Post by malagabears on Oct 6, 2024 10:09:14 GMT -6
I love throwing shit at the wall so here you go:
Off season assets critical to this roadmap: Picks 14, 38, & 45 + 72M cap space (up to 81M cutting Davis)
The Bears had very high expectations entering the 2024 season, according to many fans, analysts, & team brass. However, that has not been the case unfortunately as one problem after another has beset the key component of the offensive line. There have been a myriad of factors and possible explanations to try and find the cause. This thread won´t get into a deep dive but will instead center on the actual performance and what can be done to mitigate the weaknesses this season and next off season. Let´s look at the line using our own armchair GM observations:
1. LT – Braxton Jones: I would say at this point Jones is no more than an average LT with a ceiling of possibly above average. His fundamental weakness has been the inability to anchor on bull rushes and get pushed into the back field in the pocket by even rookie DE´s such as Jared Verse. That simply cannot happen at this stage of the game.
2024 regular season solution: Leave Jones in place for this season and attack the problem in free agency.
2025 off season solution: If healthy we take a swing for the fences approach and sign Ronnie Stanley to a frontloaded 4/60M contract with 36M guaranteed and a 24M signing bonus. His 2025 salary is 5M, so he gets 29M upfront and we have an out in 2027 once the guaranteed money runs out. His cap hit is 11M in 2025 and 13M for 2026 (SB pro-rated + 7M guaranteed salary). He has had a great 2024 and is on track to either be awarded Pro Bowl or All Pro status. He has been relatively healthy since last season but when playing at a high level he is among the top 5 tackles in both pass & run blocking. Tis is with a view to move Jones to swing tackle.
The Bears had very high expectations entering the 2024 season, according to many fans, analysts, & team brass. However, that has not been the case unfortunately as one problem after another has beset the key component of the offensive line. There have been a myriad of factors and possible explanations to try and find the cause. This thread won´t get into a deep dive but will instead center on the actual performance and what can be done to mitigate the weaknesses this season and next off season. Let´s look at the line using our own armchair GM observations:
1. LT – Braxton Jones: I would say at this point Jones is no more than an average LT with a ceiling of possibly above average. His fundamental weakness has been the inability to anchor on bull rushes and get pushed into the back field in the pocket by even rookie DE´s such as Jared Verse. That simply cannot happen at this stage of the game.
2024 regular season solution: Leave Jones in place for this season and attack the problem in free agency.
2025 off season solution: If healthy we take a swing for the fences approach and sign Ronnie Stanley to a frontloaded 4/60M contract with 36M guaranteed and a 24M signing bonus. His 2025 salary is 5M, so he gets 29M upfront and we have an out in 2027 once the guaranteed money runs out. His cap hit is 11M in 2025 and 13M for 2026 (SB pro-rated + 7M guaranteed salary). He has had a great 2024 and is on track to either be awarded Pro Bowl or All Pro status. He has been relatively healthy since last season but when playing at a high level he is among the top 5 tackles in both pass & run blocking. Tis is with a view to move Jones to swing tackle.
2. LG – Teven Jenkins: Jenkins has played at a high level (Above average in part of 2022 & most of 2023. He has severely digressed this year and getting overpowered on the line which was his strength in prior years. His pass blocking has also taken a hit.
2024 regular season solution: We must hope now with the coaching and play calling being called out the blocking will be better. I would leave Jenkins in for this season and start giving Amegadjie reps at some point. He has the size, length, and strength to take over after the midway point of the season if Jenkins is still struggling.
2025 off season solution: We make no FA or draft moves and target/train Amegadjie to be the day 1 starter for the 2025 regular season.
2024 regular season solution: We must hope now with the coaching and play calling being called out the blocking will be better. I would leave Jenkins in for this season and start giving Amegadjie reps at some point. He has the size, length, and strength to take over after the midway point of the season if Jenkins is still struggling.
2025 off season solution: We make no FA or draft moves and target/train Amegadjie to be the day 1 starter for the 2025 regular season.
3. C – Shelton Coleman: The absolute disaster of the IOL has been Coleman. He has quite literally been knocked on his rear end countless times while getting overpowered by larger Nose and D tackles. His snapping has caused some problems as well as pre snap confusion causing timing and penalty issues.
2024 regular season solution: Once Bates comes off IR, we insert him there and hope for the best. He has more experience at RG but as this point he is larger and probable quicker/stronger than Coleman which in and of itself is a massive improvement.
2025 off season solution: with our current 45th pick we select Jonah Monheim. As a 4 year senior he has settled into the center role this year, after having played both tackle and guard in prior seasons. He is a very sturdy 6.5 310 lb specimen who has a great IQ, anchor, power, run/pass blocking skills. Although he has been ranked as low as middle 3rd to high 4th in the past, he should shoot up the draft boards by the time April 2025 roles around. At that point I do not think selecting him with our 2nd rounder will be a reach.
2024 regular season solution: Once Bates comes off IR, we insert him there and hope for the best. He has more experience at RG but as this point he is larger and probable quicker/stronger than Coleman which in and of itself is a massive improvement.
2025 off season solution: with our current 45th pick we select Jonah Monheim. As a 4 year senior he has settled into the center role this year, after having played both tackle and guard in prior seasons. He is a very sturdy 6.5 310 lb specimen who has a great IQ, anchor, power, run/pass blocking skills. Although he has been ranked as low as middle 3rd to high 4th in the past, he should shoot up the draft boards by the time April 2025 roles around. At that point I do not think selecting him with our 2nd rounder will be a reach.
4. RG – Nate Davis: Nuf said, Davis has been a literal disaster for 2 seasons now and is the most obvious lineman to switch out for good in 2025. He has already been benched this for performance and after this season cutting him only costs 2M.
2024 regular season solution: Once Bates is moved over to C and Jenkins comes back to his LG spot, we move Matt Pryor over to RG and try to stabilize the IOL with this trio. If anything, Pryor should be a marginal to significant upgrade over Davis.
2025 off season solution: 2nd HR of the offseason, as we sign Trey Smith for RG with a 5/105M contract and 65M guaranteed. He gets a 30M signing bonus and his 2025 salary is 5M. 2025 cap hit is 11M and 2026 cap hit is 17M (11M salary + 6M SB). Guard salaries are skyrocketing, and Smith is on course to receive his 1st PB/AP. He resets the top of the market or ties it but after 2027 his guaranteed money is paid out.
2024 regular season solution: Once Bates is moved over to C and Jenkins comes back to his LG spot, we move Matt Pryor over to RG and try to stabilize the IOL with this trio. If anything, Pryor should be a marginal to significant upgrade over Davis.
2025 off season solution: 2nd HR of the offseason, as we sign Trey Smith for RG with a 5/105M contract and 65M guaranteed. He gets a 30M signing bonus and his 2025 salary is 5M. 2025 cap hit is 11M and 2026 cap hit is 17M (11M salary + 6M SB). Guard salaries are skyrocketing, and Smith is on course to receive his 1st PB/AP. He resets the top of the market or ties it but after 2027 his guaranteed money is paid out.
5. RT – Darnell Wright: Projected starter for years to come even though there is still plenty of season left and he has had plenty of warts. He will be the 2024/25/26 solution at a minimum due to his draft status. I still think he has a PB ceiling but not AP. Time will tell as he struggles with stunts and some fast & strong rushers.
