Chicago Bears News & Rumors

It only took $6.5MM per year to land Edwards, and this contract effectively set the market for this crowded third tier of sorts at inside linebacker. But the two LB pledges on Day 1 of the tampering period illustrated the Bears’ interest in a position that, not unlike running back, has fallen far from its prestige peak. An Edmunds-Edwards duo will give Chicago a promising linebacker outlook, marking a major upgrade from the scraps assembled to staff last year defensive second level.

Early-April and early-June rumors depicted Bears interest in bolstering its pass-rushing corps, but going into camp, the team still lacked a proven edge threat. That changed when Ngakoue made the Bears his sixth NFL team, collecting more money than the other veteran edges who had lingered on the market into the summer. Surpassing the likes of Frank Clark, Justin Houston and ex-Bear Leonard Floyd in base value and guarantees, Ngakoue, 28, will be an upgrade for a Bears team that saw its pass rush predictably collapse after the trades of Khalil Mack and Robert Quinn. Poles landed second-, fourth- and sixth-rounders for that pair, but the Bears finished last in 2022 sacks (20). To help remedy the issue, the Bears signed the only player riding a seven-season streak of at least eight sacks.

While Houston loomed as a Bears backup plan, Ngakoue will anchor another pass rush. As the Colts crumbled, Ngakoue still totaled 9.5 sacks. With the Raiders in 2021, he racked up 10 to go with 23 QB hits. The Bears also added Walker and Green as supporting rushers, and while Walker offers outside- and inside-rushing ability, the team will count on Ngakoue to keep up his pace.

Walker, 28, is coming off a career-high seven sacks and 16 QB hits — the latter figure more than doubling his career best — with the Titans. This Bears deal marks a turning point for Walker, who washed out of Denver as a second-round pick and played for near-vet-minimum money in Houston and Tennessee. Green has totaled 10 sacks over the past two seasons, with his last year in a 4-3 scheme — with the Seahawks in 2021 — resulting in a career-high 15 QB hits. Pass rush will likely be a top 2024 need, but this group features better pieces compared to how Chicago’s post-Mack outfit looked at this time last year.

Not all of Fields’ 55 sacks taken were on the Bears’ O-line, but they made a clear effort to repair some of the damage. Davis came in first, securing eight-figure-per-year money after four seasons as a Titans starter. Davis was in place for each of Derrick Henry‘s rushing titles, and as the line dealt with steady tackle issues — from Taylor Lewan‘s knee trouble to its post-Jack Conklin RT staffing concerns — Davis was a constant during the team’s 2021 surge to the AFC’s top seed. PFF rated Davis as the No. 14 run-blocking guard from 2020-22, though ESPN’s pass block win rate charged him with an alarming eight sacks allowed last season.

The Bears pursued both Mike McGlinchey and Isaac Seumalo, whose Eagles tenure overlapped with assistant GM Ian Cunningham‘s. They decided on Davis at guard and let the Broncos win the McGlinchey sweepstakes, which required a top-six RT AAV ($17.5MM) and a practical guarantee north of $50MM. More changes are coming up front for Chicago, which is moving converted tackle Teven Jenkins once again — from right guard to left guard, to accommodate Davis — and shifting Cody Whitehair back to center. The Bears’ longest-tenured offensive starter, Whitehair had moved to guard in 2019 to accommodate James Daniels. But the 31-year-old blocker spent his first three NFL seasons at center.

Davis’ presence helped Foreman effectively replace Henry, a low-cost Titans effort that provided some groundwork for a vicious running back offseason. Despite replacing both Henry and McCaffrey effectively over the past two years, Foreman, 27, could only score a $2MM deal. The bruising ex-third-rounder finished with a career-best 914 rushing yards (4.5 per tote) in 2022, getting there despite playing a minimal role before the CMC trade. Though, Foreman contributed next to nothing in the passing game with the Titans or Panthers.

