As the Bears entered free agency with the NFL’s most cap space, they ventured into a few offensive line markets. Most notably, Chicago helped set Mike McGlinchey‘s price point, bowing of a sweepstakes that ended with Denver giving the ex-San Francisco blocker a top-five right tackle contract.
Although the Bears came away with four-year Titans starting guard Nate Davis, they also made a pursuit of another veteran guard. Chicago was in on the Isaac Seumalo market, ProFootballNetwork.com’s Adam Caplan notes.
Seumalo waited a few days to make his commitment. The Steelers signed the longtime Eagles guard to a three-year, $24MM pact — an accord in line with last year’s James Daniels agreement. It does not seem the Bears were willing to give Seumalo much of a guarantee, with the Steelers giving the veteran starter just $6.95MM locked in at signing. Even though assistant GM Ian Cunningham was in Philadelphia when the team extended Seumalo in 2019, the Bears looked to clearly prefer Davis.
Intent on improving Russell Wilson‘s O-line, the Broncos gave Ben Powers $27MM guaranteed. But Davis collected the second-highest guard guarantee during free agency, scoring $17.5MM (on a three-year, $30MM deal) from the Bears on Day 1 of the legal tampering period. Heading into his age-27 season, Davis is three years younger than Seumalo. The Bears are set to pair Davis with converted tackle Teven Jenkins, who is shifting from right to left guard to accommodate the incoming talent. Chicago, which circled back to its right tackle need by taking Darnell Wright at No. 10 overall, has moved Cody Whitehair back to center as well.
Seumalo’s low guarantee likely stems from his struggles staying on the field in the 2020s. While he returned as a full-time player in 2022, the former third-round pick missed 21 games over the 2020 and ’21 seasons. Knee and Lisfranc issues, respectively, sidelined Seumalo during those seasons. But he re-established his market, to some degree, this year. Pro Football Focus was slightly more bullish on Seumalo than Davis, slotting the former 10th overall among guards last season. Davis, however, drew a No. 17 placement.
The Steelers have plugged Seumalo in at left guard, while the Eagles are moving toward using 2022 second-rounder Cam Jurgens as his replacement.
I don’t know what it would cost but the Bears should still sign Dalton Risner. There’s always something wrong with Jenkins. I don’t think you can count on him to stand up.
I was out at Bears practice last week and there was a lot of hooting and hollering by the OL coaches on how they were dominating scrimmage….2nd string guys Leatherwood and Mbaeteka were throwing guys around.
I hope so. I’ve always thought Jatyre Carter deserved more play. I think this camp is Leatherwood’s last chance and Mbaeteka is a total long shot but hey they come in sometimes. Davis’ injury must have been much worse than we were lead to believe. If Poles hadn’t dropped the ball and taken Schmitz instead of Stevenson, He’d be playing C and Whitehair would be back at LG. Patrick and Jenkins are glass and if Davis has problems then it could be bad. I guess we’ll find out Saturday! Can’t wait. Cubs and Bears are interesting and the Hawks should be improved but by how much? Fall might be fun in Chicago this year.