Bears LB Roquan Smith Not Pushing For Extension
While one of his teammates may be pushing for a new contract, Roquan Smith isn’t thinking about his next big deal. Speaking to reporters earlier this week, the Bears linebacker said he isn’t thinking about his inevitable extension.
[RELATED: NT Eddie Goldman No-Shows Bears Mandatory Minicamp]
“That’s going to come when it comes,” Smith said (via Sean Hammon of the Daily Herald). “I’m not too focused on that. My main focus right now is OTAs, getting out here with my teammates.”
The linebacker also noted that staying in Chicago is “definitely something” he wants. Smith was one of the few veteran defenders to show up to Bears OTAs (alongside defensive backs Tashaun Gipson and Desmond Trufant), and he certainly wasn’t going to skip mandatory minicamp in pursuit of his next deal.
“If you’re not getting better, you’re getting worse, in my opinion,” Smith said. “So I feel like there’s a lot of things I’ve learned out there, bonding with some of new guys that are here, with some of the rookies as well, and also just learning little new things into the defense.”
The Bears picked up the 2018 first-round pick’s fifth-year option earlier this offseason, meaning Smith will earn around $9.735MM in 2022. While the 24-year-old still has two years remaining on his rookie deal, he could certainly make an argument for a raise. The former No. 8 pick has started 42 of his 44 games for the Bears, and he enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2020, compiling 139 tackles, 18 tackles for a loss, four sacks, seven passes defensed, and 2 interceptions.
Minor NFL Transactions: 6/18/21
Today’s minor moves:
Chicago Bears
- Signed: TE Jake Butt
- Released: DL Thomas Schaffer, OT Gunnar Vogel
Bears Sign DT Mike Pennel
Mike Pennel has found his next gig. The veteran defensive tackle is signing a one-year deal with the Bears, according to his agent, Andy Simms (via Twitter).
[RELATED: NT Goldman No-Shows Bears Mandatory Minicamp]
The 2014 undrafted free agent has managed to put together a solid seven-year career, starting games for the Packers, Jets, and Chiefs. He spent the past two seasons in Kansas City, including a 2019 campaign where he started a pair of playoff games en route to a Super Bowl championship. After serving a two-game ban to start the 2020 season, Pennel saw time in 14 games (one starts) with the Chiefs last year, collecting 29 tackles and one QB hit. He also saw time in each of Kansas City’s three playoff contests, collecting a single tackle.
In total, Pennel has seen time in 91 career games (16 starts), collecting 155 tackles, two sacks, and 13 QB hits. The veteran has also appeared in 10 playoff games, collecting 11 tackles.
We heard earlier this week that the 30-year-old was trying out for the Bears. The team could be looking for some extra reinforcement along the defensive line after nose tackle Eddie Goldman decided to no-show mandatory minicamp.
Minor NFL Transactions: 6/17/21
We’ll keep track of today’s minor moves here:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: DL George Obinna, DL John Atkins
- Released: LB Alani Putuau, WR Greg Dortch, LB Jeff Holland, DL Eli Ankou
Chicago Bears
- Signed: OL T.J. Wheatley Jr.
Denver Broncos
- Signed: WR Amara Darboh, WR De’Mornay Pierson-El
- Waived: P Max Duffy
- Waived/injured: OLB Natrez Patrick
Matt Nagy: Andy Dalton Is Our Starter
A couple of weeks ago there was a report that the Bears were planning to enter Week 1 with Andy Dalton as their starter, which a lot of people dismissed.
Now, Bears head coach Matt Nagy has more or less confirmed that report publicly in a recent appearance on Cris Collinsworth’s podcast (Twitter video link). When asked by Collinsworth if there was any possible scenario where rookie Justin Fields is under center come Week 1, Nagy said “No.” Fields, of course, was just drafted 11th overall by Chicago.