Holding a three-man competition between Foreman, Khalil Herbert and fourth-round rookie Roschon Johnson, the Bears will likely form a timeshare. Albeit in an injury-limited season, Herbert averaged 5.7 yards per carry and offers a speedier option compared to Foreman. While the Bears have not used Herbert in the passing game much either, he looks to be the early clubhouse leader.

Getsy reunited with both Tonyan and Lewis, giving the Bears one of the league’s deepest tight end contingents. Joining starter Cole Kmet, the ex-Packers offer differing skillsets. Lewis, 39, has been one of the NFL’s best blocking tight ends for some time. He will be blazing a new trail for tight ends, being set to become the first 18th-year player at the position. The longtime Jaguar-turned-Matt LaFleur-era Packer only missed one game while with Green Bay; he will be in position to boost Chicago’s ground game.

Tonyan, 29, recovered from the ACL tear that derailed his 2021 contract year, but he did not show the form he flashed in 2020. Failing to match his lofty (and unsustainable) 11 touchdowns from the ’20 slate, Tonyan did play in all 17 Packers games last season. Now two years removed from the knee injury, Tonyan should be in better form with the Bears.

Re-signings:

• Khari Blasingame, FB: Two years, $3.6MM ($1.95MM guaranteed)
• Patrick Scales, LB: One year, $1.32MM ($1.1MM guaranteed)
• Nathan Peterman, QB: One year, $1.23MM ($153K guaranteed)
• Dante Pettis, WR: One year, $1.23MM ($153K guaranteed)

Notable losses:

• Matthew Adams, LB
• Angelo Blackson, DT
• Breon Borders, CB
• Tim Boyle, QB
• Dane Cruikshank, DB
• Dakota Dozier, G
• Darrynton Evans, RB
• Ryan Griffin, TE
• N’Keal Harry, WR
• DeAndre Houston-Carson, DB
• Elijah Lee, LB
• David Montgomery, RB
• Nicholas Morrow, LB
• Al-Quadin Muhammad, DL (released)
• Sam Mustipher, OL
• Mike Pennel, DT
• Byron Pringle, WR
• Riley Reiff, T
• Michael Schofield, OL
• Trevor Siemian, QB (released)
• Joe Thomas, LB
• Armon Watts, DL
• Trevon Wesco, TE

In a merry-go-round among NFC running backs, the Bears tried to prevent Montgomery from landing elsewhere. As free agency’s first week progressed, the RB market stood frozen — a harbinger of what loomed at the position — before Montgomery helped break the ice. Although Poles said the Bears made an offer to retain Montgomery, he ended up with the Lions on a three-year, $18MM pact. This led Jamaal Williams to the Saints (three years, $12MM). The Lions had attempted to re-sign last year’s rushing TDs leader as well. As the Panthers gave Miles Sanders the largest guarantee in this year’s RB class, Foreman became available as a Montgomery consolation prize.

The Bears’ offer did not include any post-2023 guarantees, while Montgomery’s Lions deal contained $3MM guaranteed next year. Montgomery offered workmanlike production during his Bears rookie contract, surpassing 800 rushing yards each season and eclipsing 400 through the air in 2020. Next Gen Stats’ rushing yards over expected metric placed Foreman (122) well ahead of Montgomery (minus-53) last season. Considering the Foreman signing cost the Bears a fraction of what it took for the Lions to add Montgomery, Poles’ club may have been right to stand down.

Rejoining ex-Panthers teammates Foreman and Moore, Walker started seven games with Carolina, which went 4-3 in those contests from 2020-22. Perhaps Moore’s most memorable play — the would-be game-winning 62-yard touchdown in Atlanta, were it not for a bizarre Moore personal foul — came on a Walker heave, and the ex-Rhule charge held off Baker Mayfield once the latter recovered from his high ankle sprain last season. Walker, 28, has yet to complete 60% of his passes in an NFL season.

