In his second offseason with the Chicago Bears, primary supervisor Ryan Poles has had a great deal of salary-cap space to help him rework a roster that accomplished 3-14 in 2022.
The Tribune is monitoring your complete Bears’ arrivals and departures and providing notion into what they suggest.
Thursday
The Bears signed defensive end Rasheem Green to a one-year contract.
What it means: The Bears added needed help to their transfer rush with the 6-foot-4, 279-pound Inexperienced, who will flip 26 in Might.
Inexperienced was a Seattle Seahawks third-round select in 2018. He had 94 tackles, 12 tackles for a loss, 13½ sacks, 27 quarterback hits, three pressured fumbles and 6 passes defended over 4 seasons in Seattle. His best season acquired right here in 2021 when he had 6½ sacks, 15 quarterback hits and 4 passes defended.
He spent remaining season with the Houston Texans and had 3½ sacks and eight quarterback hits in 16 video video games.
Inexperienced joins a bunch of Bears defensive ends that options newcomer DeMarcus Walker and returnees Trevis Gipson and Dominique Robinson.
March 30
The Bears are re-signing backup quarterback Nathan Peterman, NFL Network reported.
What it means: Peterman was the Bears’ third-string quarterback in 2022 behind Justin Fields and Trevor Siemian. He carried out in three video video games and made his solely start throughout the season finale in the direction of the Minnesota Vikings. In these three appearances, he completed 14 of 25 passes for 139 yards, a touchdown and an interception.
Peterman, 28, has carried out in 13 video video games with three teams since he was drafted by the Buffalo Payments throughout the fifth spherical in 2017,
The Bears launched Siemian on March 16 and signed new backup quarterback P.J. Walker, who carried out in 15 video video games with seven begins over the previous three seasons with the Carolina Panthers.
March 23
The Bears launched the signing of veteran linebacker Dylan Cole.
What it means: Cole initiatives as a depth piece, an expert defensive participant who figures to moreover slot in as a core specific teams contributor.
The Bears had been full of life in replenishing the linebacking corps throughout the first week of free firm, signing every Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Walker as starters. Now they’re fortifying the second line of the depth chart and get an expert veteran in Cole, an undrafted free agent out of Missouri State in 2017.
Cole spent his first 4 seasons with the Houston Texans and the ultimate two with the Tennessee Titans. He started eight video video games remaining season and has career totals of 104 tackles, two sacks, two interceptions, 9 passes defensed, 10 tackles for loss, one pressured fumble and one fumble restoration.
March 16
The Bears are signing tight end Robert Tonyan to a one-year deal, a provide confirmed.
What it means: Tonyan, who’s from McHenry, joins the Bears after participating in in 68 video video games over 5 seasons with the Inexperienced Bay Packers. After moving into the league with the Detroit Lions as an undrafted rookie out of Indiana State in 2017, the 6-foot-5, 237-pound tight end totaled 137 catches for 1,437 yards and 17 touchdowns in Inexperienced Bay.
Tonyan’s best season was in 2020, when he had 52 catches for 586 yards and 11 touchdowns. In 17 video video games in 2022, he had 53 catches for 470 yards and two touchdowns.
Tonyan, 28, offers one different good purpose for quarterback Justin Fields in a good ends room that returns fourth-year participant Cole Kmet. Tonyan has familiarity with Bears offensive coordinator Luke Getsy from their time collectively in Inexperienced Bay.
Tonyan carried out quarterback for lots of his youthful life until altering to huge receiver in college.
The Bears are signing working once more D’Onta Foreman to a one-year deal, ESPN reported.
What it means: Foreman, who will possible be 27 in April, is changing into a member of the Bears off a career season with the Carolina Panthers throughout which he had 203 carries for 914 yards and 5 touchdowns. Earlier than that, he had 661 dashing yards and three touchdowns in 15 video video games over two seasons with the Tennessee Titans. He began his career as a Houston Texans third-round select in 2017.
Foreman’s deal reportedly is for one 12 months and $3 million.
The Bears usher in Foreman after their former prime working once more, David Montgomery, signed a three-year care for the Detroit Lions.
Foreman joins a working backs room that options third-year participant Khalil Herbert, who had 129 carries for 731 yards and 4 touchdowns remaining season. The Bears this week moreover signed working once more/specific teamer Travis Homer.
The Bears launched backup quarterback Trevor Siemian.
