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

[dice]

I saw Caleb/Bowers as a Pat/Travis type duo eventually. Looks like I woulda been spot on.

except for, ya know, the mahomes part

[NecessaryEvil]

I saw Caleb/Bowers as a Pat/Travis type duo eventually. Looks like I woulda been spot on.

except for, ya know, the mahomes part

3500 passing yards
500 rushing

The worst OC in football, one who didn’t even watch film with his rookie

The worst head coach in football, situationally and every other way

Hell, those fools didn’t even utilize Kmet.

Caleb and Brock, in Chicago, with atleast a competent coaching staff would of fed families

[Dresden]

Dayo on why he chose the Bears: "With all the guys coming in and having Caleb being young, coach Ben [Johnson] coming in, coach Dennis Allen coming in, we have an opportunity to do something special in a special city and it's exciting," Odeyingbo said. "This really wasn't an opportunity I could pass up and it really didn't make the decision hard."

[Dresden]

Looks like we signed a new kick returner:

Duvernay is a two-time Pro Bowler as a return man and was named an All-Pro in 2021, earning those accolades during his time in Baltimore.

With the Jaguars in 2024, Duvernay averaged 25.1 yards per kick return on 14 attempts and 8.8 yards per punt return on 19 attempts, according to PFF. We also saw Parker Washington handled some return duties as well.

[NecessaryEvil]

A lot of guys around the league are going to want to play for Ben Johnson

[Dresden]

And DeAndre Carter signs with the Browns.

[Dresden]

One interesting thing is that the Bears have not signed anyone to be Caleb's backup. I don't know if that's because they like Bagent, or if he was signed to a guaranteed contract that makes it tough to move on from him. Will be interesting to see if they draft anyone at that position in the later rounds.

[panthermark]

Heck, take a look at MHJ and McBride in Arizona (McBride went to the Pro-Bowl as a TE. Similar numbers to Brock).
Then look at Nabors in NY.....170 targets! Also went to the Pro-Bowl. (He clearly led the Giants in targets!)
Look at Brian Thomas Jr and his targets (133)! Went to the Pro-Bowl. He more than doubled the #2 player on the Jags for targets.

You start going down the list of 1st round WR's (except Ricky...who got shot), it is a damn shame how much Rome got shafted.
Xavier Worthy had 98 targets, 2nd on the Chiefs behind Kelce.
Xavier Legette had 84 targets, that led the Panthers.

Only Poles can answer as to why KA wasn't moved at the deadline to a contender while this team was in a tail spin because of all the 1st round pass catchers that were not shot in the off-season, only our guy managed to be 3rd on his respective team in targets....and that incudes our TE being completely forgotten about. The rookies that were 2nd in targets on their teams (MHJ and Worthy) were 2nd to TE's that went to the Pro-Bowl!!!! All of them (minus Rome and Ricky) were the #1 WR options.

I think there's a lot of reasons why Rome saw fewer targets, but it's hard to blame it Keenan Allen not being moved. For one thing, Allen seemed to have the best chemistry with Caleb. So why would you trade your rookie QB's favorite target when he's struggling so badly to begin with? another reason might be that the Bears O line was so poor last year and Rome might have been running more deep routes, which Caleb didn't have time for. Another reason might be that Rome just didn't get open as often- that was one knock on him coming out of college- his inability to get separation.

Also the Bears offense as a whole was one of the worst in the league, so ran fewer plays, and fewer pass plays.

Rome may have been unique in that he was drafted top 10 but was WR3 on his team. I don't know how many WR's in the past 10 years went into a situation like that. The thinking obviously was to give Caleb a lot of targets. Turned it that having targets wasn't the issue- it was having enough time to throw. Plus a crappy offense by Waldron.

In any case, I don't see how Rome "got shafted". If that applies to anyone, it was Kmet, and it was to his credit that he never complained about that one bit. Rome willl get his opportunities this year. Let's see what he makes of them.

I wanted him moved because the chemistry was irrelevant.

He was brought in Mooney left. It made perfect sense at the time of the trade, but we lucked into Odunze being at #9.
Early on, KA was hurt and even when he came back, the team was out of synch and not getting W's.
I don't care if KA was CW's favorite target if the team was still losing and CW was still struggling. In the end, him being here didn't really help. His favorite target produced 744 yards and had one of the lowest catch percentages on the team even though he was a possession WR.
Moore, Rome, and Kmet (and Swift and Rosch and Scott) are all younger, and have longer contracts. Those are the guys that needed the reps and chemistry for this upcoming season. If it would have been a situation like Fields/Moore where CW/KA was the best QB combo in the league, or the Bears would have been winning games, then I would not have wanted him traded at the deadline.

