Bears Signings and Free Agents, Combine Standout Quarterbacks, and Other Bullets

The NFL Scouting Combine is ongoing, with top defensive prospects taking the stage today. Until then, Bullets …

  • In addition to re-signing quarterback Connor Shaw, the Bears have also re-signed long snapper Patrick Scales to a one-year deal. Scales, 29, appeared in all 16 games for the Bears last year after first joining the team in 2015.
  • With those two now under contract, and earlier having re-signed guard Eric Kush, the Bears project to have 25 free agents when free agency opens up, 17 of whom will be unrestricted free agents: WR Alshon Jeffery, WR Marquess Wilson, WR/KR Deonte Thompson, QB Brian Hoyer, QB Matt Barkley, guard Ted Larsen, tackle Mike Adams, OL Nick Becton, OL Matt McCants, OLB Sam Acho, TE Logan Paulsen, CB Jonathan Banks, CB Brandon Boykin, S Chris Prosinski, DE Cornelius Washington, NT C.J. Wilson, and K Connor Barth.
  • [adinserter block=”1″]

  • Players become free agents on Tuesday, March 7 at 3pm CT, and may begin negotiating with new teams, but they cannot sign with a new team until Thursday, March 9 at 3pm CT. Yes, you can expect a crazy week ahead.
  • Meanwhile, the Combine is still underway, and many prospects are already standing out from the pack and improving their draft stock. Todd McShay runs down many of the Day Two standouts, including Clemson Deshaun Watson, who he says had the best day from the quarterbacks, demonstrating fluidity under center and good touch. Mitchell Trubisky (he goes by Mitchell now) also stood out to McShay, as did a wide receiver we’ve mentioned around here before, since the Bears’ coaching staff got to know him well at his breakout Senior Bowl: Zay Jones.
  • Watson and Trubisky, by the way, clocked the same impressive 40 time, at 4.67 seconds. You get the sense overall that, if any of the quarterbacks separated themselves from the pack this weekend, it was probably these two, though I have also seen very positive reviews for Patrick Mahomes (and Nathan Peterman, for that matter, though he’s still likely to top out in the second round, at the highest). Questions persist about DeShone Kizer, who had a mixed day, though everyone can still see the upside. That is to say, the Combine may prove only to keep us guessing at whether the teams at the top of the draft will tab a QB in late April, and how many QBs will go in the first round. Still quite a bit of time between now and then, including a free agency and trade period that could change things further.
  • Bucky Brooks offered his take on Combine Day Two, also offering praise for Watson, and noting that Ole Miss tight end Evan Engram turned heads with his athleticism. It’s starting to look like the draft will have no fewer than three very high-end tight ends (Engram, Alabama’s O.J. Howard, and Miami’s David Njoku), as well as a ton of quality depth thereafter (and a high-risk, high-reward injury comeback in Michigan’s Jake Butt). That’s good news for the Bears, who’ll likely hope to land an impact tight end at some point after the first round.
  • [adinserter block=”2″]

  • Both write ups also – obviously! – mentioned this guy:
  • That’s Washington wide receiver John Ross breaking Chris Johnson’s longstanding Combine 40-yard dash record, which had stood since 2008. Obviously speed isn’t the only thing that matters for a wide receiver, but, hey, all else equal, you’d love to have a burner. Ross probably cemented himself as one of the first wide receivers off the board in April. Clemson’s Mike Williams is still probably at the top of the class (he’s waiting to do his 40 at his pro day), but Ross is gonna get some helium now.
  • A report from the Washington Post indicates that the perception of the Washington Redskins organization at the Combine is that it is in “disarray,” with agents and other teams not entirely sure who is calling the shots or what the direction for the organization will be.
  • [adinserter block=”3″]

  • The Raiders’ possible move to Las Vegas isn’t dead just yet, with a new champion apparently helping the cause:
  •  

    written by

    Luis C. Medina, who you can find on Twitter at lcm1986, has been covering the Chicago Bears at Bleacher Nation since 2017. Since then, he has written about 3 head coaches, 5 play-callers, and 11 starting quarterbacks. Previously, Luis wrote about the Cubs and MLB at BN (2015-16) and worked in the Chicago Tribune sports department (2011-16). He also co-hosted a Cubs postgame show, Outside the Ivy, in 2019.

    more bears news

    Chicago Bears 2024 NFL Draft Fits: Defensive Linemen

    The 2024 NFL Draft begins Thursday. Chicago Bears General Manager Ryan Poles, Assistant GM Ian Cunningham, Head Coach Matt Eberflus, and others will put their heads together to come up with a winning plan for the team’s four picks (Nos....

    And Now Penei Sewell Has Signed a MASSIVE Extension With The Lions

    Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes is hard at work today! It's fitting that just a day before the 2024 NFL Draft kicks off in Detroit, the Lions have locked up two franchise, homegrown cornerstones just hours apart. This morning,...

    Take a Look at the New Chicago Bears Stadium Renderings

    The Chicago Bears unveiled plans for their downtown lakefront stadium proposal on Wednesday. And as you might expect, it is very kind on the eyes: https://twitter.com/ChicagoBears/status/1783185834490888461 The Bears even gave the project a code name — The Burnham Park Project: The...

