Bears 2023 thread V

[Jeffster81]

Read on Twitter

I've always felt Captain Khaki Pants rather be in the NFL than college. I think this is the off-season that MeetChicken loses their HC.

[Dresden]

This past off season I liked the idea of getting Gesecki in free agency. I thought more 2 tight end stuff could’ve been hugely beneficial to Fields. We ended up getting Tonyan who I feel is underused but that may not be his fault. Fields can’t get past his 1-2 read so who knows how much better it could look. Fields can’t spread the ball around. If we draft a new QB and Bowers you better get a good OC and a QB to get him the ball.

I think it's hard to evaluate any of our receivers other than DJ and maybe Kmet because they just don't get many opportunities. I think with someone like Caleb Williams, you might see Mooney or Tonyan or Scott really blossom.

[Dresden]

Robbie Gould announced his retirement. Damn good kicker and Bear.

He had a long career and a very good one. One of the best of his generation.

[Dresden]

Caleb v. Maye:

Watch on YouTube

I'll be happy with either of these guys. I think both of them are in another tier from all the other QB's in the draft, and will be such a huge upgrade.

[JohnnyKILLroy]

This past off season I liked the idea of getting Gesecki in free agency. I thought more 2 tight end stuff could’ve been hugely beneficial to Fields. We ended up getting Tonyan who I feel is underused but that may not be his fault. Fields can’t get past his 1-2 read so who knows how much better it could look. Fields can’t spread the ball around. If we draft a new QB and Bowers you better get a good OC and a QB to get him the ball.

I think it's hard to evaluate any of our receivers other than DJ and maybe Kmet because they just don't get many opportunities. I think with someone like Caleb Williams, you might see Mooney or Tonyan or Scott really blossom.

It’s one my biggest gripes with Fields. He’s handcuffed because he’s bad at in the pocket stuff AND he can’t spread it around. Everyone needs to eat and everyone should if you want a truly dangerous offense.

[biggestbullsfan]

Caleb v. Maye:

Watch on YouTube

I'll be happy with either of these guys. I think both of them are in another tier from all the other QB's in the draft, and will be such a huge upgrade.

Neither of these guys are better prospects than Justin was coming out of college. Just because it’s new doesn’t mean it’s better or a huge upgrade. Just has his faults for sure but don’t make it seem like it’s all on him. We could easily fail these guys as well given our current structure.

[biggestbullsfan]

Watch on YouTube

[HearshotKDS]

My ideal Off-season plan if we move on from JF1

Coaching
Head Coach: Jim Harbough or Ben Johnson

Defensive Staff: For the Defensive coordinator, Leslie Fraizer is a no-brainer. The Roster is setup to fit his scheme and he can reunite with Edmounds. I would also love it if we could steal Al Harris from the Cowboys.

Special Teams: Bring back Chris Toub. The ST is one of the worst.

Cuts:
Cody Whitehair: Saves 9.14m in cap. No explanation is needed.
Trenton Gill: Saves 950k. He's terrible.
Eddie Jackson: Saves 12.5 in cap. I love him and he has been above average but he's old and too injury-prone at this point of his career.

Resignings with 2024/25 cap hit:
Darnell Mooney, WR: 5m
Cairo Santos, K: 2.5m
Jaylon Johnson, CB: 17m
Dan Feeney, G: 1m
Rasheem Green, DE: 1m
Marcedes Lewis, TE: 1m
Trent Taylor, WR: 1m
Pat Scales, LS: 1m

Pre-Free Agency Trades:

1. Justin Fields to the Falcons for AJ Terrell

2. Trade DeMarcus Walker and Nate Davis for a 6th-rounder each. Walker just hasn't been good and he shouldn't a starter next season. what he'd be owed is too much for a role play. Davis hasn't been available and we can upgrade. Trading Walker and Davis saves 7.5 and 7.3 in cap respectively.

