2026 NFL off season thread

[Chisoxfn]

27 minutes ago, WhiteSox2023 said:

It really wouldn’t be.  He’ll be turning 29 right before the season starts.  It wouldn’t be a surprise if his best days are behind him.   I wouldn’t go after Hendrickson either as he’s even older (31) unless he is cool with a one year deal.  I’d rather just use draft capital on young players and keep the train rolling.

I agree with this. I would be ok with Hendrickson cause it is cap space - but no more than 2 years (and what would be more like a 1+1 type of deal). 
 

Quite frankly if I could deal JJ I would too. It will take some time but keep pouring draft picks into the team - this time more on defense. 
 

Note: If there was a market for Swift I’d trade him and get 2 years younger with a few of the current crop of FA backs. 
 

 

[WhiteSox2023]

12 minutes ago, Chisoxfn said:

I agree with this. I would be ok with Hendrickson cause it is cap space - but no more than 2 years (and what would be more like a 1+1 type of deal). 
 

Quite frankly if I could deal JJ I would too. It will take some time but keep pouring draft picks into the team - this time more on defense. 
 

Note: If there was a market for Swift I’d trade him and get 2 years younger with a few of the current crop of FA backs. 
 

 

Exactly.  We talk about baseball being a young man’s game.  Now think about football and the beating they take at every position.  Poles has learned his lesson from his awful Chase Claypool trade and did the exact opposite with this DJ Moore trade, which was amazing IMO.  He dumped an aging receiver and his buttload of a contract and turned it into a 2nd round pick.  With Odunze, Burden, Loveland, and even Jahdae Walker (may be an underrated pickup) around, Moore was a great player to move.

Edited 20 hours ago by WhiteSox2023

[Chisoxfn]

5 minutes ago, WhiteSox2023 said:

Exactly.  We talk about baseball being a young man’s game.  Now think about football and the beating they take at every position.  Poles has learned his lesson from his awful Chase Claypool trade and did the exact opposite with this DJ Moore trade, which was amazing IMO.

I’ve been pleasantly pleased so far. I feel like Poles has made a few necessary moves which I didn’t know how much he would try to keep the crew together vs look to move guys and continue to shake things up.

[WhiteSox2023]

2 minutes ago, Chisoxfn said:

I’ve been pleasantly pleased so far. I feel like Poles has made a few necessary moves which I didn’t know how much he would try to keep the crew together vs look to move guys and continue to shake things up.

I would hope he is looking to deal Kmet as well.

[chw42]

2 minutes ago, WhiteSox2023 said:

I would hope he is looking to deal Kmet as well.

Tyler Higbee got 2 years and $8 million to re-sign with the Rams. You can probably replace Kmet at half his cap hit if you really wanted to. 

[WhiteSox2023]

10 minutes ago, chw42 said:

Tyler Higbee got 2 years and $8 million to re-sign with the Rams. You can probably replace Kmet at half his cap hit if you really wanted to. 

Yep.  Higbee is old (33) but Kmet’s production was neutered by Loveland.  Kmet is only 27 and could still be a #1 TE for another team.  But it’s obvious he has been replaced on this Bears team.  I think other teams know this and won’t want to pick up his contract, which I believe is $21 million over the next two years.  I think Kmet will ultimately be a post-June 1st cut…

“Per OverTheCap, the Bears can release Kmet for a dead cap hit of just $3.2 million if the team makes him a pre-June 1 cut.  A post-June 1 cut would carry a $1.6 million dead cap hit.“

Edited 20 hours ago by WhiteSox2023

[Kyyle23]

7 hours ago, WhiteSox2023 said:

Yep.  Higbee is old (33) but Kmet’s production was neutered by Loveland.  Kmet is only 27 and could still be a #1 TE for another team.  But it’s obvious he has been replaced on this Bears team.  I think other teams know this and won’t want to pick up his contract, which I believe is $21 million over the next two years.  I think Kmet will ultimately be a post-June 1st cut…

“Per OverTheCap, the Bears can release Kmet for a dead cap hit of just $3.2 million if the team makes him a pre-June 1 cut.  A post-June 1 cut would carry a $1.6 million dead cap hit.“

Kmet is the blocking TE in that offense, I don’t think he is going anywhere this season.  Maybe next 

[Kyyle23]

Biadasz to Chargers 3/30M

feels like bears are gonna swing for Linderbaum

[WhiteSox2023]

54 minutes ago, Kyyle23 said:

Kmet is the blocking TE in that offense, I don’t think he is going anywhere this season.  Maybe next 

A bit pricey for a blocking TE whose offensive role has been diminished.  I would not be surprised if he is cut this year.

Edited 12 hours ago by WhiteSox2023

[SoxAce]

1 hour ago, Kyyle23 said:

Biadasz to Chargers 3/30M

feels like bears are gonna swing for Linderbaum

Here's hoping. Biadasz would've been a nice plan B option. 

[Snopek]

1 hour ago, Kyyle23 said:

Biadasz to Chargers 3/30M

feels like bears are gonna swing for Linderbaum

Price will be massive obvs, but I think it’s a great investment. You’d have your head coach, qb and elite center locked up for a long time. Arguably the most important continuity across three guys that you can have.

[Chisoxfn]

1 hour ago, WhiteSox2023 said:

A bit pricey for a blocking TE whose offensive role has been diminished.  I would not be surprised if he is cut this year.

