Latest news with #BradBiggs
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
The Bears Most Underrated Free Agent Signing this Offseason
Buzz has been generating around one unexpected name during the ' training camp: Olamide Zaccheus. The Bears signed the former Washington Commanders wide receiver in free agency on a one-year, $1.5 million contract. Zaccheus had just come off his career-best season with the Commanders. While the move was not a flashy one, many fans felt good about the signing as it would add depth to the position group. However, according to reports from training camp, Zaccheus is adding much more to this offense than just depth. He has been a consistent standout player during camp, making fans and the media alike rethink his role in this offense this upcoming season. Chicago Tribune's Brad Biggs praised Zaccheus' consistency throughout camp, claiming that he could be a 'sneaky good addition to the offense.' Biggs named him the surprise player of camp so far. When asked which pass catchers he trusts at this point in a recent press conference, Head Coach Ben Johnson named Zaccheus as one of them, along with Cole Kmet, DJ Moore, and Rome Odunze, potentially signaling that Zaccheus will be an offensive focal point in the '25 season. Johnson states, 'I think OZ (Olamide Zaccheaus) is doing a great job of being where he's supposed to be and he's being a professional about it…I would say throughout the course of spring and camp so far, those are the four that I'd bring up first.' Zaccheus has not only made an impression on Johnson, but he's also been a standout to fans and the Bears media. BearReport's Zack Pearson, Marc Silverman of ESPN 1000, and others have commented on Zaccheus' performance during camp so far as he has been getting a considerable amount of reps. He's been making plays every day of camp and building chemistry with starting quarterback Caleb Williams. The Bears joint practice with the Miami Dolphins was no different as Zaccheus connected with Williams for a 70-yard touchdown. Overall, Zaccheus has been a reliable, consistent, and hard-working player who will provide some stability to a new offense and act as a go-to target for the second-year quarterback. He will definitely be a player you will want to keep your eyes on. Do you think Zaccheus will earn the WR3 spot over second-round draft pick Luther Burden III?
USA Today
07-08-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Bears RT Darnell Wright exits practice with apparent injury
Chicago Bears right tackle Darnell Wright left Thursday's training camp practice with an apparent injury, according to Chicago Tribune's Brad Biggs. According to Biggs, Wright "came up awkward" during the final team period of Thursday's non-padded practice ahead of Friday's joint workout with the Miami Dolphins. More to come. Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
USA Today
29-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Recapping Day 5 of Chicago Bears training camp
The Chicago Bears were back at Halas Hall for their fifth practice of training camp on Monday morning, where there were still plenty of notable headlines and standouts. The Bears were in pads for the first time during training camp, which is when the real evaluation begins for roster spots and position battles. According to Brad Biggs, practice lasted roughly two hours in "sweltering humidity" where there was a "major emphasis on run game" with "some of the pass stuff was 1/2 speed or 2/3 speed, so not a lot to go off of." Let's recap Day 5 of Bears training camp: What we learned Standouts Injury updates While Luther Burden III made his return to practice, the Bears are still without rookie defensive tackle Shemar Turner (ankle), rookie cornerback Zah Frazier (personal) and offensive lineman Doug Kramer. But there was some reassuring news with Kramer, who suffered a leg injury near the end of Saturday's practice. While he didn't participate on Monday, he was dubbed "day-to-day." In Kramer's absence, rookie Luke Newman got the work with the backup offensive line at center. Meanwhile, newly-signed defensive end Tanoh Kpassagnon was carted off with apparent hand/wrist injury. Also, offensive lineman Bill Murray came off the field limping with an apparent left knee injury, which is something to monitor. Highlights Pads. On. 🔥 Luther Burden was back today and did some individual drills but did not do team drills. #Bears First Full Padded Practice and Coach Johnson Wants to See How this O Line Looks 👀 #Bears WR DJ Moore with a double pass to Caleb Williams👀 Press conferences What's next The Bears are back on the practice field on Tuesday morning at 8:30 a.m. CT for their sixth practice of training camp. It marks the third open practice of the summer, where fans will be out in Halas Hall at full force. Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
Chicago Tribune
22-04-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
What is the Chicago Bears' biggest need? Who would be the top prize at No. 10? 4 NFL draft questions.
