Chisoxfn

Always a great perk for having Tmobile!!!

I do presume any losing team's manager and GM would probably be saying the same things. But Grifol just seems even more over the top than I've seen. I do get the - you don't want to say we suck - cause teams have to have some belief, even if they know the odds are extremely low and they need to have that mindset that they have a chip on their shoulder. For many of these players - the reality is - the chip is them playing well enough to get sent somewhere else - cause very few of the players on the opening day roster are likely on this roster in 3 years, but if they do well - they can certainly help make the roster that the club has in 3 years much better (in terms of helping the club use them to acquire prospect capital or draft picks or international money, etc).

I will say - seeing these wide receiver contracts - Mike Williams signing for $15M coming off an ACL injury - it certainly makes me want to say just take the darn receiver and deal with the having a couple holes on the dline (its too bad though - cause the Hunter deal could have bought everyone time and Bears could have 100% afforded to do it while paying Keenan).

I wouldn't put it past him - although my preference would have been to just buy your way out of the situation - whether a 1yr deal with Chase Young or poke around and see who else becomes a cap casualty or just continue to monitor the free agent marketplace. You still have Clowney out there - who isn't a bad option. He put up 9.5 sacks last year on a good Ravens defense. Maybe they resign Ngakoue...don't know what his recovery looks like from that injury. I'd prefer Clowney. Eagles might have a few that free up as well - whether Hassan Reddick or someone else? I think Sweat restructured so he's off the table.

I presume its an opener role and he is going 2-3 innings - hopefully 2-3 scoreless innings and given off-days and everything else and fact Sox don't really have anyone that "earned" it, I suppose it makes sense. I don't buy into he is any more at risk going on opening day than another day or that because it is colder he is more at risk. They are professional athletes and are going to train and prep and warm-up. If he is that fragile - what should they do - sit him out all of March/April cause it could be cold? And I get it - he might actually be that fragile - but if he is - he'll be back on the DL regardless.

I don't see any scenario where one of Odunze / Turner aren't there. And if they aren't there - than it means Nabers or Alt slid. The only scenario where one less is there is a scenario where less QB's go before 9. I also think Poles has telegraphed a lot the past week. He has been making depth move after depth move, presumably shoring up for the fact that they won't have round 4th-7th picks or many of those picks - most of which those picks are good for is "depth". Yes, you will ocassionally pull something out from there - but in general, especially in short-term, those are depth moves. Poles has added all kinds of depth moves - which tells me 1), he knows this isn't a deep draft, and 2) he probably isn't going to have many picks in the back end / many picks in general. 2 - I think he's focused on adding 2 blue chip starters in Round 1 and than hoping to get one eventual starter with his other 2 picks (3rd & 4th rounder). Could he add a 2nd or a 3rd by moving back a few picks - sure. But he's going to have to move back 5-7 picks to get a 2nd rounder. If he does that - how many blue chip players does he have in the draft? If he only has 12-14 - he isn't going to move back, regardless of it getting him a 2nd rounder - as it gets him into a whole other caliber of talent. Now if he does have 3 or 4 players still on the board that he loves - than I could absolutely see him moving back a few picks (but again - those other players have to grade out pretty similarly). If Minny goes up to get a QB (or someone else does) and 4 QB's go - I don't know that the Bears are going to see some team dying to move up - unless it is to get the final wideout. This is where IT could get interesting. If Bengals wanted a wideout longer term - do you move down with them and sign an extend Higgins. Its a TON of money in receiving room - but Bears could do it knowing Keenan is a short timer.

We are aligned - I would love if Williams came out like Stroud and this team made the playoffs, but more than anything I Hope 2nd half of the season we are seeing regular positives and a ton of upside from Caleb and the whole team and ideally this is a team that finishes strong. I am fine if they win 8 or 9 games and it is they had a rocky start and finished winning 5 of 7 or something like that.