Free Agency: Enterting with 61.4 in cap
Chase Young, DE: 13m
Justin Madubuike, DT: 15m
Kevin Zeitler, G: 7.5m
Tyler Biadasz, C: 8m
Geno Stone, S: 8m
Cap After FA: 9.9m

Draft:
Trade 2nd rounder down to get an extra 4th

RD 1: Caleb Williams, QB
RD 1: Brock Bowers, TE
RD 2: Brian Thomas JR, WR
RD 4: Jack Nelson, OT/OG
RD 4: Zak Zinter, OG
RD 5: Connor Colby, IOL
RD 6: Safety
Rd 6: Defensive End

Roster:

Jones/Zeitler/Biadasz/Jenkins/Wright
Herbert/Johnson
Moore/Bower/Kmet/Thomas Jr/Mooney
Williams/Bagent

Sweat/Dexter/Madubuike/Young
Sanburn/Edmunds/Edwards
Johnson/Terrell/Gordon/Stevenson/Smith
Brisker/Stone

I think this would easily be the best defense in the NFL and it wouldn't be close. Three guys who can get 10 sack each (easily) and then you pair that with one two lock down corners and a play making safety duo.

Your mock has a 2nd round pick being traded down for an extra 4th when the Bears dont have a 2nd round pick this year. I also think there are a few other glaring issues but those are less objective than "trading and using a pick that doesnt exist", although you do have some vets being signed for less than their vet minimum - granted in the NFL teams can always create cap space and alter year by year cap hits at will with the magic of accounting. Cant make a 2nd appear out of thin air though - that left in the Sweat trade.

[biggestbullsfan]

Random thought, the Texans should be thanking the Bears and Lovie Smith for their season. They would have definitely taken Bryce Young 1st overall and CJ would’ve went elsewhere. They should be grateful lol

[JohnnyKILLroy]

Caleb v. Maye:

Watch on YouTube

I'll be happy with either of these guys. I think both of them are in another tier from all the other QB's in the draft, and will be such a huge upgrade.

Neither of these guys are better prospects than Justin was coming out of college. Just because it’s new doesn’t mean it’s better or a huge upgrade. Just has his faults for sure but don’t make it seem like it’s all on him. We could easily fail these guys as well given our current structure.

At this point who cares what kind of prospect Fields was coming out of college? Mahomes wasn’t the greatest QB of his generation. Coming out of college.

We know what he is now and what he’s shown. Regardless of coaches and regime he struggles with the same stuff. The potential a
Talent upgrade and money saved and or better spent without him make it a no brainer to me. I don’t think he’ll ever be the guy.

[fleet]

Read on Twitter

So Harbaugh is gonna cost 14-15 million probably

[fleet]

Random thought, the Texans should be thanking the Bears and Lovie Smith for their season. They would have definitely taken Bryce Young 1st overall and CJ would’ve went elsewhere. They should be grateful lol

Not definitely at all. The Panthers would have taken Stroud had it not been for the owner. And I suspect a good number of teams as well likely wouldn’t like his size. The Colts/Ballard chief among them. Judging by his big athlete drafts, Poles may not have taken Young either. A certain number of teams may have crossed young off their board for all we know.

[Dresden]

Watch on YouTube

What I got from this was a) Caleb's height might be a problem, and b) he will need to learn to play more "within structure". The first is definitely an issue with him, but do his other positives outweigh that? Most people will say yes, and that's why he's going to go in the top 3.

On the second point, Orlovsky seems to be saying a lot will be determined by the coaching staff that's put around him- whether or not they can help him upgrade that part of his game. So that's really on Poles to pick the right staff to develop whoever they chose at QB.

But Caleb has so many attributes that you can't coach, and that are rare, such as his ability to turn a busted play into a big gain, or to be able to find guys downfield while scrambling and deliver the ball right on the numbers to them, that I think he's well worth taking, knowing you may need to do some work with him on playing "within structure".

