RealGM

http://car.scout.com/2/1166080.html

It was reported this morning that the Indianapolis Colts are fielding telephone calls from teams interested in All Pro defensive end Dwight Freeney. The eight-time Pro Bowl pass rusher is the Colts’ all-time leader in sacks (102.5) but is owed $19 million toward the salary cap in 2012. He reportedly is unwilling to restructure his contract, which has prompted Indianapolis to put him on the trade wire.

According to Len Pasquarelli of the Sports Xchange, the Chicago Bears are very interested in making a deal for Freeney.

“If, as indicated by an ESPN report on Friday, the Colts are listening to offers for defensive end Dwight Freeney, word is that the Chicago Bears, who want to find a pass-rush partner for Julius Peppers, will be one of the teams in their ears,” Pasquarelli wrote today.

The problem is that Freeney is owed $14 million in base salary next season, which would be a heavy hit to Chicago’s salary cap, especially for a player that is past his prime. If the club was to drop that much cash on Freeney, it’s unlikely they could seriously pursue other big-name free agents like Vincent Jackson and Carl Nicks.

Yet by pairing Freeney with Peppers, the Bears would be able to bring a dual edge rush unmatched in the league, one that would cover up a lot of the deficiencies in the secondary.

Hes friggin 32.

If we can get him for a third or fourth round pick and we re-do his contract then I'd be fine with it. This is only if all the DEs in FA go for too much $$$ for the Bears to reasonably spend.

A restructuring of his deal would have to happen, otherwise you would just throw that money at Mario Williams.

WEFFPIM wrote:A restructuring of his deal would have to happen, otherwise you would just throw that money at Mario Williams.

Exactly.

It would make no sense for the Bears to give away draft picks for an expensive 32 yr old, when they can keep their picks & sign a 27 yr old unrestricted free agent for basically the same amount of money.

Mario Williams is basically a carbon copy of Julius Peppers at a younger age. I truly hope that the Bears do whatever it takes to put this dream scenario of DL bookends together. We'll be assured of having both for the next few years & Williams can become top dog when Peppers begins to decline because of age factors.

We would have two BEASTS at DE for the next 3-4 yrs & at least one Beast for the next few years after that.

Yeah no shot I trade for Freeney, maybe a 4th rounder at the earliest. He is still playing quality ball but not elite level like a couple years ago.