Latest On Allen Robinson’s Market
PFR’s No. 1 wide receiver available, Allen Robinson will be set to see a bevy of offers once the tampering window opens on Monday.
While Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reports the Jaguars would love to retain the wideout they didn’t opt to use the franchise tag on, they will have immense competition. The Browns and Bears may be the two most aggressive pursuers, per La Canfora, but the Ravens and Panthers are also in the mix for the fifth-year receiver.
The Ravens missed out on a Jarvis Landry trade and may be set to revamp their receiving corps. The Panthers just traded for Torrey Smith. Neither of these teams can compete with the Bears or Browns in terms of cap space, with the Panthers sitting at less than $25MM and the Ravens at barely $4MM. JLC describes Baltimore and Carolina as expressing interest but maybe not on the level of Cleveland and Chicago’s.
Cleveland did add Landry and has outside receivers in Josh Gordon and Corey Coleman. However, neither of those players were acquired by this regime and, with Gordon’s rampant off-field issues and Coleman’s injury struggles, it’s possible the front office wants more help in addition to Landry. The Bears have a bigger need at wideout after its previous corps struggled with injuries and production. The Browns hold more than $82MM in cap space, and the Bears are sitting on just more than $50MM.
Robinson doesn’t have the cleanest track record as far as staying on the field, but his dominant 2015 season (14 touchdowns, 1,400 air yards) understandably would have teams teeming with interest.
Bears Use Transition Tag On Kyle Fuller
The Bears are going to apply the transition tag to cornerback Kyle Fuller, sources tell Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). The transition tag will enable the Bears to match any offer presented to Fuller, though they will not receive draft compensation in the event that they do not match. 
With ample cap room, the Bears will pretty much have the ability to retain Fuller regardless of the offer sheet he signs. That doesn’t mean that the Bears will match any contract, but they have the means to retain one of their top defenders.
The transition tag for cornerbacks this year is $12.971MM. The non-exclusive franchise tag, which would have entitled the Bears to draft compensation if Fuller signed an offer sheet elsewhere, would have cost the team $14.975MM. There is one key advantage to the transition tag over the franchise tag – the Bears can negotiate a long-term deal with Fuller beyond the July deadline for franchised players.
The move comes as something of a surprise, though Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reported earlier in the week that the transition tag was still a possibility for Fuller. There is reportedly interest on both sides in moving forward together, so a long-term deal seems possible.
In 2017, Fuller totaled 68 tackles and ranked as PFF’s No. 22 ranked cornerback over the likes of Ronald Darby, Byron Maxwell, Jason McCourty, Richard Sherman, and other notables. However, he had a bit of an up-and-down track record in the three previous years. The former No. 14 overall pick did well as a rookie in 2014 and followed that up with a decent showing in 2015, but his entire 2016 season was lost due to a knee injury. The Bears declined Fuller’s fifth-year option, but in hindsight, they wish they had him under contract for 2018 at the much cheaper rate of $8.526MM.
Fuller is no longer an unrestricted free agent, but other quality unencumbered cornerbacks remain. Trumaine Johnson, Malcolm Butler, Bashaud Breeland, E.J. Gaines, and Morris Claiborne currently headline this year’s CB class.
Extra Points: Bears, Fuller, Seahawks
No surprise here, but Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune hears that the Bears are unlikely to use the franchise tag on Kyle Fuller. Multiple sources tell Biggs that they do not expect the franchise tag to be employed, though he is less certain about whether the transition tag could be in play. It also seems unlikely that Fuller would sign a multi-year contract with the Bears before free agency opens, but there is interest on both sides in moving forward together.
Here’s more from around the NFL on a very busy Monday:
- The Seahawks had open ears at the draft combine last week, sources tell Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports (on Twitter). Among those drawing interest include defensive tackle Michael Bennett and safety Earl Thomas, two players that have been the subject of trade speculation in recent weeks. Over the weekend, it was reported that the Falcons have discussed a Bennett deal with Seattle. Cornerback Richard Sherman, who has a $13.2MM cap charge in 2018, is also a trade candidate.
