Are they going to break the bank on Linderbaum? Bears Now was reporting they could afford him Crosby but it's going to take a lot of front end loaded deals and lots of reconstructing contracts. We still don't have a safety under contract....
Bears
- Thread starter PowerI66
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I always understood rules to help protect kids but these are highly paid adults, they know the risks especially now.
Interesting move. Gonna be very interesting to see how the Bears allocate their available cap space.
Can't give 2 years worth of first rounders. Rookie contracts are gold.
They are covered at C, so it’s helps them in draft and FA. Wouldn’t surprise me to see a center drafted and I believe they have a young backup guard they were having practice at center, name escapes me at moment.
Teams that commit 12 to 16% of their teams salary cap to these highly touted defensive ends dont go to the Super Bowl.
The only exception is Michael Strahan who lost in the Super Bowl.
I'd love it but he's going to get big money and it doesn't seem like they are going to go that this season. I hear he's linked to Dallas possibly as they are looking to spend. You never know but I don't see it
The WR position is SOOOO deep, I'd not be using any pick or spending much on #3. Instead, take Kevin Coleman Jr. as an UDFA. Co-offensive player of the year with LB3 in high school, he went the Jackson State route and made whistle stops during a career that ended at Mizzou, where he got a team-leading 750-ish yards last year and returned a punt for a 67-yard TD.
Having LB3 and him on the same team will push each to be all they can be! The two have competed against each other since they were nine years old and were considered the top two prospects in the city during high school. Burden starred at Cardinal Ritter and East St. Louis, while Coleman led St. Mary's to its first state championship in 2021.
After Luther left for the NFL, Coleman requested Burden’s No. 3 jersey, viewing it as a "St. Louis number" that represents the city's top talent.
The Bears can also UDFA Toriano Pride, making the roster more STL-centric than any other team in the NFL. Before you know it, the Jewels will be stocking pork steaks and Maull's BBQ sauce.
Having LB3 and him on the same team will push each to be all they can be! The two have competed against each other since they were nine years old and were considered the top two prospects in the city during high school. Burden starred at Cardinal Ritter and East St. Louis, while Coleman led St. Mary's to its first state championship in 2021.
After Luther left for the NFL, Coleman requested Burden’s No. 3 jersey, viewing it as a "St. Louis number" that represents the city's top talent.
The Bears can also UDFA Toriano Pride, making the roster more STL-centric than any other team in the NFL. Before you know it, the Jewels will be stocking pork steaks and Maull's BBQ sauce.
WR position is not deep - I don't get why people keep saying this.
Rome is not a #1. I would say he's been disappointing thus far from what was expected as the #11 pick in the draft. There is a drastic difference between him and the top tier WR's in the league. He appears to be fragile as well.
LB3 - ceiling is very high but still has a ways to go. He will be a dog...eventually.
We have nothing at the WR position after this......
Our three best pass catchers are all on rookie deals still. Bears have $$$ to spend at this position now that DJ's terrible contract is gone.
I expect them to make a move in bring in a notable name here.
WR position in draft is exceptionally deep.
Rome needs to take a step, no doubt.
LB3 showed what he can do when he got inserted into the O more, I expect that to continue next year.
Lets not forget Loveland was brought along slowly and was an absolute force in last 1/3rd of season.
The new league year hasn't even started yet, they will obviously add to the group.
I meant (but did not clearly communicate) WR is a deep position in the draft and league-wide. It's just the shift of talent, and less can be spent there, just like RB. THAT SAID, we should take East St. Louis native J. Love if we get the chance too! Then see if we can pry Jamo AND D. Lovett from Detroit for more WR depth!
Agreed on Odunze. And he was was actually the 9th pick. He just lacks elite athleticism to be taken that high. Doesn't get separation and struggles making contested catches. Burden will be their WR1. He will keep ascending with more opportunities. I think they might give UFA Jahade Walker a larger role too. He showed promise at the end of the year. Also, they play 2 TEs a lot. Kmet might get more opportunities in the passing game too. And has been mentioned, I would also expect Loveland to continue to ascend. He may be the Bears' #1 receiving target next year.
Keep in mind, there are only so many resources to devote to one position. The Bears have major needs on defense that were just addressed with the safety and DT FA signings. They might sign a veteran WR to be role player and/or draft someone in the later rounds. There just are too many needs on defense. That's why Moore was traded. To free up cap space to address the defensive needs. Kudos to Poles for getting the 2nd rounder. Took advantage of the Bills' desperation IMO.
He led the league in contested catch rate in 2024, took a major step back in 2025. Some of that drop off is injury related.
Former Browns LB Devin Bush reached agreement today on a 3-year, $30 million deal that includes $21 million guaranteed with the Chicago Bears, per agent Drew Rosenhaus.
I agree on everything here but…. they have to be paying their top 3 pass catchers less than anyone else in the league by a LARGE margin. Theres money available to go get a solid WR still.
Bears top 5 offensive players are all on rookie deals still. Now is the time to shoot for the stars….Go get a top WR. Local kid Alex Pierce wouldn’t been great. Mike Evans woulda been good.
With all the needs the Bears have WR is near the bottom of that list. The two you listed have already signed with Evans getting $20 mil/year and Pierce $29 mil. Bears have much bigger needs and nowhere near the cap space to be splurging on a WR.
With DJ gone they don't really have any big contracts they can restructure. Jaylon Johnson, but this will be the first year of his new deal so not sure if they'll restructure already.
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OK, which of these remaining free agent WRs would you like to over pay for what will amount to a #3 guy?
2026 Wide Receiver Free Agents
Tracking the status and signings of all 2026 Wide Receiver free agents, including total value, average and guarantees.
www.spotrac.com
Sure, maybe, maybe not …but that’s a far cry from the guys you mentioned originally.
Good replacement and possibly slight upgrade over Duvernay in the return department
In 9 career games against the Bears he has 235 yards and 2 TDs. More like a match stick rather than a torch.