Atlanta after getting out of the Nagy offense and was literally a jack-of-all-trades player with 618 rushing yards, 548 receiving yards, and 434 Kickoff Return yards (lowest of his career). He had as many offensive touches in 2021 (205) as he had in the last 4 seasons and also scored a career-high 11 TDs. He will probably get $4-6M on the FA market, but will he want to return kickoffs full time? Would you sign him as the "Adjustor"?

1. Grant for $2-3M (could use the $2.25M cap savings from Cohen and pay less than league minimum out of pocket).
2. Cohen for $5.75M
3. Patterson for $4-6M, roughly the same price as Cohen (could cost $2-4M out of pocket if you cut Cohen and used the savings)

Great analysis.  I'm taking Grant.  He's effective enough, but doesn't offer the kick coverage skills Patterson has but at half price we can sort that out. 

Cohen can stick with his Fortnite clan.  

 

[adam]

17 minutes ago, AZ54 said:

Great analysis.  I'm taking Grant.  He's effective enough, but doesn't offer the kick coverage skills Patterson has but at half price we can sort that out. 

Cohen can stick with his Fortnite clan.  

 

Yeah that's the route I hope they go, cut Cohen, use money on Grant. Herbert and Newsome can handle KOs.

[Stinger226]

After hearing Cohen say he didn't want to hit the field until he was 100% tells me he has a mental block because of injury. Normally his injury is 9 to 12 months and he has been out 17 months. He will never be the same. Move on, and get the dynamic playmaker in Grant, although on limited snaps. Grant has more speed .

[Alaskan Grizzly]

Grant and Cohen are interchangeable.  Grant I think has the edge due to his (sustained) return capabilities and lack of injury history.  If you’re looking for a Tyreek Hill type player for the offense, you go with Grant.  
 

If you’re looking for a player like Debo Samuel you go for Patterson.  Suppose it depends on what style offense they’re gonna go with.  Getsy was WR coach for the Packers about the same time Ty Montgomery made the conversion from WR to RB.  Maybe a factor, maybe not.   

 

[Mongo3451]

Grant is good for his returns and slot versatility.  It was nice to Patterson have a decent season.  His best niche is in special teams.  Now, if they want a Deebo type of player, Cohen is the best suited for that roll, plus he fields punts. (If healthy and hungry)

Overall, we need more physicality out of the WR role.  That is our greatest weakness outside of OL.

[Bill]

My first thought was Grant.  But then I looked at Pattersons year and he played four different positions in a very efficient way.  Four positions for 6 mil?   How much is getting a player or two or three for his price?  And he would do a better job anyway.  He can be a starter incase of injury for a few games.   Can he do it again in a new offense?