What it means: Siemian, 31, was the backup to starting quarterback Justin Fields in 2022.
He carried out in two video video games and made one start in November in the direction of the New York Jets when Fields was out with a left shoulder hurt. Siemian injured his oblique sooner than that sport nevertheless nonetheless carried out, ending 14 of 25 passes for 179 yards, a touchdown and an interception. However the Bears positioned Siemian on injured reserve after the game as he underwent surgical process on his oblique.
The Bears signed quarterback P.J. Walker on Wednesday to be the model new backup.
The Bears signed journeyman defensive take care of Andrew Billings, according to his representatives at SportsTrust Advisors.
What it means: To this degree the Bears have executed little to fortify their line of protection, and the addition of Billings on a one-year, $3.5 million deal provides them a versatile inside defender who has started 51 video video games all through his career.
Billings, 28, entered the NFL as a fourth-round decide of Baylor in 2016 and spent three years with the Cincinnati Bengals. He signed with the Cleveland Browns in 2020 nevertheless opted out of that season by way of the COVID-19 pandemic and carried out solely six video video games the subsequent 12 months sooner than the Browns waived him. Final season, Billings started 14 video video games for the Las Vegas Raiders and contributed 39 tackles and a sack.
The Bears are nonetheless pushing in order so as to add depth and rivals to the within of their line of protection whereas moreover hoping to hunt out transfer dashing help.
“I really feel comfy between the remainder of free company in addition to the draft that we are able to get that group nearly as good as we probably can,” primary supervisor Ryan Poles acknowledged Thursday. “On the similar time, there are going to be some weak spots on our roster the place we are able to’t repair the whole lot.”
March 15
The Bears agreed to phrases with quarterback PJ Walker on a two-year contract.
What it means: The arrival of Walker seemingly provides the Bears a model new backup to Justin Fields. Walker, 28, started seven video video games over the sooner three seasons for the Carolina Panthers, going 2-3 remaining season when Sam Darnold was injured. The previous Temple standout spent two seasons on the Indianapolis Colts apply squad beginning in 2017 and starred throughout the USFL for the Houston Roughnecks in 2020 sooner than COVID-19 shortened the season.
After the USFL stint, he reunited with former Temple coach Matt Rhule with the Panthers in 2020 and commenced one sport that season and one in 2021.
Walker’s skill set further fastidiously matches that of Fields as he will likely be elusive throughout the pocket, and which can have been engaging to the Bears.
Including Walker creates doubt about the way in which ahead for Trevor Siemian, the No. 2 quarterback remaining season. The previous Northwestern QB started the 31-10 freeway loss to the New York Jets in Week 12 no matter struggling an oblique hurt in pregame warmups. Siemian wound up having surgical process and accomplished the season on injured reserve. He’s beneath contract for this season with a base wage of $1.865 million and a $100,000 train bonus.
Walker’s 2022 season featured considered one of many prime highlights of the season as he completed a 62-yard Hail Mary touchdown transfer to new Bears huge receiver D.J. Moore throughout the closing seconds of an October sport in Atlanta.
The touchdown tied the score at 34, nevertheless Moore eradicated his helmet on the sphere in celebration and the 15-yard penalty for that infraction pushed the extra degree once more to 48 yards. Eddy Pineiro missed, sending the game to further time, and the Falcons obtained on a self-discipline goal.
The Bears made 5 free-agent signings and the commerce of the No. 1 select official.
What it means: The brand new league 12 months began at 3 p.m. Wednesday, and the Bears launched their beforehand reported provides with linebackers Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards, defensive end DeMarcus Walker, offensive lineman Nate Davis and working once more Travis Homer, pending physicals. Edmunds agreed to a four-year deal, whereas Edwards, Walker and Davis are on three-year provides and Homer on a two-year deal.
The Bears moreover launched the commerce of the 2023 No. 1 draft select to the Carolina Panthers. The Bears acquired a 2023 first-round select (No. 9), a 2023 second-round select (No. 61), a 2024 first-round select, a 2025 second-round select and huge receiver D.J. Moore.
“Having the No. 1 total decide within the 2023 NFL Draft gave us an incredible alternative to take steps ahead this season and in our plan of constructing long run,” Bears primary supervisor Ryan Poles acknowledged in an announcement.
“We’re excited concerning the further picks acquired, together with staying within the high ten choices this 12 months, but in addition the addition of a confirmed and dynamic playmaker in DJ Moore. We had a number of aggressive provides to think about, however in the long run it felt proper for each groups in what Panthers GM Scott Fitterer offered and it retains us in an space of this 12 months’s draft that we actually like.”