NFL draft week finally has arrived. General manager Ryan Poles and coach Ben Johnson have spoken optimistically about what the Chicago Bears can accomplish, particularly with four selections in the top 72. As the plans come together in Lake Forest and the Bears ready for another pivotal period in their offseason, Tribune writers Brad Biggs, Sean Hammond and Dan Wiederer offer their perspective and insight on four key topics in fill-in-the-blank format. 1. The Bears' biggest need going into draft weekend is ____. Brad Biggs: An impact player at No. 10. Yes, they need a left tackle to compete for the job with Braxton Jones still rehabilitating from ankle surgery and Kiran Amegadjie an unknown after a rookie season clouded by his own rehab process. But if there isn't one to select in the first round — and there's a decent chance LSU's Will Campbell will be off the board — the Bears can't create a player who isn't there. They have enough needs and wants at other positions where they can create competition and add talent. Whether that's on the defensive line, in the secondary, elsewhere on the offensive line or at running back or tight end, there's space for an upgrade. The pick needs to be a hit for a team that, since 2008, has had only three first-round picks selected to the Pro Bowl (not added as an alternate): linebacker Roquan Smith, cornerback Kyle Fuller and guard Kyle Long. Sean Hammond: The offensive line. The Bears landed three new starters on the interior in March. That doesn't mean they should be content. Jones needed surgery on his left ankle in the offseason. While he has started 40 games at left tackle over the last three years, it remains debatable whether he's the long-term answer on Caleb Williams' blind side. If Poles and Johnson can address the left tackle spot in a big way during the draft, they would feel really good about the group they've assembled in one offseason. Dan Wiederer: Line depth on both sides of the ball. Sure, the Bears did a masterful job of fortifying the interior of the offensive line in March, buying themselves flexibility to navigate the draft with eyes scanning in all directions. But finding a starter at left tackle — or at least heightened competition for Jones — sure would be nice. Poles and Johnson also understand the need to accumulate quality depth up front and should operate accordingly. Additionally, the defensive line could use more teeth. Dennis Allen's push to juice up the pass rush will include a focus on adding players both on the edge and inside. The Bears should aim by Saturday night to have at least two new linemen who can make an early and significant impact in 2025. 2. The Bears should be crossing their fingers that they can select ____ at No. 10. Biggs: Will Campbell or Ashton Jeanty. There's probably a better chance both players are off the board before then — and perhaps in the top six selections — but if they're going to cross their fingers, there's nothing wrong with dreaming big. Campbell could be plugged in at left tackle immediately, and Boise State running back Jeanty would be a terrific weapon for Johnson. Landing either would enhance the offense for Williams in his second season. Let's assume Campbell and Jeanty are not available for the Bears. In that scenario, folks around the league say Halas Hall is open for business and the team would be interested in trading down with the belief that the strength of the draft is rooted in Day 2 depth. If the Houston Texans are set on landing a left tackle, would they be willing to trade the Nos. 25, 58 (Round 2) and 89 (Round 3) picks to move up to 10 for Texas left tackle Kelvin Banks? Draft trade charts say that compensation would be a little light for the Bears, but if it's a buyer's market, would that be enough for Poles to move? Hammond: Will Campbell. Cross the fingers. Knock on wood. Say a prayer. Do whatever you need to do because it probably won't happen. Campbell looks like the best left tackle in the draft. That probably means he will be long gone by the time No. 10 rolls around. The New England Patriots at No. 4 or New York Jets at No. 7 are strong possibilities to select a tackle. Perhaps another team is in the mix too. The Bears should be hoping other teams are scared off by Campbell's shorter-than-ideal arms. Assuming Campbell is gone by the 10th pick, Banks looks like he could be a good fit at left tackle. Of course, if Jeanty is still available, the Bears need to consider him. Wiederer: Mason Graham. As we talked about above, the effort to strengthen the defensive line should be concerted this week. And if Graham somehow falls to No. 10, the Bears should be ecstatic. The two-time All-America defensive tackle from Michigan has a high-level feel for the game and football character that's off the charts. Graham's background as a standout high school wrestler