I suppose the Chicago Bears can go onto other business now that the quarterback situation is settled (for the time being) with the addition of Andy Dalton.
Next up for the Bears? Figuring out the pieces around Dalton. And as it turns out, Germain Ifedi is the next domino to fall:
Another move for Chicago: Germain Ifedi is signing a 1-year, $5 million deal, including a $4.25 million base salary, with the Bears, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 17, 2021
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports Ifedi re-signs with the Bears on a one-year deal worth up to $5 million dollars. The deal comes with a $4.25 million base salary, which is a modest number for an offensive lineman who was a starter at two different positions for Chicago last season.
Ifedi began the year as the team’s right guard after beating Rashaad Coward in a training camp battle. After the bye, the Bears nudged Ifedi to right tackle. It was a move that ushered in the additions of center Sam Mustipher and right guard Alex Bars. A post-bye re-tooling of the offensive line saw the group’s best efforts after James Daniels was lost to a season-ending injury. And it saw the offense’s best stretch of the year follow. So … that’s something. Right?
A one-year deal at that salary probably doesn’t guarantee much for Ifedi beyond a roster spot. It’s possible he could start at either of the positions he played last season. Or he find himself in a competition with a draft pick made in April. This is a draft class brimming with offensive linemen. And if the Bears choose to retain their early-round draft picks, they could do well to bolster the line in front of their new quarterback with an infusion of young talent.