Free Agent Hunting Season Is Upon Us and Other Bullets
The first of my four fantasy baseball drafts is on Thursday and I have a ton of prep work to do I go on the clock holding the third overall pick. I don’t plan on trading up, but there are some guys who could be worth it to my team if I were to make that move.
- This is all the motivation I needed to start my Monday:
I made a promise to be great at whatever I’m doing in life…NO MATTER what it is.
— Danny Trevathan (@Grindin_59) March 10, 2019
- Danny Trevathan is the most underrated Bears defender. He racks up tackles as he covers all sorts of ground, gets in the backfield and collects tackles-for-loss like it’s a hobby, can make plays on balls in the air, and even picked up some sacks and QB hits along the way. ANd yet, he flies under the radar because of all the other talent around him. Trevathan enters the final year of his contract having provided what was expected when he signed with the Bears in 2016 – strength and stability in the middle of the defense.
- Trevathan signed a four-year deal worth $28 million that included $15.5 million in total guarantees. Player/organization/scheme fit matter. And Trevathan was the right player, at the right price, for the right team, in a perfect fit. Neither side could ask more out of a situation. There are times where the best move isn’t the one that makes the biggest splash or costs the most money. Keep that in mind as we enter the free agency period that opens up today with the “legal tampering’ period.
- Speaking of money, the Bears moved some around and created a little bit more breathing room:
Source: in advance of free agency, the Bears have created $2.25M in cap space by converting the $3M roster bonus due to DT Eddie Goldman this Friday into a signing bonus. Extra money to work with.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) March 11, 2019
- Using OverTheCap’s most recent estimation (as of the start of this post) and tacking on the $2.25 million created by the conversion of a roster bonus into a signing bonus on Eddie Goldman’s deal, the Bears now have $19,719,341 in available cap space. Every bit helps!
- Free agency primers and storylines to keep an eye on (Tribune, Sun-Times, NBC Sports Chicago) give us an idea of what to look for as things open up today.
- And with that, the Bears are no longer in the bottom-10 of tightest cap spots:
And the 10 teams tightest to the cap, as of this AM …
1) Bucs $2.374M
2) Saints $3.673M
3) Vikings $4.264M
4) Falcons $5.992M
5) Chiefs $8.280M
6) Steelers $9.252M
7) Eagles $15.586M
8) Panthers $15.707M
9) Redskins $16.615M
10) Ravens $16.773M— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 11, 2019
- The folks at SB Nation’s NFL outfit have fixes for the biggest offseason needs for each of the NFL’s 32 teams. Surprisingly, the kicker needs take a back seat to other positions. Based on the advanced data used to analyze the Bears’ situation, the conclusion is that the Bears could use some fresh bodies and an upgrade at skill-position spots such as wide receiver and running back. There is also a suggestion to look into this year’s crop of free agent offensive tackles, even though the Bears already handled that issue by re-signing Bobby Massie.
- In a free agency preview that’s more in line with our expectations, NFL.com’s Chris Wesseling lists defensive back, running back, and kicker as the Bears’ biggest needs. Finding a starter to team with Eddie Jackson and/or a cornerback to fill the slot are at the top of Chicago’s offseason wish list. After that, rounding out the running backs room might look like a luxury, but it’s one of those needs that’s sneaky important. As for the kicker, well, we don’t really need to walk that beaten path once more – do we?
- Something to root for if the Bears don’t bring back Adrian Amos:
I personally hope Adrian Amos gets a HUGE deal from whatever team signs him. Judging by this year's comp picks, $8M+ gets you a 4th rounder & $11M+ gets a 3rd. #Bears
— Aaron Leming (@AaronLemingNFL) March 11, 2019
- Get that money, good sir!
- And if it comes from an old friend in Vic Fangio, then everyone can get together for the reunion when these teams play this upcoming season:
Free agency starts at 10 am. Who will #Broncos land? I expect them to chase some big name targets, including safety Adrian Amos #Denver7
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) March 11, 2019
- This could be viewed as a make-or-break free agency class for two teams on the Bears’ list of 2019 opponents, according to NFL Network Senior Analyst Gil Brandt. Let’s keep an eye on what the Lions do moving forward. They signed wide receiver Danny Amendola in their latest attempt to re-create a Patriots-like environment without Bill Belichick or Tom Brady.
- Just some ’tis the season fun:
Duck season ❌
Rabbit season ❌
“Legal tampering” season ✅ pic.twitter.com/yisgB9vk96— Bleacher Nation Bears (@BN_Bears) March 11, 2019
- The Cardinals didn’t treat the most important position in the game with much care last year:
The Cardinals last offseason spent $20 million to bring in Sam Bradford and Mike Glennon, and spent their first-round pick, third-round pick and fifth-round pick to move up for Josh Rosen. Bradford is long gone, Glennon is gone today, and Rosen may get traded before the draft.
— Michael David Smith (@MichaelDavSmith) March 8, 2019
- I don’t know how I’d travel had I not received Brett’s recommendation for the amazing backpack he uses for his travels. So when he also sings the praises for an electronic toothbrush he uses that happens to be part of Amazon’s Deals of the Day, I’m intrigued. Add it to my cart!