is also notable in the way he understands leverage and plays to his strengths. It's difficult to find players with the combination of power, balance and instincts Graham has. He would be a Day 1 starter with the potential to be a difference maker well into the 2030s. 3. Through his first three drafts, general manager Ryan Poles' performance has been ____. Biggs: OK. Make no mistake, Williams' future is likely to define Poles' tenure. If he's a hit, it will be so much easier for other things to fall into place. If not, the Bears will be scrambling in less time than you might imagine. It's a little premature to make full judgments on defensive tackle Gervon Dexter and cornerback Tyrique Stevenson, second-round picks in 2023. If they take off, that would make the first three drafts look productive. But they need to elevate their games for the new coaching staff this season. Getting Jones in Round 5 in 2022 was a shrewd move, but the Bears need more Day 2 and Day 3 hits. Hammond: A learning experience. There's still a chance the answer could be 'foundation-setting,' but the jury remains out on many of his top picks, most notably Williams. If you get the quarterback right, that solves a lot of problems. This will be a big season for Williams, and Poles has a lot riding on the young quarterback's shoulders. Poles, who was 36 when he took over in 2022, has had a few years to learn on the job. All of his first- and second-round selections remain on the team and have the potential to be significant contributors, if not foundational pieces. The counterargument is Poles' success rate once he hits Round 3 (Velus Jones Jr., Zacch Pickens and Kiran Amegadjie) doesn't look quite as promising. Beyond that, it's easy to nitpick Day 3 picks. To some extent, those are all dart throws. Wiederer: Subpar. The Bears have been celebrating this month's contract extension for cornerback Kyler Gordon, who was Poles' first draft pick in Round 2 in 2022. And that excitement is understandable. Gordon was a promising prospect who has developed into an impact playmaker and now is under contract through 2028. But of the other 25 players Poles has taken in his first three drafts, it's hard to say definitively whether more than two or three will become second-contract players with the Bears. Five players from Poles' initial draft class are gone, including Velus Jones, who was a massive miss as a third-round selection. And it's arguable that Poles hasn't had an impact hit outside of the top 40 picks. (Braxton Jones may be the lone candidate.) Simply put, after promising to build a championship contender through the draft, Poles hasn't built much. This is a pivotal draft to change that. 4. When it comes to upgrading his offense, new coach Ben Johnson should be pushing for ____. Biggs: A potential No. 1 running back who can pair well with D'Andre Swift. Fortunately for the Bears, this is a terrific class of running backs to consider, and they should be well-positioned to add one with three Day 2 picks: two in the second round and one in the third. It's a bonus when needs align with strengths in the draft, and Johnson should feel confident about the prospect of bolstering the backfield. Hammond: Whatever makes life easier for Williams. I made my opinion pretty clear above. Left tackle is a key spot. At the same time, if you want to argue that the Bears need to draft a playmaker at No. 10, you could talk me into it. Is Tyler Warren the type of tight end who would allow Johnson's play-calling creativity to flourish and give Williams a rock-solid target? If the answer is yes, then I would understand the move. Or if Jeanty is there and he's too good to pass up? Go for it. But if the Bears do that, they better be darn sure they get it right. The offense needs a good player who will be reliable for the quarterback, whether he's blocking on the blind side or catching passes. Wiederer: Weaponry. We've acknowledged the push to add to the offensive line. But the Bears also would be well-served to add multiple weapons to Johnson's attack. Yes, they have plenty of established playmakers with DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, Cole Kmet and Swift. But all three of those positions — wide receiver, tight end and running back — need to be strengthened. Running back may be the Bears' biggest need. And as fate would have it, this running back draft class has been cast as one of the deepest and most talented in recent memory. Dreams of a union with Jeanty in Round 1 are understandable. He's on a fast track to becoming an NFL star. But even if the Bears wait until Friday, terrific backfield options should be available at Nos. 39 and 41, potentially including Ohio State's TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins, Iowa's Kaleb Johnson, Arizona State's Cam Skattebo and Central Florida's RJ Harvey.
