Another article from overthecap, says Bears are 200mil low, which I really don't understand.
Thank you for trying to clear this up. The bottom line for fans is that Poles needs to spend a load of money. If he can’t get 7 good FAs like the Jags, then go after cap casualty cuts and/or trades with other teams for WR, CB, or RB. Some of this can happen after June 1.
Another article from overthecap, says Bears are 200mil low, which I really don't understand.
Thank you for trying to clear this up. The bottom line for fans is that Poles needs to spend a load of money. If he can’t get 7 good FAs like the Jags, then go after cap casualty cuts and/or trades with other teams for WR, CB, or RB. Some of this can happen after June 1.
I would add to that, my hope is that part of that money is spent wisely trying to re-sign the best of our own players who are already on our roster. It may be wise, financially, to do this before they hit the FA status next year. That just seems like a good business practice. We don't need any MORE holes to fill. Let's retain our best players in a cost-effective manner - and with PROVEN talent that we do have. I'd start with JJ, Mooney & Kmet. That will cost some cash right there.
I understand there's a minimum spending requirement though I read it's 90% over 3 years. Maybe someone could clarify?
But there's no way the Jags spent $173m just on free agents last year. That just can't be right. The entire cap is what...about $220m per team?
And it's not possible for Poles to spend $150m when he has only $100m is space. That would put the Bears over the cap limit for 2023.
Something doesn't add up here.
I edited my last note. Some of the 150 applies to the 2023 cap and some to future years. The 4 years are 2021 through 2024. He needs to make up at least $150M level to get above the floor. At least that’s what I read somewhere. The Jags committed to $229M spending on day-1 of free agency last year, and $175M guaranteed. Their salary cap was $56M. I believe these numbers are verifiable facts.
OK, that makes at some semblance of sense.
I can buy $150m over multiple years and I can buy $173m over the life of the Jags FA contracts from last year. And btw I checked and the whole salary cap per team is only about $210m for 2023.
So, bottom line is Poles has to spend a good chunk of coin this offseason (as we all knew he would anyway) but he has several years to reach the $150m figure which includes all years of all contracts.
"There’s also concern that if Fields needs to remain a run-heavy playmaker for the offense to succeed, the Bears may get stuck playing a perpetual game of chicken. On the freeway. With their most valuable franchise asset. “Are you going to be able to keep him healthy?” one exec said. “And how? On the surface alone, we’re still talking about a quarterback who has been stuck on the sideline more often than he’s won.” Indeed, Fields heads into his third season having missed seven starts because of injury or illness while accumulating only five victories."
The Bears need to do everything in their power to help Fields become a passing QB. Yes, he is a freak running athlete. But if his game ends with him being a one-trick pony, then I do worry about him not being the guy we need in Chicago. Teams will defend that one-trick pony guy and his body will pay a heavy price. That would be a shame because I do believe Fields can grow into being a "real" QB with a passing game to go with that run game. But Poles needs to pull out all stops to protect him with solid OL pass protection & obviously you need better receivers - guys who can run routes, catch a football - and get open more consistently.
"There’s also concern that if Fields needs to remain a run-heavy playmaker for the offense to succeed, the Bears may get stuck playing a perpetual game of chicken. On the freeway. With their most valuable franchise asset. “Are you going to be able to keep him healthy?” one exec said. “And how? On the surface alone, we’re still talking about a quarterback who has been stuck on the sideline more often than he’s won.” Indeed, Fields heads into his third season having missed seven starts because of injury or illness while accumulating only five victories."
The Bears need to do everything in their power to help Fields become a passing QB. Yes, he is a freak running athlete. But if his game ends with him being a one-trick pony, then I do worry about him not being the guy we need in Chicago. Teams will defend that one-trick pony guy and his body will pay a heavy price. That would be a shame because I do believe Fields can grow into being a "real" QB with a passing game to go with that run game. But Poles needs to pull out all stops to protect him with solid OL pass protection & obviously you need better receivers - guys who can run routes, catch a football - and get open more consistently.
Jackson, Allen, Hurts are also running QBs. That’s a great weapon and Bears should keep using it. I want a run-oriented offense, but with the running backs — not Fields — leading rushers. I also want true WR1 so that our offense can look more like the Eagles after Poles upgrades the OL. Improving the OL is not going to be difficult. Finding WR1 will be Poles biggest challenge.
