2026 NFL off season thread

[Soxfest]

1 hour ago, champagne030 said:

It’s clear Ryan is calling the shots.  No reason for anyone to realistically expect compensation unless someone is just salty or looking for a handout b/c their minority executive left. The “spirit” of the rule wasn’t affirmative action.  Cunningham isn’t and won’t be the primary decision maker.

What? Wrong 

Matt Ryan says that Ian Cunningham will be the one making the final decisions in the draft and free agency.

Edited 16 hours ago by Soxfest

[fathom]

Am I the only one underwhelmed with the Bears offseason so far?

[WhiteSox2023]

3 hours ago, fathom said:

Am I the only one underwhelmed with the Bears offseason so far?

Banking on draft picks mostly, as usual.

[chw42]

7 hours ago, champagne030 said:

It’s clear Ryan is calling the shots.  No reason for anyone to realistically expect compensation unless someone is just salty or looking for a handout b/c their minority executive left. The “spirit” of the rule wasn’t affirmative action.  Cunningham isn’t and won’t be the primary decision maker.

Matt Ryan has never worked in a front office before this. Maybe he has input on big moves, but Cunningham is clearly running that front office's day to day operations. Matt Ryan has actually said that himself. 

[Kyyle23]

8 hours ago, fathom said:

Am I the only one underwhelmed with the Bears offseason so far?

Considering the cap situation and Dalman retiring, I think this is probably better overall at plugging holes than what I foolishly wanted which was to go all out on Linderbaum or Crosby.  It’s a whelming offseason, not over or under 

[Kyyle23]

4 hours ago, chw42 said:

Matt Ryan has never worked in a front office before this. Maybe he has input on big moves, but Cunningham is clearly running that front office's day to day operations. Matt Ryan has actually said that himself. 

They are trying to say that the bears aren’t getting these picks because they don’t want teams to try and game this scenario.  I just don’t know what to say about that, this wasn’t a mad scientist plan to get the bears a few extra 3rds, this was the league refusing to honor their own offer.  

[SoxAce]

6 hours ago, WhiteSox2023 said:

Banking on draft picks mostly, as usual.

Which they should. And they need to hit on those picks. You get your blue chip guys in the draft. This FA crop was underwhelming as it was and I'm glad they didn't give the Ravens 2 first round picks for an aging, multiple surgeries Crosby.

But I liked the Bryant and Bush signings. Not big names, but they will really help this team especially with their speed. That defense desperately needs to get faster and younger. 

[Quin]

Wondering if any maneuvering brings back Byars, CJGJ or Brisker. I feel like those three not being part of the Day 1 flurry helps the Bears out (or that's just wishful thinking).

Looking forward towards draft: Selfishly, give me Keegan Trost on the O-Line (late rounds), cause he'll be the first NFL player from my high school and also went to Mizzou.

[Kyyle23]

14 minutes ago, Quin said:

Wondering if any maneuvering brings back Byars, CJGJ or Brisker. I feel like those three not being part of the Day 1 flurry helps the Bears out (or that's just wishful thinking).

Looking forward towards draft: Selfishly, give me Keegan Trost on the O-Line (late rounds), cause he'll be the first NFL player from my high school and also went to Mizzou.

I think CJGJ is probably the most likely there and Brisker least.  They just don’t trust Briskers ability to keep that brain safe 

[Tony]

10 hours ago, fathom said:

Am I the only one underwhelmed with the Bears offseason so far?

Thus far, they have plugged holes with seemingly similar players for last season. And there are still more holes to fill. But, when the draft is over, we should all have the expectation that the Bears went out and made this team better during the offseason than it was last year. That should absolutely be the goal, based on where they are at in their timeline. On March 10th, that isn't the case, they are not a better roster than they were last year, but there is still some time. 

 

7 hours ago, WhiteSox2023 said:

Banking on draft picks mostly, as usual.

I assume you mean that as a slight based on your post history, but banking on free agent signings isn't the way successful teams prosper. You don't hit on your draft picks, your team will fail, it's a really simple equation. 

[almagest]

I'd say free agency has gone pretty well. They signed the best safety and linebacker on the market, got a rotational DT, resigned a solid LB option in D'Marco Jackson, and navigated the cap pretty well by keeping first year salary impact low.

