Bears 12.0

[TheJordanRule]

Hey, maybe we should have traded down for McCarthy and gotten a haul!

McCarthy gets boatloads of faith that I don’t quite understand. Especially coming off a serious injury. If his coach is the reason, well that’s pretty impressive of the coach. Caleb gets close to zero faith, relative to being responsive to his new coach as an article of faith. I think the sack problem and the ball holding is regarded by observers as unfixable flaws to a certain extent, and will be interesting if Ben Johnson is able to approach the thing as well as we hope. But something doesn’t add up. Caleb and McCarthy should be closer, unless I don’t know enough about McCarthy.

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The Bears wouldn't trade Caleb straight up for Hurts.

But Hurts has elite talent along the OL because Philly has over the years drafted and developed the talent (plus uncovered Mailata)

LT - Mailata (28, drafted in 7th, given 2 years to develop before touching the field, Pro Bowler)
LG - Landon Dickerson (26, 37th overall pick - day 1 starter & 3x Pro Bowler)
C - Cam Jurgens (26, 51st overall pick that played G before transitioning to C last year, Pro Bowler)
RG - Tyler Steen (25, 65th overall pick that was given 2 years to develop before playing)
RT - Lane Johnson (35, 4th overall pick, 7 time Pro Bowler)

If I were an Eagles fan, I'd have trepidation over Johnson's age but considering how much success this group has had over the years, they'd be able to weather that storm.

The Haul was 100% about trying to mimic the Eagles and have enough draft capital to build a team/OL capable of winning a Super Bowl.

I don't believe that you're that far apart from Fleet, brother. I think we all agree that prioritizing the trenches moving forward is mission #1. Poles has filled out these other positions quite admirably. We need to give them the OL and DL lines they need to thrive. We have a strong secondary. We need a stronger DL. We have a strong receiving core. We may need a stronger OL. Etc.

[Susan]

Not gonna debate how Goff was seen in 2022, he fell off in the last two years with the Rams and the common thought wasn't that he was a franchise QB.

Agree Goff was viewed that way in 2022, but he was on a superstar trajectory, fell off, then regained a previously shown trajectory. That is very different than Fields, whose best season is worse than Goff's worst season, and in Goff's worst season, he was viewed as a bridge guy.

Agree with the rest of your points, but I'd be mildly surprised if Fields is ever more than a fringe / bridge starter at this point in his career.

Wanted to come back to this discussion because I watched some stuff over the last few days that helped provide clarity to the vibe posting regarding Fields.

Over the past 20-25 years the meta has been "don't pay running backs and don't draft them early, they're easily replaceable and have a short shelf life".

Last year the Ravens & Eagles signed Saquon Barkley & Derrick Henry for 3/$38m & 2/$16m respectively. Barkley took 3rd in MVP voting and Derrick Henry rushed for over 1900 yards & 16 TDs to get his 5th pro bowl season and 4th all pro season. Both players had excellent seasons on what I'd say were extreme value contracts.

When you consider the QB & WR markets, these contracts look even better. Kirk Cousins signed a 4/$180m contract and was benched for the final 3 games of the year despite the team still being in playoff contention. Gabe Davis signed with the Jaguars for 3/$39m - he caught 20 passes and was cut this off-season.

This off-season the top two QB contracts went to Sam Darnold and Justin Fields. Darnold got 3/$100m and Fields got 2/$40m. Sam Darnold isn't a player who's going to elevate a unit, he's nice and in the right situation you can win with him but Fields without question elevates the rushing attack. Now going back to the RB market, impact on the running game is something that's wildly undervalued and efficiently running the ball at a high volume is something that the best teams in the NFL do.

Going back to the career arcs between Goff and Fields - in 2022 Fields received MVP votes, nearly broke the QB season rushing record and broke the single game rushing record. Without question he's proven to be a high impact player in that element of the game and it's slowly but surely going to be an element that's valued more as teams continue to strike out when investing heavily in the passing attack.

[fleet]

The Bengals make no sense. Probably the only team that would have stepped into this mess, and handled the mess thusly. And also, another reminder that mock draft publications are garbage. Few if any of them knew that Stewart was in this kettle of fish. The NFL knew something about this guy. The Bengals became the team that decided to Bengal it.

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[TheJordanRule]

The Bengals make no sense. Probably the only team that would have stepped into this mess, and handled the mess thusly. And also, another reminder that mock draft publications are garbage. Few if any of them knew that Stewart was in this kettle of fish. The NFL knew something about this guy. The Bengals became the team that decided to Bengal it.

