Hopefully this move means nothing when it comes to bringing Tevin Jenkins back.
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***Chicago Bears Thread*** Ben Johnson hired. The Resurrection Begins! (18 Viewers)
- Thread starter flapgreen
- Start date
Well, that came out of nowhere. Age (32) isn't ideal, but I'd VERY MUCH argue Thuney>Trey Smith right now anyway. Thuney was arguably having the best season of his career until being moved to LT.
rschroeder1
Footballguy
A 2025 6th and a 2026 4th does not seem like too bad a price to pay for some stability on the offensive line.
The cap hit on Jackson seems a bit unclear. Jonathan Wood reporting its 11.8 million for '25 and '26, but Spotrac says 17.5/17 million the next two years.
www.spotrac.com
With Thuney's contract up after this year and Jackson a cut after '25 with no or limited dead cap (depending on the source), it feels like the Bears still need to go O-line heavy in the draft. Though D-line is probably the #1 focus.
The cap hit on Jackson seems a bit unclear. Jonathan Wood reporting its 11.8 million for '25 and '26, but Spotrac says 17.5/17 million the next two years.
Jonah Jackson | NFL Contracts & Salaries | Spotrac.com
Jonah Jackson signed a 3 year, $51,000,000 contract with the Los Angeles Rams, including $4,250,000 signing bonus, $34,000,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $17,000,000. In 2025, Jackson will earn a base salary of $9,000,000 and a roster bonus of $8,500,000, while carrying a cap...
With Thuney's contract up after this year and Jackson a cut after '25 with no or limited dead cap (depending on the source), it feels like the Bears still need to go O-line heavy in the draft. Though D-line is probably the #1 focus.
King of the Jungle
Footballguy
Time to start paying attention to if the Bears grab one of these RBs in the draft.
fightingillini
Footballguy
Good trades for CHI. Sure both OL are older, but they help immediately. Allows them to go BPA at 10, where as before they almost HAD to take an OL.
InDitkaWeTrust
Footballguy
I suspect both will be resigned if they are playing at a reasonable level. I also wonder if Jackson will be penciled in as the starting OC and we draft an OG with one of the 2nd round picks.A 2025 6th and a 2026 4th does not seem like too bad a price to pay for some stability on the offensive line.
The cap hit on Jackson seems a bit unclear. Jonathan Wood reporting its 11.8 million for '25 and '26, but Spotrac says 17.5/17 million the next two years.
Jonah Jackson | NFL Contracts & Salaries | Spotrac.com
Jonah Jackson signed a 3 year, $51,000,000 contract with the Los Angeles Rams, including $4,250,000 signing bonus, $34,000,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $17,000,000. In 2025, Jackson will earn a base salary of $9,000,000 and a roster bonus of $8,500,000, while carrying a cap...
With Thuney's contract up after this year and Jackson a cut after '25 with no or limited dead cap (depending on the source), it feels like the Bears still need to go O-line heavy in the draft. Though D-line is probably the #1 focus.
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
I suspect both will be resigned if they are playing at a reasonable level. I also wonder if Jackson will be penciled in as the starting OC and we draft an OG with one of the 2nd round picks.A 2025 6th and a 2026 4th does not seem like too bad a price to pay for some stability on the offensive line.
The cap hit on Jackson seems a bit unclear. Jonathan Wood reporting its 11.8 million for '25 and '26, but Spotrac says 17.5/17 million the next two years.
Jonah Jackson | NFL Contracts & Salaries | Spotrac.com
Jonah Jackson signed a 3 year, $51,000,000 contract with the Los Angeles Rams, including $4,250,000 signing bonus, $34,000,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $17,000,000. In 2025, Jackson will earn a base salary of $9,000,000 and a roster bonus of $8,500,000, while carrying a cap...
With Thuney's contract up after this year and Jackson a cut after '25 with no or limited dead cap (depending on the source), it feels like the Bears still need to go O-line heavy in the draft. Though D-line is probably the #1 focus.
