With free agency slowing down, it’s time for the Bears to start bargain shopping but that might prove to be a little tricky. The day after signing a starting left tackle, Jermon Bushrod, and starting tight end, Martellus Bennet, there was very little room left for the future draft class. Thus, it was only a matter of time before the team decided to make some cuts for future draft picks and for future free agents.
What’s left in the free agent pool?
Not much. Not much at all. There are some quality guards that are available on the free agent market but this quote from Emery (per Brad Biggs) sums up how much cap space is left: “Are we gonna be able to go out and sign in the UFA market a starting guard? No.” This means that most of the next few signings will either be back-up players or lesser known individuals. That being said, hopefully Phil Emery and Cliff Stein can start working on re-signing some of their own UFA’s specifically, Brian Urlacher and Lance Louis.
Lance Louis should come cheap but there are reports that he is looking into joining another team. The biggest problem with Louis isn’t his production or play; it’s his health. The knee injury he sustained versus the Vikings is something that should bring his value down but hopefully it doesn’t bring down his playing level.
Brian Urlacher is reportedly talking to the Minnesota Vikings. I understand the business side to why he is trying to go play for the Vikings but to be honest, I’m a little shocked. Out of all the teams he could have chosen to talk to, he chooses the one team that really isn’t Superbowl ready. I could understand if Urlacher wanted to go the Patriots, Broncos, or even the Packers, but the Vikings? It looks like a desperate move for more money from a desperate player in need of a contract.
With the 20th pick in the 2013 draft, the Chicago Bears select…
Well, it isn’t crystal clear but it isn’t as hazy as it was before Free Agency. Emery also had something to say about the draft (per Dan Pompei): “That’s why I’m so excited about the two players we were able to sign so far, it’s given us so much flexibility. To put it bluntly, we’re open for business. If teams want to talk to us about trading back, we’re all ears.”
Depending on who falls to the Bears and who they can sign in free agency, I can’t see them passing up on players like linebacker Alec Ogletree, or guard Chance Warmack especially if Brian Urlacher or Lance Louis decide to play for another team.
The Bears have around 5 million dollars in cap space after releasing Matt Spaeth, Matt Toeaina, and Kellen Davis. Roughly 2-3 million of it will be used towards the Bears future draft picks. That means if the Bears want to bring in anyone through free agency then they’ll have to keep it under 2 million.
I’m going to leave you with this thought. As of now, the Bears do not have a starting MLB, LOLB, or R/LG on the roster. It’s pretty apparent which positions needs to be filled. Whether that’s through the draft or free agency is up to Phil Emery and Marc Trestman.
Follow me on Twitter, ErikGrogan @ErikGrogan for the latest information on the NFL for anything. Trades, Free agency, or players getting cut. I follow and know the right people.
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