Bears 11.0: Free Agency, College Pro days, Draft & beyond

[Betta Bulleavit]

Bears ranked as second best off season- Pats were #1:

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/nfl/article/nfl-power-rankings-who-had-the-best-and-worst-offseasons-ranking-them-1-32-130040196.html

I don’t think there’s any doubt that we had a great off season on paper. But it’s time for us to show the product on the field. Not sure about you guys, but I’m about tired of the “Off-Season Champion” jokes that keep flying around.

[fleet]

Funny that I am most interested in seeing how well Monangai does

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[dice]

"Let's waste another year of Caleb's rookie contract" is a strategic approach I am glad to see the Bears rejecting.

Well, we can’t undo the situation the Bears botched already. Unless you’re worried about being in the Super Bowl in 2026, not sure what that non quote means. Potentially wasting a year of developing this offense with the people who will be here long term seems like the real hypothetical concern against Caleb’s rookie deal.

It means the Bears show no sign of taking a "step back" this season, intentionally, for the dubious reason that it will somehow result in better long-term development.

if not for that thinking, caleb and ben would not be here

[dice]

Bears ranked as second best off season- Pats were #1:

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/nfl/article/nfl-power-rankings-who-had-the-best-and-worst-offseasons-ranking-them-1-32-130040196.html

I don’t think there’s any doubt that we had a great off season on paper. But it’s time for us to show the product on the field. Not sure about you guys, but I’m about tired of the “Off-Season Champion” jokes that keep flying around.

i am simply shocked that the teams with the most cap space and good draft capital had the best offseasons

[fleet]

Well, we can’t undo the situation the Bears botched already. Unless you’re worried about being in the Super Bowl in 2026, not sure what that non quote means. Potentially wasting a year of developing this offense with the people who will be here long term seems like the real hypothetical concern against Caleb’s rookie deal.

It means the Bears show no sign of taking a "step back" this season, intentionally, for the dubious reason that it will somehow result in better long-term development.

if not for that thinking, caleb and ben would not be here

Andy Dalton should not have been benched. Heck, Andy Dalton would not have been sacked a quadrillion times last year, and if he’d been here all along all these years, things would be a lot different around here. Most likely not to anyone’s liking who enjoys this current roster .

[Dresden]

Watch on YouTube

Colston Loveland's highlights from 2023, when MI won it all. Caleb is going to love throwing to this guy I think. He looks more agile and quicker than Cole, has great hands, and presents a huge target to throw to.

And at 8:35 or so, who does Loveland get away from for a nice catch? Ruben Hipollite.

[biggestbullsfan]

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Extra 7th rounder is better than nothing lol

[Jeffster81]

Bears ranked as second best off season- Pats were #1:

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/nfl/article/nfl-power-rankings-who-had-the-best-and-worst-offseasons-ranking-them-1-32-130040196.html

To be fair, Patriots had more work to do than the Bears. It does not surprise me.

[Dresden]

Bears Tried to Trade Up for RB:

Dan Widener, via Yahoo Sports:

"On Friday evening, fingers in the Halas Hall draft room remained crossed that a swing at landing a playmaking running back would connect," Wiederer wrote. "Poles pressed the gas and made aggressive attempts to trade up. Henderson’s blend of speed and vision, plus his tenacity in pass protection and skill as a pass catcher, were alluring. The Bears had significant interest."

The Bears were discussing possible deals with the teams in front of the New England Patriots, the team that ended up taking Henderson one pick in front of them, but couldn't close a trade. Chicago stood pat and selected Burden, still giving them an offensive weapon to add to head coach Ben Johnson's offense.

Henderson and Jeanty weren't the only backs the Bears had interest in. Wiederer reports that Chicago had interest in Arizona State's Cam Skattebo, who was selected by the New York Giants just four picks before the Bears were on the clock. Poles opted to trade down with the Buffalo Bills a few minutes later. It's clear the Bears were sniped multiple times while trying to add a running back, which seemed to be an obvious need.

To his credit, Poles was working the phones to try and move ahead of some of these teams to get the player he coveted. He had a limit, however, and wouldn't overpay by relinquishing future assets. "I do think you can get into a lot of trouble when you start trying to manipulate things to get into certain pockets, and it ends up hurting your team long term," Poles said via Wiederer when the draft was complete...

[Dresden]

If they really wanted Skatebo, why didn't they use their last pick in the 2nd on him? He went early in the 3rd.

[sco]

Bears Tried to Trade Up for RB:

Dan Widener, via Yahoo Sports:

"On Friday evening, fingers in the Halas Hall draft room remained crossed that a swing at landing a playmaking running back would connect," Wiederer wrote. "Poles pressed the gas and made aggressive attempts to trade up. Henderson’s blend of speed and vision, plus his tenacity in pass protection and skill as a pass catcher, were alluring. The Bears had significant interest."

The Bears were discussing possible deals with the teams in front of the New England Patriots, the team that ended up taking Henderson one pick in front of them, but couldn't close a trade. Chicago stood pat and selected Burden, still giving them an offensive weapon to add to head coach Ben Johnson's offense.

Henderson and Jeanty weren't the only backs the Bears had interest in. Wiederer reports that Chicago had interest in Arizona State's Cam Skattebo, who was selected by the New York Giants just four picks before the Bears were on the clock. Poles opted to trade down with the Buffalo Bills a few minutes later. It's clear the Bears were sniped multiple times while trying to add a running back, which seemed to be an obvious need.