Poles, Moore and the alternative free brokers are scheduled to speak with reporters Thursday morning at Halas Corridor.
March 14
Working once more David Montgomery is signing a three-year care for the Detroit Lions, ESPN reported.
What it means: After 4 seasons with the Bears, Montgomery joins their NFC North rival on a deal reportedly value $18 million with $11 million assured.
The 2019 third-round select rushed for 3,609 yards and 26 touchdowns in 60 video video games for the Bears, averaging 3.9 yards per carry. He moreover had 155 catches for 1,240 yards and 4 touchdowns. His best season was 2020, when he topped 1,000 dashing yards and had a career-high eight touchdowns and 4.3 yards per carry.
Montgomery was a favorite of many all through his time at Halas Corridor as a result of his work ethic and character. Poles acknowledged earlier this offseason he want to protect the working once more in Chicago, nevertheless he well-known the contract should work out.
The Bears return Khalil Herbert, who totaled 731 dashing yards and 4 touchdowns in 2022, his second season throughout the league. Herbert’s 5.7 yards per carry was best throughout the NFL amongst working backs.
The Bears are signing former Seattle Seahawks working once more Travis Homer, a provide confirmed.
What it means: A short time after Montgomery’s deal was launched, info acquired right here out that the Bears agreed in order so as to add Homer on a two-year deal that ESPN reported is value a most of $4.5 million.
Homer was a sixth-round select by the Seahawks in 2019. In his first 4 years, he rushed for 453 yards on 83 carries and had 52 catches for 464 yards and two touchdowns. He moreover had 18 kickoff returns for 444 yards and a touchdown and 26 specific teams tackles.
It stays to be seen if the Bears will add one different working once more as a complement to Herbert previous Homer, who has price on specific teams along with offense.
March 13
The Bears are signing former Tennessee Titans defensive end DeMarcus Walker, a league provide confirmed.
What it means: Walker, 28, is a six-year NFL veteran coming off a career season with the Titans throughout which he had seven sacks, 16 quarterback hits and 10 tackles for a loss in 17 video video games. He was a second-round select by the Denver Broncos in 2017 and carried out in 36 video video games for them with 5 begins, notching 10½ sacks over 4 seasons. He had two sacks in 13 video video games with the Houston Texans in 2021.
Walker’s deal is for 3 years and $21 million with $16 million assured, a league provide acknowledged.
The Bears had been in decided need of help at defensive end after totaling merely 20 sacks in 2022. Poles traded Khalil Mack remaining offseason and Robert Quinn at midseason and launched Al-Quadin Muhammad remaining month, leaving restricted selections on the place. Walker joins a bunch that options Trevis Gipson and Dominique Robinson.
Inside linebacker Tremaine Edmunds is changing into a member of the Bears on a four-year, $72 million deal, a provide confirmed.
What it means: The Bears secured one different playmaker for a safety in need of them and have assured Edmunds $50 million on a four-year contract settlement. The signing is notable after the group hit an impasse remaining fall in its negotiations with linebacker Roquan Smith. Smith was traded to the Baltimore Ravens for a second-round select and later signed an extension in Baltimore for five years, $100 million with $60 million assured.
Edmunds efficiently slots in as Smith’s various and is the second starting-caliber linebacker the Bears have added in free firm after they earlier agreed to a three-year contract with T.J. Edwards.
Edmunds, the No. 16 complete select throughout the 2018 draft by the Buffalo Payments, has made 74 career begins and obtained’t flip 25 until Might. Final season, he had 102 tackles, a sack and an interception. His manufacturing was inconsistent over his 5 seasons with the Payments. However when he was at his best, he showcased spectacular athleticism and actually really feel. The Payments had been throughout the mix to re-sign Edmunds and coach Sean McDermott sang his praises.
“To look at him mature and develop on the sphere and off the sphere has been a real pleasure as a coach,” McDermott acknowledged on the NFL combine two weeks previously.
The Bears, though, pushed to make Edmunds a big-ticket signing throughout the first wave of free firm and may welcome the linebacker into Matt Eberflus’ system.
The Bears are signing former Tennessee Titans guard Nate Davis to a three-year deal, a provide confirmed.
What it means: Davis’ deal is for $30 million over three seasons with $19.25 million assured.