Chicago Tribune
05-03-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Chicago Bears Q&A: What's a best-case scenario for free agency? How do you rate the Jonah Jackson trade?
With the new NFL year — and the official opening of free agency — only a week away, the Chicago Bears' offseason roster building is about to kick into high gear. What would an ideal free-agency period look like? Who are some potential targets? And what effect would that have on the team's draft plans? The Tribune's Brad Biggs answers all of that and more in his weekly Bears mailbag. What is a best-case scenario for the Bears in free agency? — Lucas H., Crystal Lake The negotiating window opens Monday and the Bears are seventh in the NFL with $61.4 million in salary-cap room, according to after agreeing Tuesday to trade with the Los Angeles Rams for guard Jonah Jackson. The have a host of needs, primarily on the offensive and defensive lines, and the first order of business will be aligning the coaches' vision with potential fits in free agency. As you are well aware, the Bears have mostly been relatively active to very active in free agency over the last decade and have little to show in the win column for their 'victories' in March. The best signing in that period was defensive tackle Akiem Hicks, whom they signed to a two-year, $10 million contract in 2016. It wasn't a banner signing at the time, but he turned into a dominant player for the Bears. So my first point is often the best signings in free agency aren't the ones collecting the largest paydays. Let's start with some key points: 1. A lot of teams have a lot of cap space to burn. Eleven teams — more than one-third of the league — have more than $50 million in room. That includes two division rivals: the Minnesota Vikings ($63.7 million, sixth in the league) and Detroit Lions ($52.7 million, 11th). The Green Bay Packers, who rank 13th with $48.8 million, often are conservative in free agency but made two home-run moves a year ago by adding running back Josh Jacobs and safety Xavier McKinney. Nineteen teams have more than $34 million in cap space, so more than half of the league has plenty of operating room. 2. It's not a great year when you scan the list of available free agents. There are some good players, but elite performers rarely reach the open market in the prime years of their career. As I wrote last week coming out of the scouting combine, the Bears have signed only three unrestricted free agents since the advent of free agency in 1993 who were named to multiple Pro Bowls with the team. 3. After the move to acquire Jackson, the Bears need more help on the interior of the offensive line — another guard and a center — a starting defensive end opposite Montez Sweat and more depth on the interior of the defensive line. 4. Not all of that help has to come via free agency. I believe the free-agency plan probably starts with Atlanta Falcons center Drew Dalman. It's a position the Bears have had difficulty filling, and the center crop in the draft is pretty thin. Dalman is smart — he played at Stanford — and has good tape. It's unlikely he would be a free agent if the Falcons weren't one of the few teams pressed against the salary cap. Dalman won't be cheap. He'll have suitors, and supply and demand probably puts a contract for him somewhere between the league's two highest-paid centers — Creed Humphrey of the Kansas City Chiefs ($18 million) and Frank Ragnow of the Lions ($13.5 million) — in terms of annual average. If the Bears can add Dalman with Jackson in the fold (the trade won't be official until the new league year starts), they would have all sorts of flexibility for the other guard position. They could add a more modestly priced veteran, wait until the draft or do both. After Dalman, you need to focus the defensive line. The Bears don't have a starter opposite Sweat. They hope Austin Booker can take a step forward in his second season as a rotational player, but they need talent and depth on the line. There aren't a ton of options, and unless they land an end such as Dayo Odeyingbo of the Indianapolis Colts or Josh Sweat of the Philadelphia Eagles, you could be looking at a bridge signing whom they're comfortable with for maybe two seasons. Khalil Mack, Malcolm Koonce, Azeez Ojulari, Joseph Assai and Patrick Jones fit that category. If the Bears are shopping for an interior defensive lineman to pair with Gervon Dexter and Andrew Billings, you're probably looking at Milton Williams (really expensive), B.J. Hill, Javon Hargrave, Javon Kinlaw or maybe Levi Onwuzurike, whom coach Ben Johnson knows from the Lions. If general manager Ryan Poles can add a center in free agency and a defensive end who can play 650 snaps or more, the Bears would have filled two big needs and have more flexibility looking ahead to the draft. In a best-case scenario, the Bears have Dalman and a solid end a week from