Positive Free Agency Grades for Bears, Secondary Overhaul, Rodgers Value, and Other Bullets

Good morning, all …

  • After entering free agency with high hopes, Bleacher Report’s Chris Roling grades the Bears on their offseason efforts so far. The grades are surprisingly positive, with no move receiving a letter grade lower than a ‘B’ by Roling’s scale. Moves such as allowing Alshon Jeffery to walk, rebuilding the secondary with new faces, and signing Mike Glennon all receive passing grades. The basis for much of Roling’s grading is a belief that the Bears made a strategic decision to sign players only where they could get short-term deals that did not hamstring the team down the road (as opposed to simply signing the best players they could find to the most significant deals). Of course, things can change as time progresses – and we truly won’t know how to grade free agency until after the draft. But at least one writer thinks the Bears made some moves to put the team in the right direction.
  • [adinserter block=”1″]

  • If Mike Glennon is worth an average salary upward of $14.5 million, what is Aaron Rodgers worth? Neil Greenberg of the Washington Post does the hard work in finding out the value of Rodgers and other elite NFL quarterbacks. Based on Glennon’s production and salary, Greenberg estimates Rodgers was worth $57.5 million in 2016. Even then, Rodgers wouldn’t even be the most valuable by Greenberg’s standards based on performance in 2016. That distinction goes to Matt Ryan, whose MVP season in 2016 would have been worth $61.8 million on the open market. Quarterbacks are going to get paid on the open market, it’s unavoidable. But based on these calculations and estimations, there is a clear distinction between the cream of the crop and the rest of the also-rans. Good luck finding a quarterback that is more of the former and less of the latter.
  • It has been a week since the Bears cut ties with quarterback Jay Cutler. As we step back from the Cutler era to observe and reflect on the eight years, we might eventually come to the conclusion that he might have been the best and most disappointing quarterback in franchise history. Over at the Chicago Tribune, Dan Wiederer offers up why eight years of Cutler’s reign was enough. Wiederer’s piece details the highs and lows, and why a breakup took this long to begin with, among other angles.
  • Surely former Bears starts Brian Urlacher, Lance Briggs and Peanut Tillman were each due to chime in on the Jay Cutler situation and how they felt about the Bears’ new signal caller, and they did here at the Sun-Times. Tillman would like to see Mike Glennon not try to live up to the hype or try to be better than Cutler. Just be himself. Briggs keeps his eyes on the long-term future, but suggests Glennon will feel the pressure of his contract – and that his expectations for himself should be higher than anyone else’s expectations for him. And Urlacher believes the quarterback embracing the city would be the best way to get any fans on the fence to be on your side. In any case, Urlacher, Briggs, and Tillman will be watching closely how it all shakes out. You can see more from the trio here, including their take on the “roller coaster” that was Cutler’s time with the Bears.
  • [adinserter block=”2″]

  • John Mullin’s latest at CSN Chicago breaks down GM Ryan Pace’s much-needed overhaul of the secondary. It was getting done one way or another, so the Bears decided to follow the path of spending a lot in short-term guarantees on players who they felt were on the cusp rather than go all in on Stephon Gilmore (a Pro Bowl alternate who played on a team that wasn’t statistically great against the pass) or A.J. Bouye (a one-year starter whose best work came in a contract year). Either way, the Bears entered free agency knowing the best way to supplement their roster was through the draft, where they can acquire the high-upside players they missed on in free agency without paying the premium prices.
  • 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 Schedule: Dates and Times for All 17 Games, Tough or Easy Strength of Schedule, Record Prediction

    The Chicago Bears are gearing up for an exciting 2024 NFL season with a revamped roster and a favorable schedule. The Chicago Bears schedule has a mix of unique opponents this year. With the addition of Caleb Williams as the...

    Northwestern Returns to Wrigley Field TWICE This Fall

    Northwestern will be making a return to Wrigley Field not just once this season, but twice! Due to the construction of their brand new football stadium, the Cats will be playing five of their seven home games at its temporary...

    LOL: The Chargers Turned Justin Fields into a Sims Character

    With all due respect to the Chicago Bears, the Los Angeles Chargers always have the best schedule-release videos. Every year, the Chargers thread the needle between hilarious and unhinged with their NFL schedule drop vids. Of course, this year was...

    The Chicago Bears 2024 Schedule is HERE (Dates, Times, More)

    Caleb Williams, DJ Moore, Cole Kmet, Rome Odunze, Kyler Gordon, and Teven Jenkins are among the Chicago Bears players who took starring roles in the team's 2024 schedule release video drop. Here it is in all of its glory: The...

    The 2024 Chicago Bears Schedule Has Leaked — Here’s What You Need to Know

    In a series of tweets, the Tribune's Brad Biggs shared the upcoming Chicago Bears schedule for the 2024 season. Nothing is officially official just yet. And it won't be until the league drops its official announcement at 7 p.m. CT....