“I mean Andy is our starter. And again, I can’t predict anything, you know how it goes. I mean there’s so many things that could happen between today and that Week 1. But Andy is our starter and Justin is our number two, and we’re going to stick to this plan,” he continued.
It sounds like the team wants to do right by Dalton, as he was publicly anointed as the starter after signing a one-year, $10MM deal back in March.
It’s worth keeping in mind that only four quarterbacks chosen in Round 1 since 2011 — when that year’s CBA changed first-rounders’ earnings and timelines — did not become a primary starter in Year 1. They were Patrick Mahomes, Jake Locker (2011), Johnny Manziel (2014) and Paxton Lynch (2016).
Both Nagy and GM Ryan Pace are on very thin ice. If the Bears struggle this season, they’ll almost certainly both be fired. As such, it’s hard to believe they’ll have too much patience. Unless Dalton comes in and immediately catches fire and leads the team to victories, it’s hard to see them waiting more than a few weeks to pull the trigger.
If Dalton is anything other than excellent, the pressure from fans and the media will be intense to unleash Fields, the former Ohio State star. We should learn a lot more about the situation in training camp and the preseason.
Bears To Sign Second-Round OT Teven Jenkins
The Bears got Justin Fields‘ deal wrapped up last week, and now they’re inking their second pick. Chicago has agreed to terms with second-round offensive tackle Teven Jenkins and he’ll sign his rookie contract later today, a source told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network (Twitter link).
As Rapsheet points out, that will wrap up the team’s draft class with all seven rookies being signed. The Bears drafted Jenkins 39th overall out of Oklahoma State. Chicago gave up a third-round pick to trade up with the Panthers from No. 52 and nab Jenkins.
Just a couple of days after drafting Jenkins the team released long-time tackle Charles Leno. They reportedly plan on plugging in Jenkins as a starter right away at left tackle. He’ll be tasked with protecting the blindside of Fields and/or Andy Dalton as a rookie.
Jenkins was a three-year starter at Oklahoma State and broke out this past season, earning first-team All-Big 12 honors. Germain Ifedi will start opposite him at right tackle.
NT Eddie Goldman No-Shows Bears Mandatory Minicamp
Nose tackle Eddie Goldman was a no-show at Bears mandatory minicamp today. Matt Nagy told reporters that he’s talked with the veteran defensive lineman, but the head coach also noted that the absence was unexcused (per Adam Jahns of The Athletic on Twitter). Nagy said he expects Goldman to be present during July’s training camp.
[RELATED: Allen Robinson To Show For Bears’ Minicamp]
Goldman signed a four-year, $42MM extension ($25MM guaranteed) with the Bears back in 2018. That deal was set to expire following the 2022 campaign, but the deal was extended to 2023 after the veteran sat out the 2020 campaign. As part of that move, Goldman agreed to a $350K stipend during the 2020 season, and his original 2020 salary of $4.75MM was pushed to 2021. It’s unknown if Goldman’s current absence is contract related, but this wrinkle could be a potential explanation.
The 2015 second-round pick has spent his entire career with the Bears, appearing in 67 games. Prior to sitting out the 2020 season, the veteran had only missed a pair of games between the 2017 and 2019 seasons, collecting 4.5 sacks, eight tackles for loss, and eight QB hits over that span.
Jimmy Graham Considered Retirement; Bears Wanted TE To Return
Following the Bears’ one-sided playoff loss to the Saints, Jimmy Graham debated stepping away from football after 11 NFL seasons. Bears decision-makers intervened to convince him to stay.
The veteran tight end briefly considered retirement, but Matt Nagy and GM Ryan Pace persuaded him to return, Adam Jahns of The Athletic tweets. Although Graham did not sound like he needed too much convincing to come back, the Bears still have the 34-year-old target in their plans.