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Poles has his flaws, but he doesn't do this. He might be underappreciated.

[fleet]

I know some people would think the best thing about this news is that shovels go in the ground. But I think the best feature is George McCaskey potentially getting off the stage.

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[biggestbullsfan]

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[dougthonus]

Going back to the career arcs between Goff and Fields - in 2022 Fields received MVP votes, nearly broke the QB season rushing record and broke the single game rushing record. Without question he's proven to be a high impact player in that element of the game and it's slowly but surely going to be an element that's valued more as teams continue to strike out when investing heavily in the passing attack.

Agree with your point on RB contracts seem like a really undervalued area, I've thought that way for awhile.

I'll agree to disagree on Fields, I don't really care that much. I view him as a fringe starter, the NFL market viewed him as a fringe starter, maybe he'll be something more than that one day, maybe he won't. I don't think the odds are high that anyone will look at him as the one who got away.

In terms of drafting rushing QBs, I think it's near mandatory now that you draft a QB that can run. I'm not looking it up, but feels to me like at least half and maybe 3/4s of the QBs are now dual threat.

[Jimako10]

The RB position is basically 3 tiers.

The elite tier: handful of RBs that are significantly better than the field...the Saquons, the Henrys, the CMCs, etc. IMO these guys are worth the money/draft capital to a contending team, but not so much to a rebuilding team.

Average tier: everyone who isn't elite or a specialized RB (goal line/pass catcher). These are guys are a dime a dozen and generally not worth their FA contract.

Specialized RBs: The ones that can only do 1 thing very well. Usually short yardage or pass catcher. Also easy to find and generally better value than signing an average tier (the Patriots/Tom Brady era special).

Having said that, defenses have shifted to employing more zone/shell coverages in the last few years which I think has created underrated value for RBs. Preventing the big play allows a lot of stuff in the middle, and if you have an RB that can get to that 2nd level (O-line and scheme are important here), it definitely provides a great foundation for an offense against how defenses play nowadays.

[fleet]

Well, it’s going be interesting if based on a dominant RB on a Super bowl winner, teams will bring a safety back down again. I’m a little skeptical how far that will go, reaction may be mixed. However Ben Johnson is attempting to building a flexible and multi faceted offense that can react either way to how defenses are playing the Bears.

[jnrjr79]

I know some people would think the best thing about this news is that shovels go in the ground. But I think the best feature is George McCaskey potentially getting off the stage.

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I dunno. The minority stake that may be sold already belonged to a minority owner, so does this really change anything re: the McCaskeys?

[fleet]

I know some people would think the best thing about this news is that shovels go in the ground. But I think the best feature is George McCaskey potentially getting off the stage.

Read on Twitter

I dunno. The minority stake that may be sold already belonged to a minority owner, so does this really change anything re: the McCaskeys?

If you’re buying in, you’re not buying in without any voice. And if jnrjr79 was buying in, would you be happy with George at the helm, or would you be interested in making changes? I hope the latter. Granted, it might only be financial interest one could have in the Bears, and backseat driving is not quite necessary because NFL teams grow in value no matter what. But it potentially might be otherwise as well. Most people with money don’t want a poopy-head making decisions around their investments.

If you are the Bears however, they might have a pretty decent amount of choices to sell to, and would not choose anyone interested in changing anything around. So yeah. Just saying, the potential is there, I am hopeful.

[fleet]

Bears trade: 2026 #2, 2026 #3, Dominique Robinson.

Bears receive: Shemar Stewart

[TheJordanRule]

Bears trade: 2026 #2, 2026 #3, Dominique Robinson.

Bears receive: Shemar Stewart

LOL I love it Fleet, but for whatever reason, the FO is stuck on Dominque Robinson. This deal has a snowball's chance in hell just because of that. Nevermind that we'd be dealing for a high risk, high reward malcontent. Nevermind that we'd be paying top dollar in terms of assets- a 2nd AND a 3rd AND Robinson for a dude who cost a 2024 2nd rounder? We could have a Shemar Bros. duo for the DL. That would be funny. I'm genuinely curious: What makes you such a strong believer in Shemar Stewart?

[Bulls Fan 23]

Bears trade: 2026 #2, 2026 #3, Dominique Robinson.