[Almost Retired]

Read on Twitter

So Harbaugh is gonna cost 14-15 million probably

Well Kyle Shanahan makes $10 Million per, John Harbaugh and Andy Reid make $12 Million, Pete Carroll pulls in a whopping $15 million, Sean Payton is at $18 million, and Bill Belichick tops the list at $20 Million a year. Jim Harbaugh is going to want at least what John Harbaugh is getting, so his floor price is probably $12 million per. Eberflus is one of the lowest paid head coaches at $5 million per year.

[molepharmer]

Read on Twitter

So Harbaugh is gonna cost 14-15 million probably

Well Kyle Shanahan makes $10 Million per, John Harbaugh and Andy Reid make $12 Million, Pete Carroll pulls in a whopping $15 million, Sean Payton is at $18 million, and Bill Belichick tops the list at $20 Million a year. Jim Harbaugh is going to want at least what John Harbaugh is getting, so his floor price is probably $12 million per. Eberflus is one of the lowest paid head coaches at $5 million per year.

Not saying Harbaugh wouldn't get $12+ mil if he went to the NFL, but that's a pretty ballsy asking price considering his NFL resume compared those others. Those other coacehs have been in the NFL for 15+ years and are current coaches. Harbaugh hasn't been in the NFL for nearly 10 years and only coached 5 years when he was in the NFL.

[ThisGuyFawkes]

What's the most we've ever paid for a HC? I'm guessing our coaching budget is almost always bottom 10 in the league.

[Almost Retired]

So Harbaugh is gonna cost 14-15 million probably

Well Kyle Shanahan makes $10 Million per, John Harbaugh and Andy Reid make $12 Million, Pete Carroll pulls in a whopping $15 million, Sean Payton is at $18 million, and Bill Belichick tops the list at $20 Million a year. Jim Harbaugh is going to want at least what John Harbaugh is getting, so his floor price is probably $12 million per. Eberflus is one of the lowest paid head coaches at $5 million per year.

Not saying Harbaugh wouldn't get $12+ mil if he went to the NFL, but that's a pretty ballsy asking price considering his NFL resume compared those others. Those other coacehs have been in the NFL for 15+ years and are current coaches. Harbaugh hasn't been in the NFL for nearly 10 years and only coached 5 years when he was in the NFL.[/quote

Belichick is being paid for past performance. A going away gift from Mr. Kraft. With the Patriots at 2-10 and going nowhere it's time for Hoodie to retire.

[Almost Retired]

What's the most we've ever paid for a HC? I'm guessing our coaching budget is almost always bottom 10 in the league.

You have to take into account that for every active coach we have on the payroll we are also paying off the failed coaches that were fired.

[fleet]

Caleb v. Maye:

Watch on YouTube

I'll be happy with either of these guys. I think both of them are in another tier from all the other QB's in the draft, and will be such a huge upgrade.

Neither of these guys are better prospects than Justin was coming out of college. Just because it’s new doesn’t mean it’s better or a huge upgrade. Just has his faults for sure but don’t make it seem like it’s all on him. We could easily fail these guys as well given our current structure.

Coming out of college, Trevor Lawrence was a better prospect than Justin Fields. Lawrence went #1. Justin went #11, sinking like a stone until Ryan Pace traded up. Who knows how much further Fields would have fallen if not for Pace. Scouts were obviously onto Justin's processing and mechanics issues. Similarly, if Caleb Williams and Drake Maye go in the top 3, they will also be better prospects by definition. Which of course means they have to prove their worth just like everyone else. Check Zach Wilson. But their pre draft prospect status will reflect their respective draft positions

[Dresden]

It's possible that all the talk about Caleb and Maye being so good is just hype. But it's also possible the Bears are just very, very fortunate to have, in all likelihood, a top 2 pick in a draft featuring two outstanding talents at the most important position.

I was looking at the Bears history, and the last time they had a top 2 pick was way back in 1951 when they took a QB from ND named Bob Williams, who only played 3 years.

By the way, does anyone know the story of how the Bears ended up with picks 3,4, and 6 in the 1965 draft? Which yielded Sayers, Butkus and a DE named Steve DeLong (who went to the AFL but was later traded to the Bears).