Free Agency Buzz Surrounding Bears

With the most money available, the Bears can start free agency fast and Sunday there were rumors around the league of various types providing directional signs.

The rumor mill churned out possibilities without substance in most cases on Sunday, a day before the Bears enter free agency with the NFL's biggest wallet even after taking on D.J. Moore's contract.

The start of fee agency begins at 11 a.m. with a negotiating period that runs until Wednesday at 3 p.m., when the new league year begins and contract signings can become official.

The anticipation is building among Bears fans even as they continue to laud the trade by GM Ryan Poles, and also treat former Bears coach Lovie Smith as a saint for making it all possible with a win in his final game as Houston coach.

Here are situations floating around regarding the Bears

David Montgomery's Status

At this point it probably goes without saying but a report by ESPN's Jeremy Fowler said it anyway.

Running back David Montgomery will likely enter free agency even though the team would like to keep him.

Montgomery remained unsigned a day before the negotiating period begins.

"That's something that we'll see how that goes and if we can find common ground," Poles had said about talks during the offseason.

So apparently the Bears couldn't find the common ground sought with Montgomery.

For Montgomery, it's the best course at this point because he has been placed atop the running back free agency charts right alongside Miles Sanders by actions of the past week.

When Saquon Barkley, Anthony Pollard and Josh Jacobs received franchise tags, it left Sanders and Montgomery the next-best available backs. Anyone in that position should be trying to seek out their actual value in the market unless their own team is forthcoming with desired big cash.

The disappointing truth for Montgomery, Sanders, Jamaal Williams and other free agent backs is no team is coming up with cash for running backs and the reason they are at the top of the chart now proves it. 

The only reason Jacobs, Barkley and Pollard are franchised is because the franchise tag is so low right now for running backs that it makes total sense from the team's standpoint to put it on them. All three are at the $10.091 million level.

NFL DRAFT BIBLE TRACKS THE PRO DAYS

The only position level lower than running back now is $5.4 millon for special teams players like punters or kickers. The next closest is $11.34 million for tight ends and $14.46 million for safeties.

Montgomery last year had a cap figure of $3.05 million.

Spotrac.com had projected a $7.2 million/year market value for Montgomery's next contract while PFF is less optimistic at $6.5 million. The PFF assessment pointed out he has made only 21 runs of 15 yards or more since coming into the league in 2019, which ranks 39th.

On the other hand, they admit his 185 forced missed tackles is fifth most over the past four seasons.

The Bears just lost $20.165 million from their cap space for 2023 when they completed the trade involving D.J. Moore, an amount that actually goes down by $4.115 million for the last two years of his deal in 2024 and 2025 according to Overthecap.com.

Center of Attention

According to another ESPN report, Colts center Ryan Kelly is available for trade. An announcement of this type only hours before free agency usually means a team intends to release a player.

The 29-year-old, eight-year veteran made the Pro Bowl from 2019-21.

Any Colts player will automatically be a player with Bears interest attached because Bears coach Matt Eberlus had been in Indianapolis four seasons, and in this case when Kelly was enjoying his greatest success.

It's possible the Bears would upgrade at center but they still have Lucas Patrick who didn't really get a chance to play last year due to injuries, and second-year player Doug Kramer, who also was injured all year. Starter Sam Mustipher is a restricted free agent.

More Line Talk

While the signing of Mike McGlinchey at right tackle seems a possibility for the Bears, Kansas City never franchise-tagged left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. and is all but certain to be a player the Bears consider.

 

#Bears Free Agency Wishlist for tomorrow:

- DL Dre’Mont Jones
- OT Jawaan Taylor
- OT Mike McGlinchey
- LB Bobby Okereke
- C Garrett Bradbury
- DL Zach Allen
- OT Orlando Brown

If Poles could land 3 of the guys listed above tomorrow, that would be a good day.

— 🐻 (@ChiCity3451) March 13, 2023

Brown's salary and demands to play left tackle might be the stumbling blocks here, since Braxton Jones had a strong rookie year at left tackle for the Bears.

Linebacker Search

Colts linebacker Bobby Okereke is a free agent and Indianapolis Star writer Joel A. Erickson reported it seems likely the team will let him leave because they have several other linebackers and are tight against the cap.

Okereke would be an ideal Bears addition because he knows the defense and also played weakside linebacker, a problem spot in the defense last year.

Pass Rush Help

Denver cornerback Ronald Darby, guard Graham Glasgow and running back Chase Edmonds were released Friday in salary cap moves but speculation has built the Broncos would not be able to retain defensive line free agent Dre'Mont Jones, a player of possible interest to the Bears when negotiations start. 

Jones' ability to pass rush from three technique or end would likely be a real asset for  the Bears in their scheme.  

The Broncos decided not to tag him and pay $19.7 million, and it's unclear whether he'll command that type of cash.

Possible Defections

Linebacker Nicholas Morrow gave a good account of himself last year when forced to play two positions but appears to be a player who could be headed out of town. According to ESPN contributor and Browns reporter Brad Stainbrook, the Browns have Morrow "on their radar."

Divisonal Breaks

The Bears benefited from one trade made Sunday and continue to look like beneficiaries of another coming trade.

After rumors Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey would be traded to Detroit, he was instead traded to Miami.

Getting Ramsey would have eliminated one great Lions defensive weakness in pass coverage.

The other pending trade is the Packers sending Aaron Rodgers to the Jets, but it hasn't been finalized as Rodgers hasn't agreed to go.

An NFC North without Rodgers could be a more wide-open race than there has been in years.

We've been busy...@hyundai | #1920FootballDr

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) March 13, 2023

Twitter: BearDigest@BearsOnMaven