- The Panthers, Jaguars, and Dolphins are heavily interested in free agent quarterback market, Ben Volin of The Boston Globe (on Twitter) hears. The Panthers obviously have a starter in Cam Newton, but they are seeking a quality backup because Newton tends to take a lot of hits. The Jaguars and Dolphins have starters in Blake Bortles and Ryan Tannehill, respectively, but both clubs want veteran backups that can push them. The Dolphins are also exploring the idea of drafting a QB at No. 11 overall.
- Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson has been the subject of tremendous debate in football circles, particularly due to questions about his ability to play QB at the next level. He may have another problem. Jackson did not do well in interviews and white-board work at the combine, Volin hears (Twitter link) and his decision to go without an agent may be the culprit.
- The Bills‘ one-year contract with cornerback Vontae Davis includes an unusual wrinkle, as noted by Volin (on Twitter). Davis is slated to receive a roster bonus of nearly $47K for each game he spends on the 46-man active roster. Meanwhile, he’ll receive a lesser bonus of almost $16K per game that he spends on the 53-man roster. It’s unique for a contract to have separate bonuses for appearing on the 53 and the 46 each week, but it’s a creative structure for Buffalo given Davis’ injury history. One has to wonder if other teams could follow a similar blueprint this offseason when signing veterans with health concerns.
Ravens Inquiring About Jarvis Landry
Count the Ravens among the teams now connected to Jarvis Landry. The franchise-tagged wideout has been given permission to facilitate a trade and will sign his franchise tender to do so, and another receiver-needy suitor has emerged.
The Ravens join the Bears and at least three other teams among those to have discussed a potential deal with Landry’s agent, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports (on Twitter).
No agreement is imminent, but the Ravens being involved signifies they’re inquiring about the successful slot target as a potential solution amid a receiving corps rebuild. Ozzie Newsome indicated in Indianapolis the team is looking at a rebuild of its wideout cadre.
Baltimore does not have a reliable young talent on its roster. Its Breshad Perriman investment has not worked out. Mike Wallace is also a free agent and will turn 32 before next season. Soon to be 30, Jeremy Maclin has one year remaining on his contract after a disappointing season.
Landry’s tag is expected to be worth $16.2MM, and the Bears — the team most linked to Landry thus far — have far more cap space than the Ravens at $63MM-plus. The Ravens’ cap situation is again unenviable. As of Sunday night, they stand to possess $9MM-plus in cap space and have among the least in the league.
Maclin could be cut to save $5MM, but $2.5MM in dead money would come with that move. A Brandon Carr cut has a $4MM-$3MM cap savings-dead money outcome, with an Austin Howard release saving $3MM but tagging the Baltimore cap with $2MM.
But Baltimore is inquiring and would presumably be ready for an extension to reduce Landry’s 2018 cap hit.
Opinion: Bears Should Not Pursue Jarvis Landry
- Although the Bears have interest in Dolphins wideout Jarvis Landry, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune does not believe the team should trade for him. Biggs says Landry does not give Chicago the dynamic, speedy playmaker that it needs, and given that, it would cost too much in both dollars and draft capital to land him.
Free Agency Notes: Jets, Colts, Lewis, Burton
Here’s a look at the latest free agency buzz:
- Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com (on Twitter) hears the Jets and Colts are “possible destinations” for Patriots free agent running back Dion Lewis. The language in Fowler’s report is admittedly soft, but free agents are technically forbidden from talking to rival teams during this time, so this may be a wink-wink acknowledgement that both teams have engaged in some secretive discussions prior to the legal tampering period on March 12. Recently, Mike Florio of PFT indicated that the Texans, 49ers, and Raiders were also potential destinations for the 27-year-old (28 in September).
- No surprise here, but free agent tight end Trey Burton is a popular man. With the Eagles unlikely to retain him, 16 clubs have already checked in on his status this week, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (Twitter link).
- Some executives who spoke with Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com indicated that Dontari Poe could be a fit for the Buccaneers. Poe, who did well on his one-year platform deal with the Falcons, may also fit the Redskins, Broncos, and Colts, per JLC.