Given a two-year deal worth $16MM (to the surprise of many) in March 2020, Graham helped a Bears team that had swung and missed on a few tight ends during the Pace regime. He caught 50 passes for 476 yards and eight touchdowns — his most TDs since 2017. The 6-foot-7 tight end added a score in the Bears’ playoff loss. While Graham is past his prime, he could well help Andy Dalton and Justin Fields as an auxiliary weapon.
The five-time Pro Bowler is due a $6.9MM base salary, and his cap number spikes to $10MM in 2021. Only Zach Ertz, whom the Eagles are expected to jettison, has a higher 2021 cap number ($12.7MM) among tight ends. The Bears also used a second-round pick on Cole Kmet last year. Nevertheless, Graham appears set to stay on as one of Allen Robinson‘s aerial sidekicks this coming season.
The former Saints, Seahawks and Packers tight end has totaled 82 career touchdown catches — fourth in NFL history among tight ends. Only Antonio Gates (116), Tony Gonzalez (111) and Rob Gronkowski (86) have more.
Jake Butt, E.J. Gaines, Mike Pennel At Bears’ Minicamp On Tryout Basis
The Bears have invited some well-known guests to their minicamp. They are working out five players — including tight end Jake Butt, cornerback E.J. Gaines and defensive tackle Mike Pennel — at their three-day mandatory session, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune tweets.
This marks Butt’s second known workout of the offseason. The Michigan alum auditioned for the Cardinals recently. Although Butt starred for the Wolverines not that long ago, he has battled rampant injury trouble as a pro. The former Broncos draftee now has three career ACL tears, two coming in Denver, and has played in just eight games in four seasons.
Mixed signals have come out of Chicago regarding the team’s interest in adding a veteran cornerback. The Bears were believed to be interested in Bashaud Breeland, but he signed with the Vikings, and had Steven Nelson on the radar. But new DC Sean Desai also expressed confidence in his in-house cover men. Gaines has 38 career starts but has not played in a game since the 2018 season. The former Rams draftee opted out in 2020.
Pennel leads this group in experience. The veteran interior D-lineman spent the past two years with the Chiefs, making an impact for the two-time reigning AFC champions’ run defense. Pennel, 30, played 14 games with Kansas City last season. The former Packers and Jets defender has played seven NFL seasons.
The Bears are also working out two players who recently participated in The Spring League — tight end Sal Cannella and Tyrone Wheatley Jr. The team lists Wheatley as an offensive lineman, though the second-generation NFL hopeful played tight end at Michigan — as one of Butt’s backups — and Stony Brook. Chicago’s minicamp is scheduled to run through Thursday.
Bears Work Out LB Brandon Marshall
The NFL lost its Brandon Marshall base in 2019, following the wide receiver’s 13th season and the linebacker being unable to stick with a team after his seventh. But the latter continues to make inroads to a comeback.
After working out for the 49ers recently, Marshall auditioned for the Bears on Monday, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. The 31-year-old linebacker has spent the offseason training in hopes of resuming his career, and he may be on the verge of receiving an opportunity.
A Super Bowl starter alongside current Bears linebacker Danny Trevathan with the 2015 Broncos, Marshall signed a subsequent extension to stay in Denver. He lasted three more seasons with the team, but injuries restricted him over the life of that contract. The Broncos cut bait in 2019. Although Marshall signed with the Raiders later that year, injuries again impeded him. The Raiders cut him ahead of the ’19 season.
Marshall has 63 starts on his resume, working his way from fifth-round pick to key cog on one of this era’s premier defenses. In an effort to ignite his comeback bid, Marshall attended a late-May showcase for NFL scouts in San Diego. That effort appears to have worked, but Marshall’s return to the league will hinge on his health. He missed five games in both the 2016 and ’18 seasons.
The former Jaguars draftee, however, has three 100-tackle seasons on his resume. And the Bears have seen both their starting inside ‘backers — Trevathan and Roquan Smith — battle injuries during their time as a duo. Chicago still has Christian Jones in place as a backup but has not addressed the position in the draft since 2018.