He struggled at C for the Rams. Pro Bowl G back in ‘21 for the Lions but only played 4 g last year - most of the second half of the season he was a healthy scratch.
InDitkaWeTrust
Footballguy
Dang. I suppose he'll be set at OG then. Hopefully we can get Drew Dalman.I suspect both will be resigned if they are playing at a reasonable level. I also wonder if Jackson will be penciled in as the starting OC and we draft an OG with one of the 2nd round picks.A 2025 6th and a 2026 4th does not seem like too bad a price to pay for some stability on the offensive line.
The cap hit on Jackson seems a bit unclear. Jonathan Wood reporting its 11.8 million for '25 and '26, but Spotrac says 17.5/17 million the next two years.
Jonah Jackson | NFL Contracts & Salaries | Spotrac.com
Jonah Jackson signed a 3 year, $51,000,000 contract with the Los Angeles Rams, including $4,250,000 signing bonus, $34,000,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $17,000,000. In 2025, Jackson will earn a base salary of $9,000,000 and a roster bonus of $8,500,000, while carrying a cap...
With Thuney's contract up after this year and Jackson a cut after '25 with no or limited dead cap (depending on the source), it feels like the Bears still need to go O-line heavy in the draft. Though D-line is probably the #1 focus.
He struggled at C for the Rams. Pro Bowl G back in ‘21 for the Lions but only played 4 g last year - most of the second half of the season he was a healthy scratch.
rschroeder1
Footballguy
For now at least, have to have some faith in Ben Johnson that he knows what he's doing here. On the other hand, the NFL is littered with coaches and GMs obsessed with "their guys." Time will tell.I suspect both will be resigned if they are playing at a reasonable level. I also wonder if Jackson will be penciled in as the starting OC and we draft an OG with one of the 2nd round picks.A 2025 6th and a 2026 4th does not seem like too bad a price to pay for some stability on the offensive line.
The cap hit on Jackson seems a bit unclear. Jonathan Wood reporting its 11.8 million for '25 and '26, but Spotrac says 17.5/17 million the next two years.
Jonah Jackson | NFL Contracts & Salaries | Spotrac.com
Jonah Jackson signed a 3 year, $51,000,000 contract with the Los Angeles Rams, including $4,250,000 signing bonus, $34,000,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $17,000,000. In 2025, Jackson will earn a base salary of $9,000,000 and a roster bonus of $8,500,000, while carrying a cap...
With Thuney's contract up after this year and Jackson a cut after '25 with no or limited dead cap (depending on the source), it feels like the Bears still need to go O-line heavy in the draft. Though D-line is probably the #1 focus.
He struggled at C for the Rams. Pro Bowl G back in ‘21 for the Lions but only played 4 g last year - most of the second half of the season he was a healthy scratch.
BobbyLayne
Footballguy
Jonah is a solid run blocker. Not sure why the Rams soured on him so quickly after giving him 3/$51m. Was hurt early, didn’t play well at C, then became persona non grata. Still young, if he stays healthy he’ll be a plus starter.
ZWK
Footballguy
I checked with the OTC guys on Twitter and they say that the $17.5M + $17M is correct. Jackson's contract was structured weirdly so it didn't really fit in the standard table format on OTC & Spotrac.The cap hit on Jackson seems a bit unclear. Jonathan Wood reporting its 11.8 million for '25 and '26, but Spotrac says 17.5/17 million the next two years.
Jonah Jackson | NFL Contracts & Salaries | Spotrac.com
Jonah Jackson signed a 3 year, $51,000,000 contract with the Los Angeles Rams, including $4,250,000 signing bonus, $34,000,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $17,000,000. In 2025, Jackson will earn a base salary of $9,000,000 and a roster bonus of $8,500,000, while carrying a cap...
With Thuney's contract up after this year and Jackson a cut after '25 with no or limited dead cap (depending on the source), it feels like the Bears still need to go O-line heavy in the draft. Though D-line is probably the #1 focus.