today, and then they can look to fill other areas with more modestly priced additions. I still believe if they're going to rebuild the offensive line the right way, the plan has to include a high draft pick. The Bears will pay Jonah Jackson $17.5 million a year. That seems like a ton to pay a guy who did not even start on his own team last year. What do you think of this trade? — Mike F., Chicago The first thing to understand is this is a move that Ben Johnson, without question, gave his stamp of approval. There's no way the Bears would have traded a sixth-round draft pick for Jackson unless Johnson endorsed the move. Jackson, a Pro Bowl selection in 2021, spent his first four seasons in Detroit, so Johnson knows what kind of player he is on the field and what kind of teammate he is in the locker room. Something went very awry last season for Jackson with the Rams. There's no getting around that. He suffered a shoulder injury in training camp, aggravated it during the season, spent time on injured reserve and then was benched. He played in only four games (two starts at center, one at left guard and one at right guard) after the Rams signed him to a three-year, $51 million contract in free agency a year ago, and generally when a team bails on a high-priced free agent after only one season, something has gone badly. Some will view this as a red flag. Others will see a yellow flag, and the Bears, with Johnson's knowledge, are going to trust their coach. Here's what I know: Two teams I reached Tuesday really liked Jackson a year ago when he entered free agency. 'Weird deal in Los Angeles,' one player personnel director texted. 'I don't have any idea what happened there. He's a good player. I've always liked him. They didn't have to give up much and with only two years remaining on the deal, it's not like they're tied down with him.' 'High grade on him a year ago,' a pro personnel director texted. 'Really good run blocker. Much better at guard than center.' Jackson, 28, is due a $9 million base salary this season and an $8.5 million roster bonus on March 14, the third day of the league year. His 2026 base salary is also $9 million with an $8 million roster bonus due on the third day of the league year. So you're looking at $34.5 million for two seasons, or the Bears could move on from Jackson after this season at $17.5 million and have nothing on the books in 2026. The trade tells me the Bears are more comfortable with Jackson at $17.25 million a year than they are investing in the guard market in free agency. There aren't a lot of top targets — Aaron Banks and Will Fries are at the top of the list — and many teams have both need and cap flexibility. So the Bears flipped a pick for a player their coach has confidence in, and they get cost certainty as opposed to engaging in a bidding war in which the market could escalate beyond their comfort level. Signing Banks or Fries or one of the other free-agent options likely would have cap implications beyond 2026 too. This fills one-third of the Bears' needs on the offensive line. Where they project Jackson to play is unknown, but the vast majority of his experience in Detroit came at left guard. His addition gives them a little more flexibility entering free agency. Is it a mistake to take Ashton Jeanty at No. 10? — @jaychi_bears 'Mistake' might not be the right word. Jeanty is super talented and looks like the kind of player who will enjoy a really productive NFL career. He was a lot of fun to watch at Boise State with a powerful lower body and great contact balance and vision. The question I would have about Jeanty — before we get into the Bears' specific needs — is how productive he can be in the passing game. The running back has made a comeback in the NFL, especially last season, with so many defenses leaning on two-high shells to prevent big plays. We'll have to wait and see if the trend continues, and the Bears certainly figure to take a close look at the position in this draft class. That being said, the 10th pick is rich territory for a running back unless you're talking about one who can be a dual threat along the lines of Saquon Barkley, Bijan Robinson, a healthy Christian McCaffrey or even Jahmyr Gibbs. If teams believe Jeanty has that kind of ability, it's not a stretch to consider him in the range around No. 10. Jeanty caught 23 passes last season, when he was the runner-up in Heisman Trophy voting, and had 43 catches in 2023 with a 13.2-yard average. Numbers alone won't tell the full story of Jeanty as a receiver, but you have to take a close look at his impact in the passing game if you're thinking about drafting him that high. I suspect teams will have varying opinions regarding his overall ability as more than just a runner. It's hard to envision the Bears filling all of their needs on the offensive and defensive lines in free agency to give them the leeway to make what could be