Bears: Ryan Pace must make these salary cap moves for free agency
Who to retain
With plenty of their own players heading to free agency and not to mention holes to fill, Ryan Pace cannot blow all of their salary cap on one player. This especially holds true at the quarterback position. Here are some of the free agents the Bears can afford to retain and others they should target this offseason.
Before we get started though, it should be known that there are other contracts Pace could restructure in order to save more money in 2020 if there is a special player Pace wants to sign. This could be used on one of the quarterbacks if Mitchell Trubisky is no longer an option (personally do not believe that) or a top pass rusher to help take the pressure off Khalil Mack.
Nick Kwiatkoski – ILB
The Chicago Bears have been without Danny Trevathan for nearly half the season. Nick Kwiatkoski has filled in rather nicely though and would be a cheaper linebacker for Ryan Pace to retain. Yes, this means Trevathan has probably played his last game as a Chicago Bear, but Kwiatkoski should fill in nicely next to Roquan Smith in 2020.
I have Ryan Pace giving Kwiatkowski a three-year, $7.5 million dollar contract and $2.5 million dollars of that being allocated to 2020.
Kevin Pierre-Louis – LB
Roquan Smith has been out for nearly two games now too and Kevin Pierre-Louis has filled that void. Pierre-Louis has done more than enough that the Bears should try to retain him. This might not be that easy though since he will be in a reserve role in 2020 again. Another team may try to sweeten the deal by offering him a starting role.
I have the Chicago Bears paying him $2 million dollars in 2020 and giving him a 2-year, $4 million dollar contract.
Roy Robertson-Harris – DL
Next up on my keep list is Roy Robertson-Harris. Robertson-Harris did not do enough to warrant a big contract, but I find that he makes a strong depth piece for this defense. Therefore, I am giving him $800,000 in 2020 and $1.45 million over two years.
Rashaad Coward – OG
Another depth move for me is bringing back Rashaad Coward. Coward has proven to be worth holding onto as a backup. No one should think he should start the 2020 season. That said, he proved enough to be brought back next year for $800,000 or less per season.
J.P. Holtz – TE
The last current player on the roster that I think deserves to stay on the team is J.P. Holtz. Holtz has proven to be a strong tight end option for this team. He is a strong blocker and has proven he can do enough to help in the passing game too. I am predicting him to receive $650,000 in 2020.
After these additions, Ryan Pace will have between $18.75 million dollars and $23.15 million dollars to decide what to do with for 2020.
Some key players that could be brought back for the right price include Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Deon Bush and even Chase Daniel. Other guys to also consider are Patrick Scales, Nick Williams and Sherrick McManis.