- More from JLC, who cautions of a potential bidding war between the Bears and Chiefs over backup quarterback Chase Daniel. The Saints would like to retain the veteran, but they might not be able to afford him with a big money extension on the horizon for Drew Brees. The Bears and Chiefs both make sense for Daniel given the ties he has to both coaching staffs.
Bears Not Looking To Trade Jordan Howard
There will be plenty of roster turnover for the Bears this offseason, but it sounds like Jordan Howard is staying put. The Bears have “zero desire” to trade the running back, sources tell Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). 
On Saturday afternoon, a report from NBC Sports Chicago ignited some Twitter buzz about a potential swap involving Howard and Jarvis Landry of the Dolphins. The Bears do have interest in Landry, but they apparently do not have interest in parting with Howard in order to bring him to Chicago. To that end, a league source tells Mike Florio of PFT that there is “no way” a Landry-for-Howard swap will go down.
Howard has turned in two quality seasons for the Bears with a combined average of 4.6 yards per carry. Last year, Howard started in every game for the Bears and ran for 1,122 yards and nine touchdowns off of 276 carries. He also added 23 catches for 125 yards.
A former fifth round pick, Howard remains under contract for two more seasons with cap charges of just $692K and $782K. Naturally, he is the kind of player that Chicago is intent on keeping.
Bears Interested In Jarvis Landry
The Dolphins are working in concert with Jarvis Landry to find a suitable trade and already one potential suitor has emerged. The Bears have interest in acquiring the slot receiver, according to Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald. 
[RELATED: Dolphins Allow Landry To Seek Trade]
The Bears have a clear need at wide receiver this offseason and they also have the cap space to take on Landry’s one-year, $16.2MM tender. Presumably, the Bears would reach agreement on a long-term extension before acquiring Landry, giving them true value rather than a one-year rental.
Recently, Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald‘s reported that the return for Landry will likely be a third-round pick, a late second-round pick, or a player. For what it’s worth, the Bears have seven picks in this year’s draft, but do not own a third-round choice. Their second-round pick is rather high (No. 39 overall) and their next pick doesn’t come until the fourth round (No. 105). Of course, that’s only a minor obstacle for a trade and there are other ways for the Bears to convey the value of a third rounder if that is the mutually agreed upon valuation.
Over the last four years, Landry has hauled in 400 passes for 4,038 yards and 22 touchdowns for Miami.
Bears Have Interest In WR Albert Wilson
The Bears have “real” interest in free agent wide receiver Albert Wilson, according to Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times (Twitter link).
Wilson, 24, spent the first four years of his career in the Chiefs working under now-Bears head coach Matt Nagy, so he’d clearly offer scheme familiarity if he were to land in Chicago. Indeed, Kansas City general manager Brett Veach even pointed to the Bears as a potential Wilson destination when asked about the free agent’s prospects of leaving the Chiefs, as Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times tweets.
Perhaps more than any club in the NFL, the Bears desperately need to add receivers this offseason. Kendall Wright and Dontrelle Inman are both headed for unrestricted free agency, Kevin White and Cameron Meredith are coming off injury, and Markus Wheaton seems likely to be released. Chicago traded up to acquire quarterback Mitch Trubisky in 2017, and the team now must bring in weapons for its franchise signal-caller.
2017 marked the best overall campaign for Wilson, who entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2014. Last season, Wilson posted a career-high in receptions (42), yards (554), and touchdowns (three). Among receivers with fewer than 50 receptions, Wilson ranked eighth in Football Outsiders‘ DVOA, meaning he was extremely effective on a per-play basis despite his lack of volume.
Bears Could Re-Sign Mark Sanchez
- Veteran quarterback Mark Sanchez didn’t attempt a single pass for the Bears last season, but Chicago could nonetheless be open to a reunion. “You know, he did a good job this year,” Bears general manager Ryan Pace said, via Jeff Dickerson of ESPN.com. “All the things we value with him: his veteran leadership and his experiences. Again he’s a free agent; those are all evaluations that are ongoing.” Chicago doesn’t have a backup for Mitch Trubisky on its current roster after announcing its intent to release Mike Glennon earlier today.