My alma mater plays a relatively important men’s college basketball game this afternoon at UIC. Unless the math ain’t mathin’, a win gives my beloved Salukis a bye into Friday’s Arch Madness action. And if the chips fall in their favor, then SIU could be a No. 3 seed — putting them in the Friday night primetime slot. If that happens, it would give a day full of shenanigans with friends in St. Louis. So, yeah, I’ll be rooting extra hard this afternoon.
After all, something has to hold me over until Bears football grips my soul this fall.
An old friend gets the bag (again) from his new team:
The #Jaguars have agreed to a three-year, $30 million extension with DL Roy Robertson-Harris, source says. A free-agent signing two years ago, Robertson-Harris gets an extension after being a force on the defensive line for Jacksonville late in the season. pic.twitter.com/A4eq7ebNur— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) February 25, 2023
Ryan Pace and his staff had their shortcomings. But that regime’s ability to find Day 3 talent and sign UDFAs who developed into contributors was top-notch. And Roy Robertson-Harris was one of those diamond-in-the-rough findings for Pace and pals. Now, the Jacksonville Jaguars will (continue to) reap the benefits of his development.
Sigh. I sure wish the Bears had a defensive lineman like RRH on their roster. Not even just from a production standpoint, although the 3 sacks, 12 quarterback hits, and 7 tackles-for-loss would make for a nice rotational defensive lineman that you can never have enough of in this league. But also, from the perspective of a fan who likes watching the career arcs of players who grind their way up from the bottom. Robertson-Harris went from undrafted free agent switching positions, to bit player, to key reserve, to being worthy of a multi-year deal and a bigger chunk of playing time with another team, to a second contract with that team. The RRH arc was fun to follow. And I can’t wait to unearth the next one in Chicago. (Looking at you, Jack Sanborn!)
Also, the Jaguars are $12.4 million over the cap, per OverTheCap.com’s calculations. The RRH extension could free up some cap space if drawn up properly. In the meantime, this has us putting our eyes on Jacksonville’s cap situation. That team might be limited in what it can do to retain or go after players when the new league year begins and free agency opens its doors. With that in mind, I’ll be curious to see if the Jags can clear enough space to bring back offensive tackle Jawaan Taylor and/or tight end Evan Engram. Both players could conceivably be Bears free agency targets next month.
We’re at 60 days before the NFL Draft. This gives us ample time for teams to throw out a number of bluffs and misdirection plays. In other words, expect to see tweets like this sprinkled throughout the NFL beats between now and draft day:
A draft-related nugget that has been popular in league circles of late: The Texans, with a new HC and a fairly new GM, may be compelled to delay their big QB dice roll until ‘24.
Over at BN’s NFL wing, Patrick is following the Rams’ quest to clear cap space. Because after cutting ties with Bobby Wagner, the team is reportedly exploring a trade of stud cornerback Jalen Ramsey. Patrick explains:
Ramsey has a $25.2 million cap number in 2023. Trading Ramsey would provide the Rams with more desperately needed cap space. Ramsey is set to make $14.5 million in 2023 and $15.5 million in 2024 in the final two years of his extension with the Rams.
If the Rams traded Ramsey before June 1, they would have a $19.6 million cap saving with $5.6 million in dead money in 2023.
You know what team could use help in the secondary and can take on a huge salary? The Bears. Don’t give me that look. I know you were thinking it, too.
Remember when the Browns took on Brock Osweiler’s contract to get draft capital? I remember. So while I’m not necessarily an advocate of copycatting the Browns, taking this kind of swing is something I’d be very into from a Bears perspective. Maybe it’s not Ramsey and the Rams. Admittedly, that feels like a challenge for a fit that I’m not sure is totally there. But I’m all for creativity. Perhaps there is a deal to cut with some other teams looking to clear cap space. The Bucs ($56.5M) and Chargers ($20.5M) are among the teams with the most cap space to clear to get out of the red. Maybe there is something there to consider? I mean, beyond the Keenan Allen and Mike Evans-Chris Godwin stuff we’ve already discussed.
Would the Saints ($30.898M over the cap as of this posting) be wild enough to trade Taysom Hill? A post-June 1 Hill trade would clear $9.9 million in cap space. To be clear, I’m not pushing a Hill trade to solve the Bears’ receiver woes, maybe they can get some draft capital and a player who could be useful as a gadget guy who could also be a reserve QB option. Taking a one-year hit on that wouldn’t be the worst way to use short-term cap space. How problematic would it be if the Bears were to take on Michael Thomas’ re-structured contract in a deal? I have plenty of questions, but we probably won’t start getting answers until the start of the new league year in 17 days.
