Column: After adding 5 new starters, Chicago Bears GM Ryan Poles can wait for prices to fall in free agency
The Chicago Bears were one of the more active teams Monday, agreeing to terms with four players just three days after general manager Ryan Poles traded the No. 1 draft pick to the Carolina Panthers for a package that includes wide receiver D.J. Moore. Moore and weak-side linebacker Tremaine Edmunds are the highest-profile of the group, which also includes middle...
The money didn’t stop flowing Tuesday, but the action was much more subdued than the day before, when the NFL’s negotiating window opened — all leading to the start of free agency at 3 p.m. Wednesday.
The Chicago Bears were one of the more active teams Monday, agreeing to terms with four players just three days after general manager Ryan Poles traded the No. 1 draft pick to the Carolina Panthers for a package that includes wide receiver D.J. Moore.
Add it all up and even before the new league year begins the Bears have five new starters — and likely will be seeking another five or six. Moore and weak-side linebacker Tremaine Edmunds are the highest-profile of the group, which also includes middle linebacker T.J. Edwards, guard Nate Davis and defensive end DeMarcus Walker.
It’s neither surprising nor alarming the Bears didn’t have more additions Tuesday after Poles and coach Matt Eberflus spent the morning at Northwestern’s pro day, where they were able to get a look at left tackle Peter Skoronski, defensive tackle Adetomiwa Adebawore, running back Evan Hull and others.
The market resets after the opening flurry of free-agent deals, and sometimes it takes a few days for players who expected to be in the first wave to wrap their minds around getting less than they were hoping. Poles repeatedly mentioned seeking “value” when talking about free agency two weeks ago at the scouting combine.
Teams spend time re-evaluating their needs and determining where the market is, and remember, this was considered a down year for free agency as a whole. The Bears dished out contracts totaling $142.5 million to the four new players, and with Moore owed $52.265 million over the next three years, that’s nearly $195 million committed in a short span.
The additions plus the re-signing of long snapper Patrick Scales to a one-year, $1,317,500 contract leaves the Bears with a little less than $45 million in salary-cap space. It’s plenty of room for Poles to maneuver in any direction he chooses.
What spots do the Bears need to fill between now and the conclusion of the draft? Right tackle, center, an edge rusher (maybe two), at least one defensive tackle (probably two) and a cornerback. That’s just a list of pressing needs. If David Montgomery departs — a source said Tuesday that multiple teams are involved — a running back to share chores with Khalil Herbert becomes a need. Then the Bears have to start compiling a list of wants.
The prices players were seeking will begin to fall as the week unfolds, and quality veterans will be cast off by other teams in the weeks and months ahead. The Bears need to remain cap-flexible to be decisive if they see a fit reach the open market.
It’s worth wondering if the Bears are motivated to land one defensive tackle in free agency. Sheldon Rankins, A’Shawn Robinson, Poona Ford and Greg Gaines are options. Signing one starting tackle would give Poles depth and more flexibility when it comes to the No. 9 pick.
The Bears have to make investments up front if they want their splurge on Edmunds and Edwards to pay off. Linebackers can make only so many plays if they’re not protected by defensive linemen.
It’s easy to remember none of the reported agreements is official until contracts are signed. The Bears ran into that with defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi at this time last year, when a medical exam unraveled his deal. Ogunjobi just re-signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Bears figure to have their new players get physicals between Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning.
By then, maybe they’ll have another addition or two at their price.
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