Bears receive: Shemar Stewart

I would do a 2nd and Dominique Robinson

[molepharmer]

Bagent interview from a couple days ago. First 30+ min are mostly about where he came from and how he got to where he is. At about the 39min mark they start talking about the current Bears players and some coaches. Entertaining stuff, mentions Dom Rob, Sewell, Jarrett, Dalman etc. And they ask him specifically about Odunze and Trapilo.

Watch on YouTube

[fleet]

Bears trade: 2026 #2, 2026 #3, Dominique Robinson.

Bears receive: Shemar Stewart

I would do a 2nd and Dominique Robinson

I’m guessing the Bengals would need more to show their fans for a lost #1 pick and all the drama they (fans) are being put through. They’ll ask for a future 1, and someone like Dom Rob (Booker?). Perhaps another day 3 pick. It’s actually pretty fair deal I believe. The 2 and a 3/Dom Rob is Bears-weighted.

[fleet]

Bears trade: 2026 #2, 2026 #3, Dominique Robinson.

Bears receive: Shemar Stewart

LOL I love it Fleet, but for whatever reason, the FO is stuck on Dominque Robinson. This deal has a snowball's chance in hell just because of that. Nevermind that we'd be dealing for a high risk, high reward malcontent. Nevermind that we'd be paying top dollar in terms of assets- a 2nd AND a 3rd AND Robinson for a dude who cost a 2024 2nd rounder? We could have a Shemar Bros. duo for the DL. That would be funny. I'm genuinely curious: What makes you such a strong believer in Shemar Stewart?

He was a #1 pick, not a second round pick. Which is why all the fuss about his contract. It should be based on previous Bengals picks I would think. So he has a legit beef from his POV. Most people would say he shouldn’t sign that offer. I don’t know if you could ever find a more perfect fit for Dennis Allen, which is why I like the idea of him in this defense. If he pans out, it gives the Bears leeway to move off of Montez Sweat’s contract in a year. If that’s doable. What nags me though is why the Bengals feel so strongly about this sudden new approach to the (Stewart) contract.

I would not say I am a believer at all. But the physical package is striking. You don’t get a chance at that very often. Trayvon Walker scenario is possible and more. If the Bears scouts and DA like him enough (they brought him in for a 30 visit), then **** it. Let’s go.

[dice]

Bears trade: 2026 #2, 2026 #3, Dominique Robinson.

Bears receive: Shemar Stewart

I would do a 2nd and Dominique Robinson

I’m guessing the Bengals would need more to show their fans for a lost #1 pick and all the drama they (fans) are being put through. They’ll ask for a future 1, and someone like Dom Rob (Booker?). Perhaps another day 3 pick. It’s actually pretty fair deal I believe

why would anyone even give up a future #1 when the nfl doesn't do protected picks?

The 2 and a 3/Dom Rob is Bears-weighted.

not when you consider salaries

[dice]

PFF unit rankings:

RB 30 https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-2025-running-back-unit-rankings
WR 9 https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-2025-receiving-corps-rankings-eagles

individual:

QB 19 nix, 20 bryce, 21 JJ, 22 maye, 23 penix, 24 caleb, 25 ward, 28 fields
TE 23 loveland, 29 kmet
OT 25 jones, 26 wright
G 2 thuney, 31 jackson
C 5 dalman, 19 shelton
DI no bears top 32, carter #5
EDGE 31 sweat, mack #10
LB 10 edwards, roquan #4
CB 4 JJ
S 18 byard

all-breakout team: caleb and rome

[TheJordanRule]

PFF unit rankings:

RB 30 https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-2025-running-back-unit-rankings
WR 9 https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-2025-receiving-corps-rankings-eagles

individual:

QB 19 nix, 20 bryce, 21 JJ, 22 maye, 23 penix, 24 caleb, 25 ward, 28 fields
TE 23 loveland, 29 kmet
OT 25 jones, 26 wright
G 2 thuney, 31 jackson
C 5 dalman, 19 shelton
DI no bears top 32, carter #5
EDGE 31 sweat, mack #10
LB 10 edwards, roquan #4
CB 4 JJ
S 18 byard

all-breakout team: caleb and rome

I buy those rankings. We're in the top 3rd of the league in terms of WRs. We desperately need a better DL. The OL has clearly been upgraded at C and G, although our tackles could still use some improvement in the future. While Caleb is ranked 24 at QB, I would be shocked if that ranking does not rise fairly quickly.