"There’s also concern that if Fields needs to remain a run-heavy playmaker for the offense to succeed, the Bears may get stuck playing a perpetual game of chicken. On the freeway. With their most valuable franchise asset. “Are you going to be able to keep him healthy?” one exec said. “And how? On the surface alone, we’re still talking about a quarterback who has been stuck on the sideline more often than he’s won.” Indeed, Fields heads into his third season having missed seven starts because of injury or illness while accumulating only five victories."
The Bears need to do everything in their power to help Fields become a passing QB. Yes, he is a freak running athlete. But if his game ends with him being a one-trick pony, then I do worry about him not being the guy we need in Chicago. Teams will defend that one-trick pony guy and his body will pay a heavy price. That would be a shame because I do believe Fields can grow into being a "real" QB with a passing game to go with that run game. But Poles needs to pull out all stops to protect him with solid OL pass protection & obviously you need better receivers - guys who can run routes, catch a football - and get open more consistently.
Jackson, Allen, Hurts are also running QBs. That’s a great weapon and Bears should keep using it. I want a run-oriented offense, but with the running backs — not Fields — leading rushers. I also want true WR1 so that our offense can look more like the Eagles after Poles upgrades the OL. Improving the OL is not going to be difficult. Finding WR1 will be Poles biggest challenge.
I'm happy we have a mobile QB. But the league will be ruled by teams that are not a one-trick pony offense. The ability to pass in the modern NFL matters. Yes, we definitely want an offense that can run effectively. Yes, we want a mobile QB threat. Yes, we also want a guy who can pass effectively - and to receivers who can run good routes, get separation, and catch a football (no stone hand guys running wrong routes and failing to get open on a consistent basis). We need an array of weapons on offense if we expect to win a championship. Kansas City is one example. Solid receivers, great TE play, good OL, decent rushing (not great but not bad), a mobile QB who moves around in the pocket well - and the dude can pass a football well. They win championships.
Jackson, Allen, Hurts are also running QBs. That’s a great weapon and Bears should keep using it. I want a run-oriented offense, but with the running backs — not Fields — leading rushers. I also want true WR1 so that our offense can look more like the Eagles after Poles upgrades the OL. Improving the OL is not going to be difficult. Finding WR1 will be Poles biggest challenge.
I'm happy we have a mobile QB. But the league will be ruled by teams that are not a one-trick pony offense. The ability to pass in the modern NFL matters. Yes, we definitely want an offense that can run effectively. Yes, we want a mobile QB threat. Yes, we also want a guy who can pass effectively - and to receivers who can run good routes, get separation, and catch a football (no stone hand guys running wrong routes and failing to get open on a consistent basis). We need an array of weapons on offense if we expect to win a championship. Kansas City is one example. Solid receivers, great TE play, good OL, decent rushing (not great but not bad), a mobile QB who moves around in the pocket well - and the dude can pass a football well. They win championships.
Why not lead the NFL in rushing again in 2023? That would make it much easier for Fields to pass, even if we don't have a WR1.
I'm happy we have a mobile QB. But the league will be ruled by teams that are not a one-trick pony offense. The ability to pass in the modern NFL matters. Yes, we definitely want an offense that can run effectively. Yes, we want a mobile QB threat. Yes, we also want a guy who can pass effectively - and to receivers who can run good routes, get separation, and catch a football (no stone hand guys running wrong routes and failing to get open on a consistent basis). We need an array of weapons on offense if we expect to win a championship. Kansas City is one example. Solid receivers, great TE play, good OL, decent rushing (not great but not bad), a mobile QB who moves around in the pocket well - and the dude can pass a football well. They win championships.
Why not lead the NFL in rushing again in 2023? That would make it much easier for Fields to pass, even if we don't have a WR1.
Of course a running game is extremely important. Although KC's run game was in the lower half of the league this year and they did fine, winning the Super Bowl. Again. Last year Matt Stafford was a top-3 passer (and as mobile as a statue). Tom Brady won the Super Bowl before that (obviously that guy can pass.... and isn't a mobile QB). Before that we had Patrick Mahomes winning the Super Bowl. My point is that we need to have a QB & WRs who can provide a real modern NFL offense. Just having a wildcat QB won't get you very far. But 100% agree that a solid running game helps the passing game. You need as complete of a team as possible. Offense, Defense - both. Running game as well as a passing game.
Fields needs to become a passing QB as well as being a running guy. And I know I'm "preaching to the choir" and you feel the same way. Gotta get an OL and WRs so this happens. Fields can't catch his own passes or provide the pass blocking so he can pass...