    Amon-Ra St. Brown Signs MASSIVE Extention With Lions

    We have a new highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL! According to a report from NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport, the Lions have made Amon-Ra St. Brown the richest wideout in the NFL with a four-year, $120 million contract extension...

    Chicago Bears 2024 NFL Draft Fits: Offensive Linemen

    The 2024 NFL Draft begins Thursday. Chicago Bears General Manager Ryan Poles, Assistant GM Ian Cunningham, Head Coach Matt Eberflus, and others will put their heads together to come up with a winning plan for the team’s four picks (Nos....

    Stadium Stuff, Rome and Caleb, New Bears Hires, and Other Bears Bullets

    The 2024 NFL Draft is just one day away. Soon, we'll get to hear those magic words: "The Chicago Bears are on the clock." And they'll mean something! ICYMI: The Bears, who are set to have a press conference at...

    Ian Cunningham is Getting an Extension From the Bears

    Ian Cunningham is set to stick around for a little while longer. The Chicago Bears assistant general manager is getting some years tacked on to his contract, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. No details on how many more years are...

    The Bears Are Expected to Ask For Some Public Money For New Stadium

    If you have followed pro sports stadium projects in the past, then you probably are aware that taxpayers tend to end up footing a hearty chunk of the bill. And while the Chicago Bears have not yet made public their...

    Bears GM Ryan Poles Isn’t Necessarily Looking to Trade For More Draft Picks

    Ryan Poles has done well in creating a bevy of picks in each of his first two NFL Draft classes as Chicago Bears general manager. And even though the Bears have a league-low four picks in this week's NFL Draft,...

    Chicago Bears 7-Round Mock Draft: 4.0

    We’re just over 24 hours from the NFL Draft, and all I can say is finally. Finally, we’re done with the speculation. I’ll never forget the Bears Twitter Civil War of 2024 centered around the Caleb Williams vs. Justin Fields...

    Latest News

    Dodgers vs. Nationals Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, April 25, 2024

    The Los Angeles Dodgers (15-11) and Will Smith (four hits last time out) are favored (-199) on the moneyline for their matchup with the Washington Nationals (10-13) on Thursday at 4:05 PM ET on MLB Network.Los Angeles' Yoshinobu Yamamoto and...

    Enhanced Box Score: Cubs 4, Astros 3 – April 24, 2024

    The Cubs did all their scoring in the first, and made it stand up for the win with generally good pitching and generally good defense. Jameson Taillon looked solid again in his second start, locating well, giving up no barrels,...

    Mariners vs. Rangers Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, April 25, 2024

    The Seattle Mariners (12-12) visit the Texas Rangers (13-12) at 2:35 PM ET Thursday for a sluggers' duel between two of the best home-run hitters in baseball. Caleb Raleigh has racked up six homers this season (No. 9 in the...

    Padres vs. Rockies Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, April 25, 2024

    The San Diego Padres (14-13) are favorites (-150) on the moneyline when they take on the Colorado Rockies (6-19) Thursday at 3:10 PM ET, live on SDPA.Randy Vasquez will get the ball for San Diego while Colorado will counter with...

    Dodgers vs. Nationals Probable Starting Pitchers – April 25

    After winning three games in a row, the Los Angeles Dodgers (15-11) play on the road against the Washington Nationals (10-13) at 4:05 PM ET on Thursday.The probable starters are Yoshinobu Yamamoto (1-1) for the Dodgers and MacKenzie Gore (2-1)...

    Royals vs. Blue Jays Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, April 25, 2024

    The Kansas City Royals (15-10) are favored on the moneyline (-121) in Thursday's contest versus the Toronto Blue Jays (13-12). Game time is at 2:10 PM ET on SNET. The Blue Jays, with +168 odds, are favored against the spread...

    Astros vs. Cubs Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, April 25, 2024

    The Houston Astros (7-18) visit the Chicago Cubs (15-9) at 2:20 PM ET Thursday for a sluggers' duel between two of the best home-run hitters in baseball. Jose Altuve has racked up six homers this season (No. 9 in the...

    Best MLB Prop Bets Today, April 25, 2024

    The Boston Red Sox versus the Cleveland Guardians is a game to see on a Thursday MLB schedule that features 10 competitive contests.There are typically plenty of MLB player prop bets available for each and every matchup. Scroll down to...

    Padres vs. Rockies Probable Starting Pitchers – April 25

    The Colorado Rockies (6-19) face off against the San Diego Padres (14-13) at home on Thursday beginning at 3:10 PM ET.The probable starters are Randy Vasquez (0-1) for the Padres and Dakota Hudson (0-4) for the Rockies.Padres vs. Rockies Pitcher...

    Brewers vs. Pirates Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, April 25, 2024

    The Milwaukee Brewers (15-8) are set to take on the Pittsburgh Pirates (13-12) Thursday at 12:35 PM ET, airing on BSWI. The Brewers are listed as -128 favorites by sportsbooks, while the underdog Pirates have +107 odds for the contest.Freddy...

    more bears news