KA probably won't even be here in 2025, which in the end makes trading for him, coupled with not moving him, a bust of a move and a waste of a 4th.


As for Odunze getting the shaft, that was really in the context of all the other rookie pass catchers drafted in the 1st round, but yes, Kmet got screwed as well. Lowest targets since his rookie season.

[Almost Retired]

One interesting thing is that the Bears have not signed anyone to be Caleb's backup. I don't know if that's because they like Bagent, or if he was signed to a guaranteed contract that makes it tough to move on from him. Will be interesting to see if they draft anyone at that position in the later rounds.

I read on some website that Brett Rypien was hanging around Halas Hall, with speculation he'd be added as QB3 if he couldn't arrange a roster spot elsewhere. I think Bill Zimmerman wrote an article about it in Windy City Gridiron a week ago or so.

[molepharmer]

With all these recent signings, it would seem Richard Hightower is getting most of the gang back together. This off-season Bears extended Blackwell and Ogbongbemiga, re-signed free agents T Homer, S Daly, T Moore, D Hardy and added Duvernay. Only two players missing from top 14 snap count Special Teamers is Sanborn and J Martin.

[Dresden]

One interesting thing is that the Bears have not signed anyone to be Caleb's backup. I don't know if that's because they like Bagent, or if he was signed to a guaranteed contract that makes it tough to move on from him. Will be interesting to see if they draft anyone at that position in the later rounds.

I read on some website that Brett Rypien was hanging around Halas Hall, with speculation he'd be added as QB3 if he couldn't arrange a roster spot elsewhere. I think Bill Zimmerman wrote an article about it in Windy City Gridiron a week ago or so.

I think that would be an excellent QB3. He looked very good in pre season last year.

[Dresden]

Heck, take a look at MHJ and McBride in Arizona (McBride went to the Pro-Bowl as a TE. Similar numbers to Brock).
Then look at Nabors in NY.....170 targets! Also went to the Pro-Bowl. (He clearly led the Giants in targets!)
Look at Brian Thomas Jr and his targets (133)! Went to the Pro-Bowl. He more than doubled the #2 player on the Jags for targets.

You start going down the list of 1st round WR's (except Ricky...who got shot), it is a damn shame how much Rome got shafted.
Xavier Worthy had 98 targets, 2nd on the Chiefs behind Kelce.
Xavier Legette had 84 targets, that led the Panthers.

Only Poles can answer as to why KA wasn't moved at the deadline to a contender while this team was in a tail spin because of all the 1st round pass catchers that were not shot in the off-season, only our guy managed to be 3rd on his respective team in targets....and that incudes our TE being completely forgotten about. The rookies that were 2nd in targets on their teams (MHJ and Worthy) were 2nd to TE's that went to the Pro-Bowl!!!! All of them (minus Rome and Ricky) were the #1 WR options.

I think there's a lot of reasons why Rome saw fewer targets, but it's hard to blame it Keenan Allen not being moved. For one thing, Allen seemed to have the best chemistry with Caleb. So why would you trade your rookie QB's favorite target when he's struggling so badly to begin with? another reason might be that the Bears O line was so poor last year and Rome might have been running more deep routes, which Caleb didn't have time for. Another reason might be that Rome just didn't get open as often- that was one knock on him coming out of college- his inability to get separation.

Also the Bears offense as a whole was one of the worst in the league, so ran fewer plays, and fewer pass plays.

Rome may have been unique in that he was drafted top 10 but was WR3 on his team. I don't know how many WR's in the past 10 years went into a situation like that. The thinking obviously was to give Caleb a lot of targets. Turned it that having targets wasn't the issue- it was having enough time to throw. Plus a crappy offense by Waldron.

In any case, I don't see how Rome "got shafted". If that applies to anyone, it was Kmet, and it was to his credit that he never complained about that one bit. Rome willl get his opportunities this year. Let's see what he makes of them.

I wanted him moved because the chemistry was irrelevant.

He was brought in Mooney left. It made perfect sense at the time of the trade, but we lucked into Odunze being at #9.
Early on, KA was hurt and even when he came back, the team was out of synch and not getting W's.
I don't care if KA was CW's favorite target if the team was still losing and CW was still struggling. In the end, him being here didn't really help. His favorite target produced 744 yards and had one of the lowest catch percentages on the team even though he was a possession WR.
Moore, Rome, and Kmet (and Swift and Rosch and Scott) are all younger, and have longer contracts. Those are the guys that needed the reps and chemistry for this upcoming season. If it would have been a situation like Fields/Moore where CW/KA was the best QB combo in the league, or the Bears would have been winning games, then I would not have wanted him traded at the deadline.

