Contract Projections For Top Chicago Bears Free Agent Targets Revealed
The Chicago Bears will likely attack some of their roster needs in free agency. GM Ryan Poles insisted he won’t do anything crazy. His goal is to be smart with his spending. Find value and don’t overdo it. That means finding the best deals to help the Bears improve without straining their salary structure. Much of this depends on how the market unfolds. Some players will be in high demand, which may increase the price to get them. The Poles will have to be adept at his negotiating strategy.
One of the most interesting aspects of this whole situation is the money involved. People can’t be sure what some players can command on the open market. There are theories, but none of them seem very plausible. Here it is better to get details from an expert. Enter Brad Spielberger. He is widely regarded as one of the best salary level experts in the field. He put together a massive column covering the 100 cheapest players this offseason and provided contract projections for all of them.
“KNOW DARON PAYNE, WASHINGTON Commanders
Projected contract: Four years, $80 million ($20 million per year); $55 million in total guaranteed
OT MIKE MCGLINCHEY, SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
Projected contract: Four years, $62 million ($15.5 million per year); $37.25 million in total guaranteed
OT JAWAAN TAYLOR, JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
Projected contract: Four years, $57 million ($14.25 million per year); $33.5 million in total guaranteed
DI DRE’MONT JONES, DENVER BRONCOS
Projected contract: Four years, $58 million ($14.5 million per year); $37.5 million in total guaranteed
LB TJ EDWARDS, PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
Projected contract: Three years, $40.5 million ($13.5 million per year); $25 million in total guaranteed
OT KALEB MCGARY, ATLANTA FALCONS
Projected contract: Four years, $52 million ($13 million per year); $31 million in total guaranteed
WR MICHAEL THOMAS, NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
Projected contract: One year, $12.5 million; $10 million total guaranteed
LB BOBBY OKEREKE, INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
Projected contract: Three years, $25.5 million ($8.5 million per year); $15.75 million in total guaranteed
WR DJ CHARK JR., DETROIT LIONS
Projected contract: Three years, $35 million ($11.66 million per year); $23.5 million in total guaranteed
EDGE YANNICK NGAKOUE, INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
Projected contract: Two years, $25 million ($12.5 million per year); $20 million in total guaranteed”
They can afford almost all those contracts. That is not the issue. It’s a matter of whether they think any of those players are worth those numbers. Payne and Jones are the exact types of interior pass rushers the Bears need. Payne is a little younger and stayed healthy last season. Jones is more proven over a longer period of time. Is Payne really worth $6.5 million more per year than Jones? Maybe. This is what Poles need to understand. Spielberger seems to think former All-Pro wide receiver Michael Thomas will be cut. Maybe he could be worth a one-year flier to see if he has anything left after multiple injury setbacks.
The offensive tackle market may be the most interesting to watch. McGlinchey, McGary and Taylor would all be immediate upgrades over whatever the Chicago Bears have at right tackle. McGlinchey and McGary are both great run blockers, but so are pass defenders. Taylor is the opposite. He thrived in pass protection this year, but has never been good in run blocking. Bears will have to decide which to prioritize if they pursue either. It’s good to have at least an idea of the numbers we’re going to be looking at.