    It Looks Like the Bears and Lions Will Square Off on Thanksgiving Again

    Chicago Bears fans should prepare to spend Thanksgiving with Caleb Williams and friends. That is because the Chicago Bears are expected to hit the road for a Thanksgiving showdown against the Detroit Lions. Reporter Ari Meirov, who covers the NFL...

    Here’s When Caleb Williams Will Reportedly Make His Soldier Field Debut

    It's not official yet, but we do have a report of when Caleb Williams might be making his first Soldier Field start as a Chicago Bear. NFL Insider Jordan Schultz reported on X today that the Bears will be opening...

    The Latest “Hard Knocks” Announcement Does Not Mean the Bears Are Off the Hook for 2024

    I don't know about you, but when I first read news that the Giants had been selected for Hard Knocks, I let out a sigh of relief. I'd like to see the Bears do Hard Knocks eventually, but I didn't...

    NFL Schedule Release Day! And Other Bears Bullets

    Happy NFL schedule release day to those who observe. We already know the time, date, place, and opponent for *ONE* of the Chicago Bears' 17 games: https://twitter.com/BN_Bears/status/1790709262013886544 It'll be an 8:30 a.m. CT start in Chicago for Bears fans watching...

    London’s Calling: Bears and Jaguars Are Going International in 2024

    The wait is over. We now know who the Chicago Bears will be playing in London. As fate would have it, it is a team that is no stranger to international travel. The Jacksonville Jaguars are set to be the...

    Latest News

    Phillies vs. Mets Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, May 16, 2024

    The Philadelphia Phillies (31-13) will vie for their fourth straight victory when they host the New York Mets (19-23) on Thursday at 6:40 PM ET on MLB Network. The Phillies are listed as -144 favorites by bookmakers, while the Mets...

    Red Sox vs. Rays Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, May 16, 2024

    Thursday's matchup between the Boston Red Sox (22-21) and Tampa Bay Rays (22-22) could go either way, as sportsbooks have declared the game a pick 'em (both teams are even on the moneyline). Action gets underway from Fenway Park at...

    Cubs vs. Pirates Probable Starting Pitchers – May 16

    The Chicago Cubs (25-19) and the Pittsburgh Pirates (19-25) square off at Wrigley Field on Thursday at 7:40 PM ET, starting a four-game series.The probable starters are Justin Steele for the Cubs and Jared Jones (2-4) for the Pirates.Cubs vs....

    Astros vs. Athletics Probable Starting Pitchers – May 16

    The Oakland Athletics (19-26), who lost their previous four games, take on the Houston Astros (18-25) at Minute Maid Park on Thursday. First pitch is at 8:10 PM ET.The probable pitchers are Cristian Javier (2-1) for the Astros and Joey...

    Detroit Lions Schedule: Dates and Times for All 17 Games, Strength of Schedule, Record Prediction

    The Lions are ready for a new season after blowing a 17-point lead in the second half of the NFC Championship game to the 49ers. After a solid draft, they look to reach the Super Bowl in 2024. Check out...

    Phillies vs. Mets Probable Starting Pitchers – May 16

    After winning their past three games, the Philadelphia Phillies (31-13) host the New York Mets (19-23) at Citizens Bank Park on Thursday at 6:40 PM ET.The Phillies will call on Taijuan Walker (3-0) against the Mets and Jose Quintana (1-4).Phillies...

    Red Sox vs. Rays Probable Starting Pitchers – May 16

    The Boston Red Sox (22-21) have a home game at Fenway Park against the Tampa Bay Rays (22-22) at 7:10 PM ET on Thursday.This contest's pitching matchup is set, as the Red Sox will send Cooper Criswell (2-1) to the...

    Green Bay Packers Schedule: Dates and Times for All 17 Games, Strength of Schedule, Record Prediction

    Jordan Love and the Green Bay Packers caught the attention of NFL fans in the playoffs last season and hope to build on that success. What will they do this year? Check out their full schedule, record prediction, and more...

    Pittsburgh Steelers Schedule: Dates and Times for All 17 Games, Strength of Schedule, Record Prediction

    Despite being horrible on offense in 2023, the Steelers finished 10-7 and reached the playoffs before losing to the Buffalo Bills in the NFL Wild Card round. They then made plenty of noise in the offseason signing Russell Wilson and...

    Philadelphia Eagles Schedule: Dates and Times for All 17 Games, Strength of Schedule, Record Prediction

    The Eagles were bounced in a blowout loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2023 and are moving to 2024 with hopes of getting back to the Super Bowl. Their full NFL schedule is out for this fall. Let's take...

    more bears news