KA probably won't even be here in 2025, which in the end makes trading for him, coupled with not moving him, a bust of a move and a waste of a 4th.


As for Odunze getting the shaft, that was really in the context of all the other rookie pass catchers drafted in the 1st round, but yes, Kmet got screwed as well. Lowest targets since his rookie season.

So you have a rookie QB who is struggling, and you want to take away from him the one guy he seems to have some confidence in? That's like pulling the lifejacket away from a guy who just fell overboard. And who knows if Poles didn't try to trade him but there were no takers? There was always hope that things would turn around, too, and that having 3 good WR's would help Caleb and the offense start to get going. I can't fault Poles for letting it play out, or for trading for Allen in the first place.

[Dresden]

Teven signed by the Browns. No word on the contract. PFF was projecting around 3/40 for him.

[Dresden]

Fields on why he signed with the Jets over the Steelers:

“I think, No. 1, coach (Aaron) Glenn,” Fields told newyorkjets.com reporter Ethan Greenberg. “I’ve played against him early in my career. I know how passionate he is about the game, the way he coaches, the way his players play. So I think that was the biggest thing for me. And just the opportunity, the fans, of course, the city. When you win here, there’s no better place to win. Those reasons are ultimately why I ended up here.”

I thought Tomlin was generally considered a coach that players loved to play for so it is a bit surprising Justin seemed to prefer Aaron Glenn over Tomlin. Of course, Fields did get benched last year by Tomlin, so there's that.

[sco]

Fields on why he signed with the Jets over the Steelers:

“I think, No. 1, coach (Aaron) Glenn,” Fields told newyorkjets.com reporter Ethan Greenberg. “I’ve played against him early in my career. I know how passionate he is about the game, the way he coaches, the way his players play. So I think that was the biggest thing for me. And just the opportunity, the fans, of course, the city. When you win here, there’s no better place to win. Those reasons are ultimately why I ended up here.”

I thought Tomlin was generally considered a coach that players loved to play for so it is a bit surprising Justin seemed to prefer Aaron Glenn over Tomlin. Of course, Fields did get benched last year by Tomlin, so there's that.

The way I see this. First, Fields has to hold a grudge for being benched last season despite winning play. Also, IMO, Fields isn't stupid going to a team with the lowest QB expectations in the NFL.

[dice]

I saw Caleb/Bowers as a Pat/Travis type duo eventually. Looks like I woulda been spot on.

except for, ya know, the mahomes part

3500 passing yards
500 rushing

The worst OC in football, one who didn’t even watch film with his rookie

The worst head coach in football, situationally and every other way

Hell, those fools didn’t even utilize Kmet.

Caleb and Brock, in Chicago, with atleast a competent coaching staff would of fed families

are you telling me that kmet, who played 88% of snaps, wasn't often open for caleb to check to? or that the coaches told caleb NOT to check to him? were they not running enough plays specifically for kmet as a 1st option? why is none of this on caleb?

[Michael Jackson]

Fields on why he signed with the Jets over the Steelers:

“I think, No. 1, coach (Aaron) Glenn,” Fields told newyorkjets.com reporter Ethan Greenberg. “I’ve played against him early in my career. I know how passionate he is about the game, the way he coaches, the way his players play. So I think that was the biggest thing for me. And just the opportunity, the fans, of course, the city. When you win here, there’s no better place to win. Those reasons are ultimately why I ended up here.”

I thought Tomlin was generally considered a coach that players loved to play for so it is a bit surprising Justin seemed to prefer Aaron Glenn over Tomlin. Of course, Fields did get benched last year by Tomlin, so there's that.

The way I see this. First, Fields has to hold a grudge for being benched last season despite winning play. Also, IMO, Fields isn't stupid going to a team with the lowest QB expectations in the NFL.

Plus you are going to say good things about your new situation not thinking he is throwing Tomlinson under the bus.

[cocktailswith_2short]

No qb wants to play for the Steelers . Their offense is antiquated and tomlin low key seems like a douche bag coach .

[dice]

poles going all in on 2025. cap hits:

2025

10.5 jackson
8.0 dayo

2026

25.0 jackson
20.5 dayo

what a clown. why are these guys even on the team? a rotational EDGE replacing the same. and a guy coming off injury who can't pass protect - give that man an extension!

poor man's 2018 pop up season incoming?

[JohnnyKILLroy]

We gotta hit on every draft pick for the next 5 drafts