They weren't going to make a big splash because they didn't have the cap room to do so with the holes they have. They've filled a number of holes with quality players, and can now draft more for BPA than need.

[southsider2k5]

25 minutes ago, Tony said:

Thus far, they have plugged holes with seemingly similar players for last season. And there are still more holes to fill. But, when the draft is over, we should all have the expectation that the Bears went out and made this team better during the offseason than it was last year. That should absolutely be the goal, based on where they are at in their timeline. On March 10th, that isn't the case, they are not a better roster than they were last year, but there is still some time. 

 

I assume you mean that as a slight based on your post history, but banking on free agent signings isn't the way successful teams prosper. You don't hit on your draft picks, your team will fail, it's a really simple equation. 

Yeah, that draft pick comment was a weird flex.  The NFL is all about hitting homers on your draft picks, probably more so than any other sport with the way it's caps and life span of players works.

[southsider2k5]

19 minutes ago, almagest said:

I'd say free agency has gone pretty well. They signed the best safety and linebacker on the market, got a rotational DT, resigned a solid LB option in D'Marco Jackson, and navigated the cap pretty well by keeping first year salary impact low.

They weren't going to make a big splash because they didn't have the cap room to do so with the holes they have. They've filled a number of holes with quality players, and can now draft more for BPA than need.

Plus they haven't used any cap recaptures to move back money to free up space, which still allows them flexibility going forward.

[Chisoxfn]

1 hour ago, Tony said:

Thus far, they have plugged holes with seemingly similar players for last season. And there are still more holes to fill. But, when the draft is over, we should all have the expectation that the Bears went out and made this team better during the offseason than it was last year. That should absolutely be the goal, based on where they are at in their timeline. On March 10th, that isn't the case, they are not a better roster than they were last year, but there is still some time. 

 

I assume you mean that as a slight based on your post history, but banking on free agent signings isn't the way successful teams prosper. You don't hit on your draft picks, your team will fail, it's a really simple equation. 

I think this all comes down to - how did they do in the draft.  Largely speaking they were swimming upstream in free agency, but I do like that they got a bit younger and faster - both Bryant and Bush are clear starters, still in their prime, and add some speed (in fairness Edmunds was pretty fast (and similar age as Bush - but had a bit more miles).  

The wr room is weaker - so I expect we'll see them do something there, but they clearly have confidence in internal pieces to fill the void as well and I can see that happening (but the players have to step up and make the most of that - looking primarily at Rome and Luther - but great opportunity for Jahdae Walker as well).  I am guessing we may see a 1YR stop-gap come in too, once the market has died down I would think there would be a number of options who might see the Bears as a good place to go. 

Our secondary is still really counting on bounce backs from Gordon / JJ.  That isn't necessarily a bad view - but I expect we'll see another decent size signing targeted here. I'm wondering if they go back to Seahawks well and look at Woolen. Big size and better version of Nashon Wright.  If they don't target him, I could absolutely still see Brisker or Byrad back on a shorter-term deal.  

But it ultimately is going to come down to how do they do in the draft - can they upgrade the dline, secondary and perhaps LB corps a bit there...we'll see.  Will be interesting to see if they end up moving back at 25 and pick up an extra 2nd or 3rd rounder (depending on how far back they move and who is falling)?  I certainly could see them doing that to maximize picks in that range.  

It also seems like Bagent is in play if they can get the right value - whether that is in the off-season or even in-season if a QB gets injured and a team is in need.  Feels like they want at least a 3rd (if not a 2nd) or multiple 3rds' to make something happen.  

[Chisoxfn]

1 hour ago, southsider2k5 said:

Plus they haven't used any cap recaptures to move back money to free up space, which still allows them flexibility going forward.

This is a big deal - I stlil think they are viewing it as - we expect a bit of a step back as the schedule gets harder, with a recognition from BJ and Poles that they still have work to do on the foundations. It appears that is exactly what they are doing - and that they aren't looking for short-term/quick fixes. With that said - a year from now - the hope is they have another good draft (and the young players already on the roster continue to ascend) and you enter next off-season coming off another strong season and are now well positioned to make a "splash" move or two - both from a cap perspective and having your full complement of draft picks.  

[SoxAce]