2024 NFL Offseason, Free Agency, and Draft Talk

[GrantDawg]

This is how you make an announcement. LFG!

Kirk Cousins.

This is from the source. And The Force. pic.twitter.com/FmQCPNGThW

— Kyle Brandt (@KyleBrandt) March 11, 2024

[GrantDawg]

The first "agree to a contract and change his mind" goes to Will Lutz. He agreed to terms with Jacksonville, but then resigned with the Vroncos

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[albionmoonlight]

Falcons underachieved with a shitty coach and shittier QB.

They’ve replaced them both.

The details of how good Kirk cousins actually is obscures the fact that they are fixing obvious problems

[Lathum]

Some fans undergo amputations after frigid Chiefs playoff game against Dolphins | AP News

[stevew]

Brian Burns to the Giants via trade

[GrantDawg]

The Panthers turned down two first and second for him last year to get a second and a fith this year. They are really bad at this.

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[RainMaker]

Thanking the Panthers for Caleb Williams.

[weegeebored]

I'm not convinced that the Bears take Williams. Based on recent history, my gut says Poles will trade down. Given teams' QB situations he might just keep Fields as he would be lucky to get a 3rd rounder now. And he's not exactly lighting the world on fire in FA. Needed a safety so I guess Byard is fine, but Swift and Bates? Maybe he's going hard after Hunter. If Poles doesn't make a big splash you can bet he's going to trade down to get more picks to fill spots.

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by weegeebored

I'm not convinced that the Bears take Williams. Based on recent history, my gut says Poles will trade down. Given teams' QB situations he might just keep Fields as he would be lucky to get a 3rd rounder now. And he's not exactly lighting the world on fire in FA. Needed a safety so I guess Byard is fine, but Swift and Bates? Maybe he's going hard after Hunter. If Poles doesn't make a big splash you can bet he's going to trade down to get more picks to fill spots.

If he doesn't start making splashes, he should be out the door with Eberflus.

Still pretty sure they're taking Caleb. You just don't get the chance to take a QB of that caliber often. I like Fields to an extent, but I don't think he's the special kind of QB who can win you championships. And the Bears are never going to have the coaching that can develop him.

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

Thanking the Panthers for Caleb Williams.

I think Williams is a bust at the next level and his dad will be a nightmare

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by Lathum

I think Williams is a bust at the next level and his dad will be a nightmare

Him being drafted by the Bears guarantees that but I don't know what other options the Bears have.

[rjolley]

I can accept either direction that the Bears take at QB so I've stopped really caring about it and am looking at other positions. Byard and Swift are fine, but if Bates is the best of what we're adding at C, whoever is behind him will be under pressure yet again.

[weegeebored]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

If he doesn't start making splashes, he should be out the door with Eberflus.

Still pretty sure they're taking Caleb. You just don't get the chance to take a QB of that caliber often. I like Fields to an extent, but I don't think he's the special kind of QB who can win you championships. And the Bears are never going to have the coaching that can develop him.

Fields is a great athlete who is an average QB on his best day. I think Poles was banking on MIN re-signing Cousins and ATL would be desperate enough to give up a 2nd round pick plus a day 3. Oops. It also means that teams that want to move up can deal for the 8th pick which many GMs might think is a better option than Fields. Williams is the "safe" pick; if he busts Poles can argue that he did his homework and the general consensus is that Williams was considered to be generational. He will still lose his job, of course. I think Caleb will be above average in the NFL, but not a Tier 1. Then there's his management team. That's the real headache in this decision.

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by rjolley

I can accept either direction that the Bears take at QB so I've stopped really caring about it and am looking at other positions. Byard and Swift are fine, but if Bates is the best of what we're adding at C, whoever is behind him will be under pressure yet again.

I really don't understand why they're bargain shopping on the offensive line when it's clearly been a huge issue for years. Guess things never change in Chicago. At some point a GM has to commit to improving the offensive line.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by Lathum

I think Williams is a bust at the next level and his dad will be a nightmare

Make that two of us.

[miami_fan]

Originally Posted by Lathum

I think Williams is a bust at the next level and his dad will be a nightmare

Can someone explain what the issues are with his dad? I have heard he is handling Caleb's draft in a similar way as Archie Manning''s handling of Eli's and that has been seen as a positive. On the other hand, I have heard he is the NFL's version of Lavar Ball and that is obviously seen as a negative. I had to google "Caleb Williams father" to find out what he looks like and that his first name is Carl. That alone makes the comparison to Lavar Ball seem outlandish.

[Swaggs]

I’ve seen a handful of former NFL players suggest that Williams has the tools, but that his game is not going to be anywhere near NFL ready this season. Ryan Leaf, who is surprisingly insightful as an analyst, talked a lot about him in a recent Dan Patrick interview

[Swaggs]

Dola…. Looking over the free agent running backs and this seems like a particularly loaded class at that position.

I know they are starting to come off the board and some of them are high mileage, but Barkley, Henry, Jacobs, Ekeler, and just released Joe Mixon all seem like they could be starting upgrades for a lot of teams. Then Pollard, Dobbins, Swift, Singletary, and Edwards-Helaire all seem like potentially good adds to split Carrie’s with.