Details: Jackson has a $8.5M gtd roster bonus due this month that was being treated as a signing bonus for cap purposes (so 1/3 of it hit the Rams' cap list year, 1/3 was scheduled to hit the LAR cap this year, and 1/3 next year). But since he got traded, the Bears are paying the full $8.5M and it all counts on the Bears' cap (so LAR gets the $2.83M cap hit from last year returned). So if the Bears cut him after this season, they're out $17.5M - that $8.5M roster bonus plus his $9M base salary for this year. And if CHI keeps him next year, that'll be an additional $17M (an $8M 2026 roster bonus which is not guaranteed plus $9M in 2026 base salary).
ZWK
Footballguy
I like the Thuney trade much more than the Jackson trade. Thuney has been a much better player, and he's cheaper for this year ($16M vs. $17.5M).
Jackson is a few years younger and comes with a team option for 2026 (for $17M), and he cost a later pick (rd 6 vs. rd 4), but that seems way less important than getting a good guard vs. an averageish guard.
Jackson is a few years younger and comes with a team option for 2026 (for $17M), and he cost a later pick (rd 6 vs. rd 4), but that seems way less important than getting a good guard vs. an averageish guard.
rschroeder1
Footballguy
Given Jackson is at age 28, a restructure/extension may be in line to alleviate that cap hit.I checked with the OTC guys on Twitter and they say that the $17.5M + $17M is correct. Jackson's contract was structured weirdly so it didn't really fit in the standard table format on OTC & Spotrac.The cap hit on Jackson seems a bit unclear. Jonathan Wood reporting its 11.8 million for '25 and '26, but Spotrac says 17.5/17 million the next two years.
Jonah Jackson | NFL Contracts & Salaries | Spotrac.com
Jonah Jackson signed a 3 year, $51,000,000 contract with the Los Angeles Rams, including $4,250,000 signing bonus, $34,000,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $17,000,000. In 2025, Jackson will earn a base salary of $9,000,000 and a roster bonus of $8,500,000, while carrying a cap...
With Thuney's contract up after this year and Jackson a cut after '25 with no or limited dead cap (depending on the source), it feels like the Bears still need to go O-line heavy in the draft. Though D-line is probably the #1 focus.
Details: Jackson has a $8.5M gtd roster bonus due this month that was being treated as a signing bonus for cap purposes (so 1/3 of it hit the Rams' cap list year, 1/3 was scheduled to hit the LAR cap this year, and 1/3 next year). But since he got traded, the Bears are paying the full $8.5M and it all counts on the Bears' cap (so LAR gets the $2.83M cap hit from last year returned). So if the Bears cut him after this season, they're out $17.5M - that $8.5M roster bonus plus his $9M base salary for this year. And if CHI keeps him next year, that'll be an additional $17M (an $8M 2026 roster bonus which is not guaranteed plus $9M in 2026 base salary).
Ministry of Pain
Footballguy
Good job getting some help on the OL, didn't have to trade that much, Thune is a steal and should help solidify the interior
Be a good year to get one of the more dynamic RBs to take advantage of a beefed up IOL that should open some big holes in the run game
That should take major stress off Williams and allow him to get some actual play action and hit some guys down field
-The LT/RT are most crucial in the passing game, how are those two spots looking? Is that a position Chicago might use on a Draft pick in the 1st or 2nd?
Where do you all want the Bears to be aiming?
Be a good year to get one of the more dynamic RBs to take advantage of a beefed up IOL that should open some big holes in the run game
That should take major stress off Williams and allow him to get some actual play action and hit some guys down field
-The LT/RT are most crucial in the passing game, how are those two spots looking? Is that a position Chicago might use on a Draft pick in the 1st or 2nd?
Where do you all want the Bears to be aiming?