viewed as a bit of a luxury selection in Jeanty. Everyone agrees the offensive line needs a serious makeover. If that's done only via free agency, you're going to be talking about a short-term fix at a position or two. The Bears are so far away from a team like the Eagles on the defensive line that it would take multiple offseasons to build up that group to an elite level. Ryan Poles can and should get a head start on addressing needs in the trenches via free agency, but as I detailed above, free agency generally isn't where you find stars who will galvanize the depth chart. Poles has to add more pieces via the draft to actually transform the roster. There's no short cut to accomplish this, and if you're of the mind the Bears can plug enough holes on the lines to be in a position to draft Jeanty, I think you're trying to create one. Remember, this is a deep, deep draft at running back, and there will be great options on Day 2 and good ones on Day 3. Even if the Bears do evaluate Jeanty as a multidimensional offensive weapon, you'll have a hard time convincing me they would go with someone other than an offensive or defensive lineman with the 10th pick. Maybe things will look differently in two weeks, but I doubt it. The needs are clear and obvious. There should be strong options available. If draft value matches up with needs, don't overthink it. The goal for the Bears in free agency has to be to get to a spot where they can draft the best player available. It's what everyone talks about. I believe the Bears can add an exciting running back in later rounds after fortifying areas that can't be overlooked or filled simply via free agency. What running back in the draft best fits what Ben Johnson is looking for? — Rick C., Lemont We're doing some guesswork here when it comes to what Johnson will be seeking in a running back. He has spoken positively about D'Andre Swift, and a natural complement would be a more physical back who can be a tone setter. If you're using the Lions as an example, the Bears have a poor man's Jahmyr Gibbs in Swift. They need their own version of David Montgomery, the former Bear. Ashton Jeanty, as discussed above, would fill that role. I just have a hard time believing the Bears will be in a position where they can use a first-round pick on a running back for the first time since selecting Cedric Benson out of Texas in 2005. North Carolina's Omarion Hampton would be a perfect fit, but he might come off the board in Round 1. Both Ohio State running backs are talented, but Quinshon Judkins is more of a physical pounder than TreVeyon Henderson. Kansas' Devin Neal profiles as a downhill runner with a nice combination of size and speed. Possible Day 3 picks could include Central Florida's R.J. Harvey and Oklahoma State's Ollie Gordon II. It probably would depend on how the Bears evaluate Iowa's Kaleb Johnson. Some I chatted with compared him loosely to Matt Forte as a glider and a long, galloping runner. Forte was a tremendous player for the Bears, but you wouldn't call him a thumper if that's what you're seeking. Those are just a few names, and we can get into other talented backs as the draft gets closer. What would be the cost of trading for Trey Hendrickson assuming he's the odd man out in Cincinnati? Would it be wise given his age and his impressive production the past few seasons? — @brewsandtattoo The cost you need to be thinking about is what it would take to sign Hendrickson, 30, to the new contract he desires. He's entering the final year of his deal and is set to earn $15.8 million in base salary with another $200,000 in per-game roster bonuses. Hendrickson wants a raise, and if the Bengals can't hammer out an extension with him, he could be available in a trade. Hendrickson led the NFL with 17½ sacks last season and has 35 over the last two seasons. He has been remarkably consistent in Cincinnati with 57 sacks in 65 games over the last four years. The Bengals originally signed Hendrickson as a free agent in 2021 to a four-year, $60 million contract. They tacked on one more season in 2023, adding another $21 million. Now he has outperformed the deal and is seeking to be paid like the top edge rushers. Five edge rushers currently average $25 million or more per season, and the Bears' Montez Sweat is tied for sixth at $24.5 million. I'd have to imagine Hendrickson wants to be somewhere in the top five. If the Bengals are forced into a corner where they don't have the resources (or desire) to pay Hendrickson what he's seeking, the actual trade compensation to acquire him probably wouldn't be over the top. The Bengals have said they want to keep him and they should. But they have some highly talented offensive players they need to take care of as well, including wide receiver Tee Higgins, who was franchise tagged Monday. They also have to pay wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase. I'm of the