On this date in 2017, this site covered its first NFL Draft. But rather than rue on the trade, the pick, and decision that changed Bears history, I wanted to go in a different direction.
I’d like to take this time to thank you, our wonderful readers. Without you, we wouldn’t be a thriving community of Bears chatter. I love the give-and-take we have. Through the fun times (admit it, you enjoyed 2018!) and the not-so-fun ones (gestures at current offseason), we’ve been there for each other. And it’s been mostly enjoyable — even if the football hasn’t always been. So what do you say we have another fun Draft Week and then move from there?
• I had an absolute BLAST talking NFL Draft with Kevin Kaduk and Scott Koral of Midway Minute. And I think you’ll enjoy it, too:
Good morning!
We're back in action today with …
• A Bears draft primer
• The Bulls that won't go away
• Whatever it is that Zach Davies is doing … https://t.co/tfJmGJBdE1— Midway Minute ⚾ (@MidwayMinute) April 27, 2021
• Want more Draft chatter? You got it, friends:
We are officially 10 weeks old AND we have our first guest! @lcm1986 from @BN_Bears joins @craigwchoate and @TheLoganLee to preview this weekend's NFL Draft and what to expect out of the Bears. Plus Illini sports, Cubs, Cards, and the Oscars. https://t.co/2mP04BPl2A
— No One Asked Us (@NoOneAskedUsPod) April 27, 2021
• There is so much ground we cover in the discussions above. Trade-up options. QB prospects I’m into. Middle-round targets I’d like to see Chicago go after. My beef with Ryan Pace’s process. And much, more more. If you’ve got the time, I’d truly appreciate your eyes, ears, and clicks.
• A smooth transition into why I’ve got issues with Ryan Pace’s process. ICYMI: Brett points out this morning the Bears have THE LEAST AMOUNT OF CAP SPACE of any team entering the NFL Draft. How is this possible? I mean, I know how it’s possible. But how does a franchise allow itself to simultaneously be handcuffed financially *AND* have significant holes at key position? A team with that little cap space shouldn’t have this many problems. The Bears are dangerously stepping into 2020 Vikings territory and I don’t like it one bit. Too expensive to pivot, change directions, and leave a regime that was good (but not good enough) in the dust. And not good enough to compete at the level that justifies such spending. What gives?
• If you’re in search of a snapshot to explain the Bears’ spending issues, look no further than this offseason. Germain Ifedi received a $1.3625M raise in guarantees from the one-year year deal he was given by Chicago last offseason. Tashaun Gipson Sr., who had been sitting in free agency without much buzz surrounding him on the rumor mill, got $1.525M more in guarantees this year than he did on last year’s deal. Jeremiah Attaochu was given $2.325M more in guarantees on this year’s Bears contract than he was given in last year’s deal with the Broncos.
• What are we doing here? Don’t get me wrong. I’m all for paying players good and fair salaries. When you’re a billion dollar entity, the money should be funneled back to the players who make the product happen and not burrowed away in the pockets of people who aren’t on the field. HOWEVER … this seems like careless spending to me. In fact, I’ll go on a limb and suggest the Bears could’ve waited out free agency for these spots and received similar production from different players whose contracts would have left more to spend elsewhere.
• Chicago needs an estimated $8,095,344 to sign its draft picks. And while there are way to clear space. That we’re talking about needing to do so to make it happen bothers me on so many levels.
All contract data via OverTheCap.com, which is a fine resource.
• Is Kyle Shanahan gonna Thanos-snap the universe out of existence on Saturday night?
"I can't guarantee that anyone in the world will be alive Sunday, so I can't guarantee who will be on our roster Sunday." Kyle Shanahan when asked if it's a guarantee that Jimmy Garoppolo will be on the #49ers roster Sunday
— Tracy Sandler (@49ersfangirl) April 26, 2021
• Take him at 20, Bears:
Find a teammate like dude here dropping bombs… https://t.co/ifY3Xofcdf
— Rex Chapman🏇🏼 (@RexChapman) April 26, 2021
• “We simply drafted a first-round quarterback last year because we are dumb.”
#Packers GM Brian Gutekunst tells reporters at his pre-draft press conference that Aaron Rodgers is their guy. “He’s our quarterback for the foreseeable future."
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 26, 2021
• This feels like a trap:
Wonder how much the Packers could get for Jordan Love 🤔
— Gil Brandt (@Gil_Brandt) April 26, 2021