InDitkaWeTrust
Footballguy
To your question, both B Jones and D Wright grade above average at the tackle spots. Both are young, on rookie deals. The Bears probably need more quality depth at OT. The IOL was the glaring issue for 2024. If the Bears can secure a quality OC like Dalman or draft a guy like Jared Wilson or Jonah Monheim in the 2nd/3rd, I would be much more inclined to consider taking a RB, maybe Hampton(?) in the 2nd. That said, this is a deep DT draft and if the Bears can get a 3 technique DT early on as well as a strong Edge, I'm all for it. The RB depth in this draft has me thinking that maybe we prioritize Edge and DT and get a RB in the 3rd or 5th.
calcinorjones
Footballguy
I sure hope these are plan B or plan C OL moves. They need better quality younger prospects. We have seen the plug and pray OL strategy with guys that used to be studs or guys that might work out. Maybe coming off of injury w potential. This line was a sack machine lover’s dream come true. Go to the draft, maybe sign Dalman fix this thing and stop foxing around. We need quality not bargains that might work out. Bears top 3 picks are there to solve line issues both sides of the ball. This is a long term foundational approach.
Deranged Hermit
Not cool & Pissed
Lions Release DE Za’Darius Smith
Man, I don't get this at all. Chicago should make a run at him for sure.
Man, I don't get this at all. Chicago should make a run at him for sure.
InDitkaWeTrust
Footballguy
I dunno. He's a 32YO Edge rusher who was traded to Detroit when AH went down. Doesn't seem like he's lost a step yet, but I'd rather put the same $$ into a longer term contract for a younger player. I've said this before, but CHI isn't an Edge rusher away from competing. Smart money management and building the IOL and IDL are essential for this team.
I kinda doubt Smith will be all that expensive. I'm not sure same $$$ for younger player exists, unless that younger player is substantially less talented than Smith.
InDitkaWeTrust
Footballguy
Bears sign Dalman
bsky.app
Dianna Russini (@diannarussini.bsky.social)
The Bears are signing C Drew Dalman to a three-year, $42 million deal with $28 million guaranteed.
bsky.app
calcinorjones
Footballguy
Bears pull trigger on Dalman
- C Drew Dalman: Agreed to a three-year, $42 million contract with $28 million guaranteed. (Ian Rapoport)
calcinorjones
Footballguy
Bears best be served to take best OT unless one of the stud DT drops which is unlikely
InDitkaWeTrust
Footballguy
It definitely gives the Bears the flexibility to draft BPA, although I don't think they will draft Jeanty even if he's available. Too many holes to fill for a RB to be taken. I'd prefer us to get a top Edge / DT if one falls.
That's almost the exact contract I thought he'd get, thought maybe it'd be 4 years instead. I don't love the Jackson trade, but Dalman and Thuney are big upgrades.Bears sign Dalman
Dianna Russini (@diannarussini.bsky.social)
The Bears are signing C Drew Dalman to a three-year, $42 million deal with $28 million guaranteed.
Sunday Gravy
Footballguy
Wow I have to give it to Poles. He's having a great run here.
ericttspikes
Footballguy
Man, I dunno. Things are definitely setting up for taking Jeanty if there. Right or wrong, it's a Ben Johnson-y thing to do.
I don't really want Jeanty there either, but I WOULD be really excited about any back taken in the first 4 picks. I'm trying to put myself in Ben Johnson's shoes and figure out what he wants this offense to look like. An investment in RB after all of this change to the OL could mean he envisions a run-first offense, which I would love. Giving Caleb 2 and 5 regularly could make this offense lethal. Detroit's willingness to rely on the groud game opened up so much for Jared Goff and company; I think Caleb could take it to a different level.
If he is the second coming of Sweetness, or even Ladainian Tomlinson, I will really enjoy having him on the team. If, however, he busts, I will be the first in line to curse Ryan Poles for ignoring positional value. My hypocrisy knows no bounds.................
He'll have to make it past Vegas.
InDitkaWeTrust
Footballguy
Right. Which I don't think happens.
InDitkaWeTrust
Footballguy
My top 5 for pick #10 are as follows:
1. Mason Graham DT
2. Jalon Walker Edge
3. Armand Membou OT
4. Shemar Stuart DT
5. Trade down
1. Mason Graham DT
2. Jalon Walker Edge
3. Armand Membou OT
4. Shemar Stuart DT
5. Trade down
Deranged Hermit
Not cool & Pissed
'Eff yeah!