opinion, and it might not be a popular one, that the Bears need to move away from trading for players who are getting new, top-of-the-market contracts. They'd be in a much better position if they could pay a 26-year-old in free agency like the Bengals did with Hendrickson in 2021. That way they would be buying the best years of a player entering his prime without forking over a draft pick. Even better, of course, would be drafting an edge rusher who develops into a dominant force. I've covered this topic for some time. The Bears, for the better part of the last two decades, have struggled to develop homegrown pass rushers. At this point, with Hendrickson on the wrong side of 30 and having played 110 career games, you're eventually going to start getting diminished returns on the investment. Are the Bears, coming off a five-win season, really in a position where they should write a premium contract for a 30-year-old pass rusher? They're in Year 1 under Ben Johnson, and I don't know that they would be eager to flip a draft pick, even a mid-round selection, to then pay huge money to a pass rusher entering his ninth season. That doesn't make sense to me. Credit the Bengals for identifying and signing Hendrickson after a breakout season in 2020 for the New Orleans Saints. They've reaped the benefits, and Hendrickson has earned a raise with his play. The Bears would have to feel comfortable that he would remain an elite performer for the next three seasons to consider this. Hendrickson is a hell of a player, but you'll have a hard time convincing me the Bears are at a point where it makes good sense to spend big on a player who is 30. If you're talking about a player who is 30 or older, I think the Bears are better off targeting a free agent on a more modest contract that's ideally no longer than two years, three tops. That way draft capital isn't involved and they could move on relatively quickly. That move ideally would coincide with the point where they have a young player on a rookie deal emerging to play a key role. That's if they don't find a free-agent fit with a younger player receiving a second contract. One really interesting player is Dayo Odeyingbo. A second-round pick by the Colts out of Vanderbilt in 2021, he has great length at 6-foot-6, 286 pounds. He hasn't missed a game in the last three seasons and has 16 sacks in that span. His name was hot last week at the scouting combine when I chatted with folks from different teams, but no one has a firm idea what the market for the 25-year-old Odeyingbo will look like. The range I got was all over the place, leading me to believe a big deal could be awaiting him. I'm a little curious about Malcolm Koonce and Joseph Ossai, two younger players entering free agency. Koonce, 26, missed all of last season for the Las Vegas Raiders with a knee injury suffered in training camp, but he had eight sacks and 29 pressures in 2023. If his medical status checks out, he's interesting. Ossai turns 25 next month and is coming off a five-sack season for the Bengals. Former Bear Khalil Mack, 34, likely would appeal to defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, who was head coach of the Raiders when they drafted Mack with the No. 5 pick in 2014. What free agents from the Lions (coach Ben Johnson), Broncos (offensive coordinator Declan Doyle) and Saints (defensive coordinator Dennis Allen) are the Bears most likely to pursue? — @mmesq11 It would make sense if the Bears land a few free agents with whom coaches have experience. I think wide receiver Tim Patrick (Lions) is a good fit. The Bears could get a No. 3 receiver with experience playing for Johnson without having to pay too much. The 6-4, 212-pound Patrick would be comfortable doing the dirty work in the running game and running routes in the middle of the field. Another Lion who could be a potential fit is veteran guard Kevin Zeitler, although he turns 35 on Saturday and there's at least a decent chance the Bears will eye the draft for a starting guard after acquiring Jonah Jackson. Swing tackle Dan Skipper is a possibility. He has had three stints on the Lions roster, so you wonder if he's content remaining in Detroit. As I mentioned earlier, defensive tackle Levi Onwuzurike is another possibility. I'm not sure the Broncos have any offensive free agents who would be a good fit for the Bears. As for the Saints, defensive end Chase Young will be on the market. The Bears didn't have a lot of interest in him when the Washington Commanders were trying to trade him in 2023 and the Bears focused on Montez Sweat instead. Young had 5½ sacks last season and at this point has more name recognition than production. After a series of health setbacks, he missed only one game over the last two seasons, but I'm not sure Young fits what the Bears are trying to build. The Saints' Juwan Johnson is the top free-agent tight end, and Allen would be able