[rjolley]

Originally Posted by miami_fan

Can someone explain what the issues are with his dad? I have heard he is handling Caleb's draft in a similar way as Archie Manning''s handling of Eli's and that has been seen as a positive. On the other hand, I have heard he is the NFL's version of Lavar Ball and that is obviously seen as a negative. I had to google "Caleb Williams father" to find out what he looks like and that his first name is Carl. That alone makes the comparison to Lavar Ball seem outlandish.

The short of it is most of the negative comments that have come from Williams' camp, not wanting to play in Chicago, wanting ownership, going back to college if he doesn't go where he wants, etc, have been attributed to the dad. From reports, he's a protective dad who's trying to steer his son to glory.

Caleb, on the other hand, has been said to have his own voice and has not corroborated any of the comments made by his dad. It appears that he'd like to play for the Commanders, but h's more interested in going #1 and winning. He'll play where he's drafted.

The dad is more Lavar-lite; a little bit more than your average dad and probably more akin to protective dads of top high school talents going into college.

[Ksyrup]

I can hardly believe I just read that if you only count the guarantees in Kirk Cousins new contract, he's now made $3M less than Tom Brady in lifetime earnings.

I know Brady took a lot of team-friendly deals, but that's just a ridiculous fact.

[miami_fan]

Originally Posted by rjolley

The short of it is most of the negative comments that have come from Williams' camp, not wanting to play in Chicago, wanting ownership, going back to college if he doesn't go where he wants, etc, have been attributed to the dad. From reports, he's a protective dad who's trying to steer his son to glory.

Caleb, on the other hand, has been said to have his own voice and has not corroborated any of the comments made by his dad. It appears that he'd like to play for the Commanders, but h's more interested in going #1 and winning. He'll play where he's drafted.

The dad is more Lavar-lite; a little bit more than your average dad and probably more akin to protective dads of top high school talents going into college.

Thanks. There is no such thing as Lavar-lite though.

[miami_fan]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

I can hardly believe I just read that if you only count the guarantees in Kirk Cousins new contract, he's now made $3M less than Tom Brady in lifetime earnings.

I know Brady took a lot of team-friendly deals, but that's just a ridiculous fact.

Much like Darrelle Revis, Cousins is an absolute legend at the bank. Good for him.

[weegeebored]

Darnell Mooney gets 3 years, $39M from Atlanta. Seems like a big overpay.

[Thomkal]

After announcing that they were not going to resign Joe mixon, they traded him to Houston. Looks like Derrick henry is going to sign with baltimore. quite the rb rodeo so far-lots of teams not resigning and they are signing almost immediately elsewhere

[molson]

These RBs can revitalize the market for their position if they can perform on these new deals. If they're all washed, it will sink them even further.

[Thomkal]

In another kind of free agent deal, Jacksonville employee Amit Patel gets 6 and a half years in prison from stealing from the team-no dollar amounts on that new contract

[weegeebored]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

I really don't understand why they're bargain shopping on the offensive line when it's clearly been a huge issue for years. Guess things never change in Chicago. At some point a GM has to commit to improving the offensive line.

I've been thinking about this and you're right -- things don't change because Bears ownership is cheap. I doubt that Poles has the go-ahead to spend big even though they have plenty of cap space. Maybe a big signing is in the offing, but I doubt that their going to pay Hunter the $30M per that he wants. I don't want Chase Young or Clowney. And there is some talk about Josh Uche. Um, no thanks unless he's at a bargain price for 2 years or less and the Bears have plans for an edge rusher in the draft. Why does this year feel like the same old, same old?

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by Thomkal

In another kind of free agent deal, Jacksonville employee Amit Patel gets 6 and a half years in prison from stealing from the team-no dollar amounts on that new contract

Heh! I saw somewhere it was reported as 6 yrs/$22 million with $21 million in restitution. None of the restitution is guaranteed.

[Honolulu_Blue]

So far, the Lions have traded a 3rd round pick for oft-injured CB Carlton Davis and two 6th rounders and signed DE Marcus Davenport.

I mean, those are definitely the positions that need to be addressed in free agency, I am just not sure these players are sufficient upgrades. The Lions window is now!

[QuikSand]

Originally Posted by weegeebored

Darnell Mooney gets 3 years, $39M from Atlanta. Seems like a big overpay.

...my reaction, too. A team has had him on the roster and openly complained "they don't have anyone for our young QB to throw to."

Now someone backs up more money/yr for him than any of the parade of RBs we're seeing out there? I'm not feeling it. I'd be thinking of Mooney as a 1y/6m sort of guy, closer to, say, the DJ Chark tier.

[Thomkal]

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

Heh! I saw somewhere it was reported as 6 yrs/$22 million with $21 million in restitution. None of the restitution is guaranteed.

[cartman]

Originally Posted by Thomkal

In another kind of free agent deal, Jacksonville employee Amit Patel gets 6 and a half years in prison from stealing from the team-no dollar amounts on that new contract

I smell another The Longest Yard remake!