I wouldn’t trade Kmet. I think having him and Loveland is a multiplying effect and makes things difficult on defenses and helps Caleb and ground game a ton. 

[Chisoxfn]

1 hour ago, SoxAce said:

Here's hoping. Biadasz would've been a nice plan B option. 

I’m guessing they end up with the Bills center. 

[Quin]

47 minutes ago, Chisoxfn said:

I wouldn’t trade Kmet. I think having him and Loveland is a multiplying effect and makes things difficult on defenses and helps Caleb and ground game a ton. 

Another factor: Jahdae or OZ (if he's brought back) will be WR3 and we all know that the iron man was DJ.

If any of Rome, Burden, or Colston have to miss games - Kmet is gonna come in handy.

[The_scs787]

11 hours ago, WhiteSox2023 said:

I would hope he is looking to deal Kmet as well.

I'd rather they extend/restructure him. Like others have said i think he plays his role perfectly in this offense.  

 

I wouldnt be surprised to see even more 13 personnel this year with Colston being used as a pseudo WR, and Cole getting more time as a reciever. 

[Kyyle23]

2 hours ago, Quin said:

Another factor: Jahdae or OZ (if he's brought back) will be WR3 and we all know that the iron man was DJ.

If any of Rome, Burden, or Colston have to miss games - Kmet is gonna come in handy.

I think we can close the book on Oz

[Quin]

 

[Chisoxfn]

Fingers crossed - today is the day so I hope we get good news on that front.  

[The_scs787]

26 minutes ago, Chisoxfn said:

Fingers crossed - today is the day so I hope we get good news on that front.  

Yeah with all the holes they have right now it'd be huge. If they decide to go big game hunting, they may have to rely on that comp pick being a guy somewhere.  

[Tony]

Not sure the money he is looking for, but would be a nice stop gap at LT

[Kyyle23]

3 minutes ago, Tony said:

Not sure the money he is looking for, but would be a nice stop gap at LT

LT is such a scary position for them right now.  They truly have no idea if Trapilo Is going to be able to come back and take the position, but they have to allow for the opportunity, which means they can’t go all in on a LT.  Super tough decision.  

[Chisoxfn]

15 minutes ago, Kyyle23 said:

LT is such a scary position for them right now.  They truly have no idea if Trapilo Is going to be able to come back and take the position, but they have to allow for the opportunity, which means they can’t go all in on a LT.  Super tough decision.  

Trent Williams is a name that intrigues me.  Bridge candidate while they can solve other needs and probably doesn't tie-up long term flexibility.  I go back to - I think Bears have to be smart - they don't need to go all in now and lose focus for the foundational they need to still build.  They got the bulk of the foundation dialed in on offense - but there is work to do and longer term structuring to get right - but defensively - they barely have a blue print.  

It is why if the cost is multiple top-end draft picks, Crosby at 29 makes zero sense.  He helps you now - but sets you back 2-3 years from now and I don't think the jump you get today does what we think it can - given the significant amount of holes that exist on the defensive side of the house. If Crosby was 25/26 - I'd have a different opinion cause I'd see how that move set a strong foundation that this team could build on over the next few years.  

[SoxAce]

I'd sign Linderbaum and Decker. And then keep your picks and draft mostly defense. Do not trade for Crosby. 

[Tony]

2 hours ago, Kyyle23 said:

LT is such a scary position for them right now.  They truly have no idea if Trapilo Is going to be able to come back and take the position, but they have to allow for the opportunity, which means they can’t go all in on a LT.  Super tough decision.  

I think they have to move forward with the idea that Ozzy is basically a lottery ticket at this point. The history isn't great with that type of injury, especially for big guys. And lets be honest, it wasn't like Ozzy was playing at an all-pro level. He was serviceable, which we were all happy with for a rookie. If he was healthy, based on his play last year, he'd be the starting LT, and you'd feel OK about that given the other guys on the OL. Think for the most part, if you have 4 guys on the line you truly trust, you can get by with one "weak link" 

Bears need one more guy on the OL, and probably two given how healthy they were last year (probably doesn't hold up again in 2026)

I'd make some investments in FA in the OL, go heavy on defense in the draft. 

[Chisoxfn]

32 minutes ago, Tony said:

I think they have to move forward with the idea that Ozzy is basically a lottery ticket at this point. The history isn't great with that type of injury, especially for big guys. And lets be honest, it wasn't like Ozzy was playing at an all-pro level. He was serviceable, which we were all happy with for a rookie. If he was healthy, based on his play last year, he'd be the starting LT, and you'd feel OK about that given the other guys on the OL. Think for the most part, if you have 4 guys on the line you truly trust, you can get by with one "weak link" 

Bears need one more guy on the OL, and probably two given how healthy they were last year (probably doesn't hold up again in 2026)

I'd make some investments in FA in the OL, go heavy on defense in the draft. 

I think that is where Decker is a pretty good potential fit. 1-2 year deal (maybe it is a 2 year deal that enables you to spread the cap and if they retire in a year so be it). Good bridge solution and combine it with one of the FA centers. That gives you a lot of flexibility for how you attack the draft while ensuring you should have a strong line.  Call it the Ace scenario - I'd than assess whether I could do something else on the defense - but would be pretty content after that really targeting the defense heavy in the draft and in the 2nd wave of free agency.