To his credit, Poles was working the phones to try and move ahead of some of these teams to get the player he coveted. He had a limit, however, and wouldn't overpay by relinquishing future assets. "I do think you can get into a lot of trouble when you start trying to manipulate things to get into certain pockets, and it ends up hurting your team long term," Poles said via Wiederer when the draft was complete...

Totally called this...had the feeling too many times not to recognize getting sniped during drafts. Best thing to do is to just pick the best remaining guy at the top of your board.

[Almost Retired]

Funny that I am most interested in seeing how well Monangai does

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My favorite highlights of Monangai are of him leveling blitzing guys to protect his QB. Despite his short frame he packs a lot of power that he delivers right into their chest. BJ and his staff are going to love this kid.

[nomorezorro]

If they really wanted Skatebo, why didn't they use their last pick in the 2nd on him? He went early in the 3rd.

skattebo was picked in the 4th round, 40+ picks after the bears last second-rounder

given their seeming lack of interest in the day 3 prospects, i'm kind of surprised they didn't package 109+148 to swing a trade up to the late 3rd/early 4th to secure him, but maybe the top three picks in the 4th were set on picking their guys and weren't interested in moving off their spot. might be even more surprised that they couldn't move up ahead of NE for henderson, because i think suspect they liked him a lot, but ultimately it's probably good process that they're not moving up to draft a RB.

[patryk7754]

Not sure if it’s been talked about but I can see burden being our returner on top of being WR3.

[patryk7754]

To cap off the offseason I’d like to sign Tyron smith, Nick Chubb and ZaDarius Smith

[TheJordanRule]

Funny that I am most interested in seeing how well Monangai does

Read on Twitter

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Read on Twitter

My favorite highlights of Monangai are of him leveling blitzing guys to protect his QB. Despite his short frame he packs a lot of power that he delivers right into their chest. BJ and his staff are going to love this kid.

Damn. I'll take a pass blocking beast after years of watching Herbert. I hope this kid can do this at the NFL level. A lot of guys never learn to do this.

[Dresden]

If they really wanted Skatebo, why didn't they use their last pick in the 2nd on him? He went early in the 3rd.

skattebo was picked in the 4th round, 40+ picks after the bears last second-rounder

given their seeming lack of interest in the day 3 prospects, i'm kind of surprised they didn't package 109+148 to swing a trade up to the late 3rd/early 4th to secure him, but maybe the top three picks in the 4th were set on picking their guys and weren't interested in moving off their spot. might be even more surprised that they couldn't move up ahead of NE for henderson, because i think suspect they liked him a lot, but ultimately it's probably good process that they're not moving up to draft a RB.

My mistake. If that was the case, it is surprising they didn't make a move to get him. He is very poor in pass protection though. Would have been fun to see him in this offense.

Between Monongai, Roschon and Ian Wheeler, they have 3 guys who might be able to step into a larger role. We'll see.

[Dresden]

"ESPN's Matt Miller ranked the 100 best picks in the draft, where Burden landed in the No. 1 spot as Miller's top receiver and given his current situation getting to work with Johnson. Bears rookie tight end Colston Loveland, selected 10th overall, also made the list at No. 7.

Burden was my top wide receiver in the class (I'm counting Travis Hunter as a two-way player), and he landed in a great situation with the Bears and new coach Ben Johnson. Burden's yards-after-catch ability is terrific, and Johnson's scheme has been elite at creating space for wide receivers. Burden likely starts as a slot receiver with DJ Moore and Rome Odunze flanking him, but he thrived in that alignment at Missouri."

[dice]

Bears Tried to Trade Up for RB:

Dan Widener, via Yahoo Sports:

"On Friday evening, fingers in the Halas Hall draft room remained crossed that a swing at landing a playmaking running back would connect," Wiederer wrote. "Poles pressed the gas and made aggressive attempts to trade up. Henderson’s blend of speed and vision, plus his tenacity in pass protection and skill as a pass catcher, were alluring. The Bears had significant interest."

The Bears were discussing possible deals with the teams in front of the New England Patriots, the team that ended up taking Henderson one pick in front of them, but couldn't close a trade. Chicago stood pat and selected Burden, still giving them an offensive weapon to add to head coach Ben Johnson's offense.

Henderson and Jeanty weren't the only backs the Bears had interest in. Wiederer reports that Chicago had interest in Arizona State's Cam Skattebo, who was selected by the New York Giants just four picks before the Bears were on the clock. Poles opted to trade down with the Buffalo Bills a few minutes later. It's clear the Bears were sniped multiple times while trying to add a running back, which seemed to be an obvious need.

To his credit, Poles was working the phones to try and move ahead of some of these teams to get the player he coveted. He had a limit, however, and wouldn't overpay by relinquishing future assets. "I do think you can get into a lot of trouble when you start trying to manipulate things to get into certain pockets, and it ends up hurting your team long term," Poles said via Wiederer when the draft was complete...

Totally called this...had the feeling too many times not to recognize getting sniped during drafts. Best thing to do is to just pick the best remaining guy at the top of your board.

thank you to the pats and the other teams that saved poles from himself

i'm curious as to whether they really had henderson graded significantly higher than judkins, who was picked first

[CjayC]

Watch on YouTube

Colston Loveland's highlights from 2023, when MI won it all. Caleb is going to love throwing to this guy I think. He looks more agile and quicker than Cole, has great hands, and presents a huge target to throw to.

And at 8:35 or so, who does Loveland get away from for a nice catch? Ruben Hipollite.

He's cooking on those routes. He really sells it whether he's going to keep pushing vertically or break the route off.