NFL Free Agency Roundup: Bellamy to N.Y., Lions to Sign All the Ex-Patriots, Honey Badger Chasing Ring, More

It’s been a long day around these parts, but if you haven’t caught up with the Bears’ most recent reported signings – cornerback Buster Skrine and running back Mike Davis – I would encourage you to do so while you have the time. You never know what news is coming next down the pipeline.

Here are some things that are happening elsewhere around the league.

  • The glue guy in the Bears’ locker room is taking his talents out east:
  • Wide receiver/special teams ace Joshua Bellamy is signing with the New York Jets. It’s a two-year pact that includes $2.75 million in guarantees. Not bad for a player who was at the end of the Bears’ depth chart playing on a low-round tender last season. After watching how Bellamy helped bring guys together on a rebuilding squad in Chicago, perhaps ex-Bears OCs Adam Gase and Dowell Loggains knew how valuable that could be for a Jets squad that would love to mimic what the Bears did last season. Both coaches have experience with Bellamy, who was one of the longest-tenured Bears before his departure. And while we’ll always have Club Dub, hopefully Bellamy leaves his playlist behind for the next-man-up.
  • Defensive backs are getting paiiiiiiiiiiiiid:
  • The Bears will see Tyrann Mathieu and his new teammates at some point during the 2019 season when the Chiefs come in to town. Kansas City’s secondary looks a bit tougher with the Honey Badger roaming back there than it did at the end of the postseason when Tom Brady was carving it up en route to an overtime win in the AFC Championship Game.
  • Meanwhile, one of the Bears’ NFC North rivals just loss a key member of their starting defense:
  • Anthony Barr was a solid linebacker in the Vikings’ 4-3 scheme, so I’ll be curious where he lines up in the Jets’ 3-4 defense. Perhaps he has some pass-rushing skills that went under-utilized in Minnesota. If so, then that’s a quality signing for a rebuilding Jets team.
  • Elsewhere in the division, the Lions have been ridiculously busy. In addition to signing wide receiver Danny Amendola before the “legal tampering” portion of free agency could begin, the team is reported to be in agreement with ex-Patriots pass-rusher Trey Flowers and former Steelers tight end Jesse James. Detroit has missed the postseason in each of the last two years, so aggressive spending was surely going to be something they’d do this week.
  • But hey, they’re not alone:
  • Cross Terrell Suggs off the list of potential reserve edge rushers who could be Bears fits:
  • It’s a home-coming of sorts for the 36-year-old Suggs, who played his college ball at Arizona State. Suggs was one of the most decorated defenders on the market. His résumé includes the following awards: 2003 AP Defensive Rookie of the Year, 2011 Defensive Player of the Year, seven Pro Bowl appearances, one first-team All-Pro nomination, and a Super Bowl ring. If Suggs isn’t headed to Canton as soon as he is eligible, something is wrong with the process.
  • Good thing the Bears have their slot cornerback situation under control:
  • Jackson represents a potential deep threat any time he is on the field. That’s the last thing the Eagles needed – more firepower.
  • Well, at least Nick Foles won’t be around to pick on the Bears’ secondary:
  • I understand that quarterback salaries are always going to have a larger-than-life feel to them, but who was bidding against the Jaguars to push Foles’ price to this stratosphere?
  • Seems like a good get for Buffalo:
  • 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

    Guardians vs. Red Sox: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

    Triston McKenzie takes the mound for the Cleveland Guardians (17-7) when they host starter Chase Anderson and the Boston Red Sox (14-11) at 1:10 PM ET on Thursday.Keep scrolling to find out all the details on how to watch Cleveland...

    Maple Leafs vs. Bruins NHL Playoffs First Round Game 4 Prediction: Picks, Live Odds and Moneyline – Saturday, April 27, 2024

    The bookmakers are expecting a close game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Boston Bruins when they meet on Saturday at 8:00 PM ET, with the Maple Leafs at -112 on the moneyline, and the Bruins at -108.Maple Leafs vs....

    Mariners vs. Rangers: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    On Thursday, looking for a series sweep, Caleb Raleigh and the Seattle Mariners (12-11) face Adolis Garcia and the Texas Rangers (12-12), with first pitch scheduled for 2:35 PM ET at Globe Life Field.If you're planning on watching this game,...

    How to Watch Padres vs. Rockies: Live Stream or on TV

    The San Diego Padres (13-13), with Randy Vasquez on the mound, visit the Colorado Rockies (6-18) who will counter with Dakota Hudson, at 3:10 PM ET on Thursday.If you're planning on watching this game, keep reading for TV and streaming...

    2024 Las Vegas Raiders Big Board: Potential First-Round Fits Including Tackle & Cornerback

    The desert heat is rising in Las Vegas, and so are the expectations for the Raiders. The 2024 NFL Draft is rapidly approaching, and the Silver and Black hold the 13th overall pick. Will they prioritize shoring up the offensive...

    Twins vs. White Sox: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    The Minnesota Twins (9-13), led by Ryan Jeffers, host Gavin Sheets and the Chicago White Sox (3-20) at 1:10 PM ET on Thursday.If you're intending to watch this game, keep reading for streaming and TV options for the Minnesota-Chicago matchup.When...

    Astros vs. Cubs: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    Justin Verlander takes the ball for the Houston Astros (7-17) when they visit starter Javier Assad and the Chicago Cubs (14-9) at 2:20 PM ET on Thursday.Keep reading to see how to watch the Houston-Chicago matchup below.When is Astros vs....

    Royals vs. Blue Jays: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

    Cole Ragans will take the mound for the Kansas City Royals (14-10) when they host starter Jose Berrios and the Toronto Blue Jays (13-11) in a rubber match on Thursday, with first pitch at 2:10 PM ET.If you're trying to...

    Yankees vs. Athletics: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

    Juan Soto and the New York Yankees (17-8) host Abraham Toro and the Oakland Athletics (9-16) on Thursday, with first pitch at 7:05 PM ET.If you're intending to watch this game, keep reading for TV and streaming options for the...

    Dansby Swanson with a First Inning Three-Run Homer

    For the second straight night, the Cubs are jumping all over the Astros in the first inning. After a couple hits from Nico Hoerner and Ian Happ to get things going, Michael Busch hit a sac fly, Christopher Morel walked,...

    more bears news