to provide a scouting report on him. He has the ability to help as a receiver and a blocker. I think the Bears will reimagine this position around Cole Kmet with a free agent and a draft pick, but I'm not sure if that plan would include paying Johnson upward of $8 million per season. That's just a guess on his pay range. What is the status of Kiran Amegadjie? Do the Bears view him as a possible starter or do they regard him as a backup? — Norman G. Amegadjie played 125 snaps as a rookie with more than half of those coming in his lone start in Week 15 at Minnesota. He was put into a difficult spot on the road against a talented front that does a lot to disguise where pressure is coming from, and he struggled. I've gotten questions all offseason about the third-round pick from Yale, and folks want a definitive answer on where he is and what his role will be. I can't imagine anyone would want the new offensive coaching staff to come in with preconceived notions about the players in place, especially on the line and including Amegadjie. He wasn't able to participate in the offseason program last year and missed training camp and the preseason while recovering from surgery to repair his quadriceps. What I can tell you is the Bears weren't the only team intrigued by him going into the draft last year, and if they're going to offer all players a clean slate with a new staff and system, you can understand why it's impossible to answer this question. Every coaching staff talks about letting players compete for positions. Sometimes it happens, sometimes it doesn't. I would venture to guess the Bears will have some real competition, especially at certain positions, including left tackle. It's impossible to say what Amegadjie's trajectory will be after such a small sample size during his rookie season and considering the time he missed. Now a new staff is in place. Why don't we let them start at square one and see where it goes? What restricted free agents will be tendered? — @scott_a_miller The right-of-first-refusal tender is $3.263 million, and I'm not sure if the Bears will wind up using that on any of their restricted free agents. Candidates for a tender include defensive tackle Chris Williams and cornerback Josh Blackwell. Williams is the most logical candidate because linemen are always in demand. It's possible the Bears would work to find middle ground with these players on a contract that's worth less than the tender but more than the minimum. These RFA tenders aren't guaranteed, so the team could add a guarantee to a multiyear contract in order to get a deal done. Maybe something like a two-year contract worth $5 million with, say, $2 million guaranteed. I fully expect the Bears to bring back exclusive-rights free agent Daniel Hardy, as the defensive end was one of their most productive players on special teams. Other players who are exclusive include defensive tackle Jonathan Ford and guard Bill Murray. It's possible they return as well. Is there a substantial upgrade to the training staff pertaining to strength/conditioning and injury? — @josemulero5 The Bears were relatively healthy last season. Strong safety Jaquan Brisker missed most of the season with a concussion, but that's not a strength or conditioning issue. Defensive tackle Andrew Billings missed half the season with a torn pectoral muscle, and left tackle Braxton Jones had a knee issue and then suffered a broken leg, but the latter came at the end of the season. A lot of folks thought the change in head strength and conditioning coach was due to health, but the Bears largely avoided serious injuries last season. They wound up elevating assistant Pierre Ngo to head strength and conditioning coach. In the NFLPA survey released last week, players graded the weight room at Halas Hall an A, the strength coaches a B-plus and the training staff a B. I'm not aware of any changes to the training staff. It seemed to me the coverage on punts was terrible last year. Did the numbers bear that out? — @barrymotivates The Bears finished 20th in the league in punt coverage as opponents averaged 10.3 yards per return. That was close to where they finished in net punting average: 19th at 41.6 yards. You definitely don't want to give up an average of a first down on punt returns so they will look to improve on that, but I wouldn't characterize it as terrible. It's worth noting that while the average was higher than they would like, the longest return they allowed was 27 yards, so it's not like they got hit for a touchdown. They weren't far from the middle of the pack. The Buffalo Bills ranked 16th at 9.3 yards. Punter Tory Taylor was a rookie and got better as the year went along. He has a very strong leg and there were definitely a few instances when he outkicked the coverage. I think he will be improved in his second season. Special teams units will aim to allow less than 7 yards per return.
