The Chicago Bears must make these offseason moves
It’s obvious that the Bears need to make some serious moves in free agency outside the NFL draft. The problem is that the team is tied down to some serious contracts. These moves can free up some much-needed cash (via Spotrac)
- Cut: Buster Skrine (saves $2.8 million)
- Cut: Jimmy Graham (saves $7 million)
- Cut: Bobby Massie (saves $6.7 million)
- Cut: Charles Leno Jr (saves $6.2 million)
- Cut: Javon Wims (saves $920,000)
- Trade: Akiem Hicks (saves $10.5 million)
- Trade: Kyle Fuller (saves $11 million)
- Trade: Anthony Miller (saves $1.2 million)
Some of these moves may be tough to do, but all of this brings the team’s 2021 cap space total to roughly $46 million in total. Here are what the three players who were traded will likely bring in.
- Hicks: Tennessee Titans 2021 4th round selection (#116)
- Fuller: Philadelphia Eagle’s 2021 3rd round selection (#70)
- Miller: New England Patriots 2021 7th round selection (#236)
Now the Bears need to do some signing of their own.
- Franchise tag Allen Robinson, while working towards an extension in 2021
- Resign: Cairo Santos, Mario Edwards, Brent Urban, Alex Bars, Josh Woods, DeAndre Houston-Carson, J.P. Holtz, Barkevious Mingo, DeAndre Carter, Tashaun Gipson
If Pace is smart with his money, he’ll be able to bring in some veteran help from other teams. He should prioritize a veteran wide receiver, an offensive tackle, linebacker depth, and a veteran cornerback.
It’s also important to note that these moves could be affected by the team’s decision at quarterback. A player coming in with a bigger contract means someone like Robinson isn’t likely to be paid.