So as much as I want a wideout - I think you find top end wideouts later in the draft more than you find top end LT's and High End pass rushers. Now I think one of those spots could potentially be addressed in next year's draft - but I absolutely could see a scenario of some of the Non Top 3 wideouts being better than the top 3 ones (maybe not better than MHJ) - but I 100% could see a scenario where one of the long list of very good wide receiving prospects ends up being a legit #1. I happen to be a huge fan of Dallas Turner and clearly if Joe Alt is there or they view any of the other LT prospects as a high end LT than I'm big on that (I don't care that Braxton was a good fine - a solid LT is not an elite LT and if you can get an elite one to pair with Caleb for the next 10+ years - YOU DO IT).

I will just state - I am even more excited after the weekend - ready to rock and roll. #1 overall pick who is not a reach (he could still suck - he could get hurt first game with some horrific injury) and with the Bears not having to mortgage the farm or anything to get him. Its literally the opposite of any time in my life the Bears have gotten a QB. The only close example would have been Mitch - and with Mitch they still did trade up. But it was the right move (in terms of getting a QB) - they just picked the wrong QB and than put a TON of assets into the defense vs. building around the QB (Allen Robinson is the only major move I recall Bears making at the time - oline was not invested, etc). This year - they are basically 2 years into the rebuild - punted in their true rebuild year (since year 1 they had to tear it down and were still missing picks thanks to the Field(s) trade) and started building the foundation. Now they have the foundation in much better shape - have 2 top 10 picks - TONS of draft capital next year - young parts on the oline (I won't call it a great oline though - and I still think they need to add a 1st round LT or a high-end guard) - weapons at receiver (and still need a young part), solid running backs, 2 TE's, and an experienced OC. Oh and the cap situation is VERY GOOD.

A line from Biggs stood out to me today. Basically all of Fields highlight plays were of him running or making a play while he was running. So few plays where he was just in rhythm. We all know it - but think of other great qbs - yes unscripted happens - but how man nice plays happen in the pocket too. You just can’t win in the league the way Fields played. 5 passing tds in final 8 games. Tons of turnovers and very low qbr in 4th quarter.

I still am shocked at all the people who were like bears need to stick with Fields. It just never made sense. It would have if Fields really ascended this year - than by all means get the haul - but passing up on a guy who would have went #1 last year and has been micro analyzed for 2 years is just foolish and those same people just spew non sensical stuff about Caleb. First it was Caleb is a diva and wants to be an owner and won’t play in Chicago. Than Caleb talked and ruined that narrative. Than it was he’s a bad teammate and stuff came out about all the great stuff he did. Now the media is supposedly keeping something damming on Caleb a secret. Really the media that loves a story - if they had real dirt on Caleb it would be being screamed from the mountain tops. Caleb may not be great but it will be because of him not translating or getting hurt.

Yeah I think Poles quotes imply they made sure Fields ended up in a good situation. Hence the Eagles and Steelers reports - 2 legit orgs. I may be wrong and I think Poles should have been more ruthless to Justin but I suppose if it was true and he did do Justin a solid - it makes a difference in lockeroom and around the league - it’s a business but orgs that treat people right end up ahead in long run. Now let’s go - I wish they had an extra draft pick - but 2 top 10 picks - one of which will be one of the more highly rated qbs in a long time plus one more blue chipper! Let’s go!!!

I will state - I wish Justin nothing but the best. He was a class act in Chicago and I hope he does well in Pittsburgh. I also hope Caleb Williams ends up being a total badass kick butt stud qb for the Bears!!!

Clearly I was wrong on Fields value - this still feels like Bears read the market wrong. That or they really did want to give Fields a preferred destination.

Jets, Rams (Stafford replacement and they actually have a lot of mid-round picks - although Jimmy G is there now too), Broncos (not that I think Payton and Field(s) are a fit, but Payton has had other QB's that were very much not like Brees), Dolphins (Tua needs a backup), and Steelers (Wilson is there - but whose to say they don't make it an open competition). Giants probably aren't - cause if they draft JJ like is rumored, I presume Jones is fine as your bridge QB.