[weegeebored]

Reports are that the Bears have signed TE Gerald Everett, 2 years $12M. They needed a TE2 but just a another meh signing. It appears that Poles is trying to fill roster holes at bargain prices which indicates to me now that he's taking a QB with the 1.1 pick. Let's see how many of these get filled.

[GrantDawg]

Originally Posted by weegeebored

Darnell Mooney gets 3 years, $39M from Atlanta. Seems like a big overpay.

quote=QuikSand;3428345]...my reaction, too. A team has had him on the roster and openly complained "they don't have anyone for our young QB to throw to."

Now someone backs up more money/yr for him than any of the parade of RBs we're seeing out there? I'm not feeling it. I'd be thinking of Mooney as a 1y/6m sort of guy, closer to, say, the DJ Chark tier.[/quote]


I was wondering the same thing. I think they are going off this:








edit: Thinking about it, this is that stat that probably explains why Justin Fields has generated no interest. Fans may have complained about the lack of open targets, but the film is saying they were open, the team lacked a quarterback that could throw to them.

[rjolley]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

I really don't understand why they're bargain shopping on the offensive line when it's clearly been a huge issue for years. Guess things never change in Chicago. At some point a GM has to commit to improving the offensive line.

This is part of the reason I don't want Williams. If we can get picks/player and have a shot at one of the rookie Cs and more rookie offensive linemen, then let's do it and get the roster together for the next hot QB that we can trade up for.

Like weegee said, this is starting to feel like more of the same which is not how I expected to feel coming into this season.

[GrantDawg]

Crazy info: there was not a single GM at Bo Nix's Pro Day, and only one Head Coach. The Bears Matt Eberflus was there with a large Bear staff contingent.

[weegeebored]

They were more likely there to see C Powers-Johnson than Nix.

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by rjolley

This is part of the reason I don't want Williams. If we can get picks/player and have a shot at one of the rookie Cs and more rookie offensive linemen, then let's do it and get the roster together for the next hot QB that we can trade up for.

Like weegee said, this is starting to feel like more of the same which is not how I expected to feel coming into this season.

It's just such a bizarre strategy. Every 4-5 years the Bears draft a QB, give him a shit coach, then throw him behind one of the worst offensive lines in the league. Then they can't figure out why the guy was a bust.

The team is now spending it's cap space on another running back (they had 2 decent ones) and a backup tight end. Just insane.

[GrantDawg]

I didn't think anybody was seriously thinking the Bears would take Nix.

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[Edward64]

Originally Posted by GrantDawg

This is how you make an announcement. LFG!

Like his presentation style! Wonder if he can get sued for it?

Really no idea how well this will work out. But kinda glad it takes us out of the draft-rookie-QB-roulette.

[Carman Bulldog]

Originally Posted by GrantDawg

Crazy info: there was not a single GM at Bo Nix's Pro Day, and only one Head Coach. The Bears Matt Eberflus was there with a large Bear staff contingent.

I'm not saying it's the case here, but it's not unheard of for teams to try and mask their interest in players, particularly given that teams may have felt they saw what they needed to at the combine. Admittedly though, it would be odd for all teams to come to this conclusion.

[CrimsonFox]

Raiders signing Gardner Minshew is awesome. The gang at bob and tom will love that considering Chick and ACe are Raiders fans.

[CrimsonFox]

I dunno about falcons and Kirk Cousins....I think he'll bust and get injured again.

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by Carman Bulldog

I'm not saying it's the case here, but it's not unheard of for teams to try and mask their interest in players, particularly given that teams may have felt they saw what they needed to at the combine. Admittedly though, it would be odd for all teams to come to this conclusion.

They're there for Jackson Powers-Johnson. Talk is if one of the top wide receivers isn't on the board at 9, the Bears would trade back and grab him to play Center.

[weegeebored]

Danielle Hunter to Houston, 2 years $49M. The Bears could have afforded that. Does "Bargain Bin" Poles have a clue?

[CrimsonFox]

Russell Wilson signing a league minimum deal with the Steelers for one year.
"NO PROMISES" about whether he'll he'll even start or not as Pickett is still there.

I mean he's still got millions from the broncos so at this point it's all just fun on a bun.

[GrantDawg]

Word is that the Commanders actually offered Hunter more money. Teams like Atlanta also offered him more years. He took a little bit less money to go home to Texas.

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[CrimsonFox]

so like all those Justin Fields to Raiders rumours are kinda false now that Minshew is there. Bears running out of places to trade him. Chargers rumoured.

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by weegeebored

Danielle Hunter to Houston, 2 years $49M. The Bears could have afforded that. Does "Bargain Bin" Poles have a clue?

Need backup safeties and tight ends. Who cares about the trenches?

[Thomkal]

Originally Posted by CrimsonFox

I dunno about falcons and Kirk Cousins....I think he'll bust and get injured again.

yeah after seeing what happened this last season to Aaron Rodgers and the jets, I would have thought twice about Cousins