Extensions and restructures:

• Handed TE Cole Kmet four-year, $50MM extension ($22.89MM guaranteed)

Kmet agreed to a fairly team-friendly extension, one that places him in a tie for ninth in tight end AAV. Kmet’s pact matches Hunter Henry‘s average salary — on a contract agreed to in March 2021 — so the Bears locking down their starter through 2027 at this rate could certainly age well. Kmet is an Illinois native coming off back-to-back seasons with 500-plus receiving yards. As Fields attempts to grow into a franchise QB, the Bears will bet on Kmet helping to take him there.

Chosen with Chicago’s first pick in 2020, Kmet took a step forward in 2021 by amassing a career-high 612 receiving yards. After the 6-foot-6 Notre Dame alum totaled no touchdowns that year, he caught seven for an anemic Bears passing attack last season. Kmet, 24, has never missed a game since being taken 43rd overall. While Darnell Mooney and Chase Claypool are going into contract years, the Bears have Moore and Kmet signed long term. It will be interesting to see if Chicago chooses to extend one of its auxiliary wideouts or looks to the draft to restock.

At tight end, Kmet committing long term stands to bring a new chapter for a Bears team that has needed to make a few outside hires (Jimmy Graham, Trey Burton, Martellus Bennett) at the position in recent years.

Draft:

• Round 1, No. 10 (from Saints through Eagles): Darnell Wright, T (Tennessee) (signed)
• Round 2, No. 53 (from Ravens): Gervon Dexter, DT (Florida) (signed)
• Round 2, No. 56 (from Jaguars): Tyrique Stevenson, CB (Miami) (signed)
• Round 3, No. 64: Zacch Pickens, DT (South Carolina) (signed)
• Round 4, No. 115 (from Saints): Roschon Johnson, RB (Texas) (signed)
• Round 4, No. 133 (from Eagles): Tyler Scott, WR (Cincinnati) (signed)
• Round 5, No. 148 (from Patriots through Ravens): Noah Sewell, LB (Oregon) (signed)
• Round 5, No. 165 (from Saints through Eagles): Terell Smith, CB (Minnesota) (signed)
• Round 7, No. 218: Travis Bell, DT (Kennesaw State) (signed)
• Round 7, No. 258: Kendall Williamson, S (Stanford) (signed)

Viewed as a possible floor for Jalen Carter, the Bears indeed hosted the controversial Georgia defensive tackle on a visit. Carter had met with every team picking from Nos. 5-10, but Chicago joined Seattle, Las Vegas and Atlanta in passing on the high-risk/high-reward prospect. The Bears picked up a fourth-round pick to pass on Carter, sending him to the Eagles. They then circled back to their right tackle pursuit, and Wright is weeks away from taking over as a starter.

Wright spent more time on the right side than left while at Tennessee, but be brings considerable experience at both spots. A first-team All-SEC blocker last year, Wright started 40 games in college — 27 at right tackle, 13 at left tackle — and the Bears saw enough to pass on hometown product Peter Skoronski. Whereas the Titans have made the expected choice to relocate Skoronski to guard, Wright — the Volunteers’ right tackle in 2020 and ’22 — will play alongside Davis and work opposite 2022 rookie success story Braxton Jones.

This represents the Bears’ first Round 1 investment in the O-line since they took Kyle Long in 2013. With both Jones and Wright being Poles investments, the Bears have the makings of a long-term tackle duo. This comes after the team has scrambled here for the past two seasons, since severing ties with its long-running Charles Leno–Bobby Massie pair. The Bears used Jason Peters as an emergency left tackle stopgap in 2021 and tried Jenkins at both tackle posts, before determining he worked better as a guard. Riley Reiff ended up Chicago’s right-sider to close last season, replacing Larry Borom, who is now in place as the swingman.