Swift was Field(s) teammate at Georgia and my understanding is they were pretty good friend(s) and still are friendly. He reached out to Justin and has heard NOTHING. Either Justin is entirely in on this and this is the greatest single "bluff" in the history of football (to get the haul) or Justin and everyone internally knows and you just have random fan boys still acting like Field(s) is staying. Or it really is - Poles wants to move Justin but has told teams - I need to have the pro-days and cement my decision. So he really is telling teams - give me your offers - but unless someone blows me away and force(s) my hand - I'm not dealing until later on this month.

I'm sure I'm biased and I get there may be less teams interested now - but I fully believe that Field(s) has MORE value than both of them, so I agree as of this point Howell is the absolute floor. I am hoping this is rather Poles is playing a game of chicken with 1 or 2 teams, but already has an offer better than either of these but is being stubborn. Kind of like when Wentz got traded the 2nd time - everyone knew he was going, but they still got way more than I think anyone expected. I mean when Wentz went to Washington from Indy - they moved up in the 2nd round (from where they were), plus got a 3rd rounder and a future 3rd rounder. And that was Wentz moving from 2nd team to 3rd team.

Kenny Pickett to Eagles. Not sure what the draft compensation is.

I could only imagine a world where Joe Alt is sitting there at #9. I put odds at <10% - but oh my.

Vikings are up to something - don't think I've seen a trade like that this soon before. Pick up 1st round pick from Houston for 2nd rounder this year and next year (plus some other picks). Not used to seeing a move like that that isn't done on draft day. So there is clearly a purpose behind this - whether this is to get them closer to asking price on a top 5 pick to get a QB or they have something else up there sleeves? (Jefferson and 2 FRP for Herbert - Chargers than draft JJ?).

Good for him - finished with a solid season and played most of the year. He was an all time great - I still remember how bummed I was when he got drafted right before the Bears (who were clearly going to select him). Guy was awesome and I'm glad he's retiring a bit early so hopefully he can enjoy the rest of his life.

I tend to think Titans take Alt. Originally I thought Chargers would take Alt - and to be honest I think there is still that chance, but seems likely they take the wideout. Titans I could see going wideout but I doubt it. Atlanta is likely going defense (or trade). If 4 QB's go - than you need 1 OT and 1 Defensive player for the Bears to have a chance at the 3rd best wideout. I still think that is the likely outcome. One wildcard is a team moves up to get that top DE or Top OT. If only 3 QB's go - than I think the reality is one of the top 3 wideouts aren't there, but you still are likely getting a shot at one of the top defensive players, but probably would be the #2 defensive player. Unless Brockers really ends up in the top 10 - maybe after his pro day he'll get some helium but it seems like Brockers is cemented outside of the Top 10 (Chargers aren't taking him over the other wideouts, Atlanta already went Pitts so they aren't doing it again, unless Titans shock us and go that way).

Ideally you get a very good dlinemen and wideout and than grab a guard with first 3 picks post Caleb. My new dream is Bears pick up a 2nd rounder and 3rd rounder for their 4th this year and a 4th next year plus Justin. Trying to mimick a slightly better version of Howell trade. If they do that Bears are in business. I could care less about picks past 3rd or 4th in this draft - it’s a top heavy draft given lack of underclassmen.

I am pretty pumped about this. They should do at least a one year extension and restructure - at most 2 years. Keenan is such a good dude and class and whatever wideout they pick - whether in round 1 or 3rd round will benefit from having him in the lockeroom. Bears are also familiar given receiver coach worked with him in SD.

I wonder if they intend to do a short term extension with him to free up some cap space and buy one extra year. That said if you don’t he will sign and you will get a comp pick down road.