ZWK
Footballguy
The Bears have replaced 4 of the 5 starters they lost:
FA G Teven Jenkins -> traded for Jonah Jackson (2 yr, $34.5M)
FA G Matt Pryor -> traded for Joe Thuney (1 yr, $16M)
FA C Coleman Shelton -> signed Drew Dalman (3 yr, $42M)
cut EDGE DeMarcus Walker -> signed Dayo Odeyingbo (3 yr, $48M)
FA WR Keenan Allen -> ???
Could also still use a rotational EDGE, a rotational DT, an upgrade at HB, an upgrade at CB2, OL depth, WR depth, and LB depth.
FA G Teven Jenkins -> traded for Jonah Jackson (2 yr, $34.5M)
FA G Matt Pryor -> traded for Joe Thuney (1 yr, $16M)
FA C Coleman Shelton -> signed Drew Dalman (3 yr, $42M)
cut EDGE DeMarcus Walker -> signed Dayo Odeyingbo (3 yr, $48M)
FA WR Keenan Allen -> ???
Could also still use a rotational EDGE, a rotational DT, an upgrade at HB, an upgrade at CB2, OL depth, WR depth, and LB depth.
Deranged Hermit
Not cool & Pissed
Got Grady Jarrett too. Very nice start to FA so far.
calcinorjones
Footballguy
These two defensive moves feel like the same concept Poles has taken with the OG moves. These are players that come with risk. Dalman is definitely the crown jewel so far in FA. Hopefully the other moves pay off but have to think if there is regression no one should be surprised. Draft is going to be very interesting.
InDitkaWeTrust
Footballguy
The difference is that these are additions to an already solid defense. Risks can be taken/absorbed. In contrast, the OL was a trainwreck where the Bears couldn't afford to take risks. I like the moves on both sides of the ball this year. Seems to me Poles is learning / adjusting his concept.
Sunday Gravy
Footballguy
I need someone to talk me into why this was a better option than Josh Sweat.
3nOut
Footballguy
Because Sweat signed with Arizona instead and cost $76.4 million ($41M guaranteed)? Odeyingbo is also two years younger. Having two sweats would be too confusing? Dayo is much more fun to say? Take your pick.
calcinorjones
Footballguy
For the defense FAs - want to put trust in DA to leverage the skill set and strategy. Health and production can be had using these guys effectively. Biggest problem w the defense was stopping the run so backfilling that DT spot in the draft with a difference maker is key for me. Maybe one of the DTs will slide. Drafts get crazy in the top 12.
calcinorjones
Footballguy
Anyone know the tally on cap after today’s moves and how much more Poles can spend?
InDitkaWeTrust
Footballguy
Agreed. While I like the Grady Jarrett signing (and we've needed a true 3 tech for a few years now) I'd expect the Bears to draft at least 1 in the first two rounds. Poles is really set to take BPA at 10 or draft down if there's opportunity.
Sunday Gravy
Footballguy
Not working.
3/48 with 32 guaranteed
4/76 with 41 guaranteed
No comparison in player production. I'm not going to let this dampen my excitement over the O-line but this could be a big whiff on D. Seems like we aren't willing to go over 3 years on anything. Maybe that's why?
Sunday Gravy
Footballguy
We're in great position now to take our future franchise LT at 10. I'd be happy with Campbell or Simmons.
calcinorjones
Footballguy
I agree and with two more picks in the second round this can set up the organization for years.
InDitkaWeTrust
Footballguy
Membou is my current favorite. I feel like Campbell is more of a OG and Simmons is coming off an ACL tear in 2024. Honestly, though, I'm not sure any of the high draft pick tackles project out to a true franchise LT.
calcinorjones
Footballguy
I like Banks and Membou. BPA might be trade down to land Membou with first but we saw last year was more caution w teams trading up and giving the haul. At 10 there probably isn’t going to be a haul but solid future draft capital. Interesting spot.