Stevenson is ticketed to start as a rookie, which will give the Bears a cornerback trio featuring three second-rounders — Stevenson, Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon. Johnson arrived during Ryan Pace‘s GM tenure and looms as an extension candidate, but the Poles staff’s cornerback scouting abilities will be judged this year through Gordon and Stevenson’s play. Stevenson is set to relocate Gordon to a slot role. A Georgia transfer, Stevenson played primarily on the outside during his final two college seasons. If the Bears extend Johnson, they could have the opportunity for rare continuity at this position — due to Stevenson and Gordon being tied to rookie deals for years.

As of now, Billings and Justin Jones are ahead of the two Day 3 defensive tackles. Neither Pickens nor Dexter were productive pass rushers in college, but the Colts’ D-tackle setup reveals the position’s importance in Eberflus’ scheme. The Colts traded a first-round pick for DeForest Buckner in 2020 and gave Grover Stewart a $10MM-per-year extension later that year. If nothing else, Dexter and Pickens create 2023 depth at the position. With both projected starters on expiring contracts, the Day 2 draftees should be expected to challenge for starting jobs in 2024.

Other:

• Assistant GM Ian Cunningham interviewed for Cardinals, Titans’ GM jobs
• Hired Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren as team president
• Added Jon Hoke as defensive pass-game coordinator
• Claimed DT Bravvion Roy, LB Mykal Walker off waivers from Panthers, Falcons
• Signed 14 undrafted free agents

One of four Eagles execs to become an assistant GM elsewhere in 2022, Cunningham found himself in demand this year. Both the Cardinals and Titans interviewed Poles’ chief second. The Titans brought him in for two interviews, while a report indicated the Cards offered Cunningham their GM job (one that ultimately went to Monti Ossenfort). Rather than leave for the desert, Cunningham will stay on this Bears rebuild. It should be expected more teams show interest down the road.

Warren, 59, will fill the role Ted Phillips held for more than 20 years. While Warren is now best known for a tenure as the Big Ten commissioner, he has tours of duty with the Rams, Lions and Vikings. Most notably, Warren spent 15 years in Minnesota. The Bears previously had their GMs report to Phillips, and they are not deviating. Although Warren will run the business side, Poles will report to him. Warren should be expected to have a say in how the Bears proceed with Poles and Eberflus, being positioned as the exec who would play the lead role in shaping the team’s next HC-GM combo.

Top 10 cap charges for 2023:

1. D.J. Moore, WR: $20.17MM
2. Eddie Jackson, S: $17.1MM
3. Tremaine Edmunds, LB: $14.69MM
4. Cody Whitehair, OL: $14.1MM
5. Yannick Ngakoue, DE: $10.44MM
6. Justin Jones, DT: $7.4MM
7. Cole Kmet, TE: $7.36MM
8. Nate Davis, G: $6.93MM
9. DeMarcus Walker, DL: $6.42MM
10. Lucas Patrick, OL: $5.38MM

Aaron Rodgers‘ NFC North exit creates more uncertainty in a division he largely controlled during his 15-year starter run. In addition to the Packers’ Jordan Love transition, the Vikings overhauling their defensive staff — after a season in which they finished 13-4 with a negative point differential — puts the Lions in a rare spot as a trendy favorite. Detroit has never won the NFC North, with its last division crown coming when they won the NFC Central in 1993. Las Vegas gives the Bears the longest odds to win this division, but even after their worst regular season since since 1969, they are not viewed as a hopeless underdog.

In what could be a wide-open division in a conference short on muscle, eyes will be on the QB bet Poles made. While recent draftees should generate attention as this Bears regime determines potential pillars, Fields’ progress will obviously shape Chicago’s season. How Fields and Young’s trajectories look coming out of this season will illuminate the second QB fork-in-the-road moment the Bears have faced over the past decade. Young will become one of the biggest what-ifs in Bears history, but if Fields makes a noticeable leap as a passer this season, the Panthers QB’s status probably will not haunt the NFC North franchise in the way Patrick Mahomes has.