Adam Rank is one of my favorite NFL personalities and I’m totally here to let him cook up a winning offseason for the Bears:
This was a fun read: 10 Chicago Bears pro wrestling comps. (Bears Wire)
Old friend Bill Lazor, who was Matt Nagy’s play caller for a little bit at the end of that run, found a coaching job with the Texans, per reporter Aaron Wilson.
Lamar Jackson’s tag situation is something we’ll continue watching from afar:
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.
I had a great visit with my therapist today. Between that and an afternoon cold brew, I've got enough in me to power through an evening Bears post. Let's dig into some recent mock drafts that are giving off a...
For all the discussion about the big three wide receivers who could be on the Chicago Bears radar on NFL Draft weekend, a different high-profile pass-catcher is apparently garnering some interest from the team. All-American tight end Brock Bowers had...
The Chicago Bears continue building out their organizational staff around President Kevin Warren. And their latest addition arrives to Halas Hall with three Super Bowl rings in tow. The team announced the hiring of Ted Crews, who has spent the...
Maybe it's just me, but Wednesdays are starting to feel like the new Mondays. Ick. There are just 8 days until the 2024 NFL Draft. We're almost there, friends. We've almost made it. The best pre-draft stat you'll see comes...
Even though the Chicago Bears have plugged several notable holes this offseason, one biggie remains. And it leaves me to ask a pertinent question: Who wants to play the 3-technique defensive tackle role? Perhaps Illinois' Johnny Newton is the answer....
'Tis the season for dot-connecting. And if you are a Chicago Bears fan, you might want to keep tabs on what is happening between your favorite team's current first and ninth picks. ESPN's Adam Schefter names the Arizona Cardinals and...
The MMQB's Albert Breer shares an anecdote about the Washington Commanders pre-draft process. Washington, which holds the second pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, is hosting a bunch of quarterbacks for top-30 visits this week. Together. In the same place....
Thin Lizzy's "The Boys Are Back In Town" played in a loop in my head on Monday as I thought about the Chicago Bears strolling into Halas Hall to start the offseason training program. This is what it looked like...
Chop Robinson is more than a cool name. He was also a productive edge defender for the Penn State Nittany Lions. And, today, NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport reports that Chop Robinson is visiting with the Chicago Bears — today. That's...
We're adding Dadrion Taylor-Demerson to the list of players who are coming down to Halas Hall for a top-30 visit with the Chicago Bears. Chris Emma has the scoop on the Texas Tech defensive back's upcoming trip to the greater...
The Boston Red Sox (10-9), who will give the ball to Brennan Bernardino, host the Cleveland Guardians (12-6) with Carlos Carrasco on the mound, Thursday at 1:35 PM ET.Keep scrolling to find out all the details on how to watch...
The Chicago Bulls can't seem to swat the injury bug. Despite Andre Drummond and Ayo Dosunmu returning from their multi-game absences on Wednesday, the Bulls have likely lost their defense ace. Alex Caruso suffered a foot injury in the first...
Whether or not he gets the hardware, Coby White is the NBA's Most Improved Player. The Chicago Bulls guard has fully embraced his bigger workload this season, showing improvements in almost every aspect of his game. This was on full...
The Miami Heat have some serious concerns after their Play-In Tournament loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night. According to The Athletic's Shams Charania, Jimmy Butler is "feared" to have suffered an MCL injury in his knee. An MRI...
In a series opener on Thursday, Logan Webb will take the mound for the San Francisco Giants (8-11) against Ryne Nelson and the Arizona Diamondbacks (9-10), with first pitch scheduled for 9:45 PM ET at Oracle Park.The article below will...
The San Francisco Giants are hosting the Arizona Diamondbacks for a four-game series, with the first matchup getting underway at 9:45 PM ET on Thursday, April 18.Giants vs. Diamondbacks Series Info Diamondbacks @ Giants Time: Thursday, April 18 at 9:45...
A four-game series between the Chicago Cubs and the visiting Miami Marlins will start on Thursday, April 18 at 7:40 PM ET.Cubs vs. Marlins Series Info Marlins @ Cubs Time: Thursday, April 18 at 7:40 PM ET Cubs Starting Pitcher:...
DeMar DeRozan is almost 35 years old and led the NBA in minutes this season. I want you to remember that as you watch what you're about to see. The Chicago Bulls' veteran forward was tearing apart the Atlanta Hawks...
The Chicago Bulls understood the assignment. Unlike what we saw against Toronto in the first Play-In Tournament game last season, the Bulls were the ones to get out to an early lead. DeMar DeRozan was completely in his bag from...
Michael Busch and the Chicago Cubs (11-7) host Luis Arraez and the Miami Marlins (4-15) on Thursday in a series opener, with first pitch at 7:40 PM ET.Keep reading to find out how to watch the Chicago-Miami matchup in the...
NEWSLETTER