Davis, 26, started 54 video video games over 4 seasons with the Titans, who drafted him throughout the third spherical out of Charlotte in 2019. He missed eight video video games over the previous two seasons with COVID-19 and accidents, along with ending the 2022 season on injured reserve as a result of an ankle hurt.
The Bears had been slated to have left guard Cody Whitehair and correct guard Teven Jenkins return this season, so it’s going to possible be value watching to see how the addition of Davis impacts these roles. Jenkins found some success in his transition from take care of to correct guard in 2022, nevertheless he battled accidents all 12 months lengthy and commenced merely 11 video video games. Davis carried out correct guard in Tennessee.
The Bears are signing former Philadelphia Eagles linebacker T.J. Edwards, a provide acknowledged.
What it means: Edwards, who went to Lakes Excessive College in Lake Villa and Wisconsin, returns residence to the Chicago area. An undrafted rookie in 2019, Edwards went on to start 47 video video games and play in 61 for the Eagles over 4 seasons. He had a career-high 159 tackles, 10 tackles for a loss, seven passes defended, 5 quarterback hits and two sacks in 2022.
The Bears are signing Edwards to a three-year, $19.5 million contract with $12 million assured. After shopping for and promoting linebacker Roquan Smith midseason in 2022, the Bears had an unlimited need for a playmaker on the place. They moreover return linebacker Jack Sanborn, who moreover carried out at Wisconsin. Edwards carried out middle linebacker in Philadelphia, and he seemingly would play at that place in Chicago too, though the Bears may moreover try him on the Will place.
Edwards carried out for an Eagles safety that ranked among the many many best throughout the NFL with merely 243.7 yards allowed per sport, a unit that fueled the workforce’s run to the Tremendous Bowl. Edwards had six tackles and a transfer defended throughout the Tremendous Bowl loss to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs.
March 10
Cornerback Josh Blackwell and defensive lineman Andrew Brown are returning, the Bears launched.
What it means: The Bears tendered one-year contracts to Blackwell and Brown, who had been exclusive-rights free brokers.
Blackwell, an undrafted rookie out of Duke, was a key specific teams participant in 2022. He had 23 tackles, a pressured fumble and a fumble restoration. He seen time on safety in 4 video video games late throughout the season when accidents depleted the Bears secondary.
Brown joined the Bears in November off the Arizona Cardinals apply squad and carried out in 5 video video games. He has appeared in 28 video video games over the previous 4 seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, Houston Texans, Los Angeles Chargers and Bears.
Lengthy snapper Patrick Scales is returning to the Bears, his agent tweeted.
What it means: Scales, 35, has been with the Bears since 2015 and hasn’t missed a sport throughout the remaining 5 seasons. He returns with a specialist unit that options kicker Cairo Santos and punter Trenton Gill.
Scales is the longest-tenured Bears participant on a roster that Poles has largely turned over.
March 8
The Bears are bringing once more veteran fullback Khari Blasingame on a two-year extension, according to his firm.
What it means: Blasingame joined the Bears on a one-year deal remaining season. And whereas he didn’t receive an offensive contact, he stays well-regarded inside Halas Corridor for his intelligence, work ethic and toughness.
As a blocker, Blasingame contributed to a Bears offense that averaged a league-best 177.3 dashing yards per sport whereas setting a single-season franchise file with 3,014 dashing yards. It should possible be fascinating to see how his operate evolves or expands in 2023 as coordinator Luke Getsy continues to mould the scheme throughout the players he has.
The Bears have necessary work to do to stabilize their offense and may work by their plans throughout the backfield with David Montgomery in line to hit the open market subsequent week. However Blasingame’s return was a priority. The veteran fullback spent his first three seasons in Tennessee and may look to carve out a a lot larger operate with the Bears this season.
Feb. 17
The Bears are releasing defensive end Al-Quadin Muhammad, ESPN reported.
What it means: Muhammad signed a two-year, $8 million contract remaining spring to affix coach Matt Eberflus in Chicago. Muhammad, who’s moving into his seventh NFL season, was coming off a career 12 months with the Indianapolis Colts in 2021 throughout which he had six sacks and 13 quarterback hits. However he totaled merely 21 tackles, one sack, three quarterback hits and a pressured fumble in 16 video video games with the Bears remaining season.
The Bears had been anticipated to revamp a line of protection that contributed to solely 20 workforce sacks. Chopping Muhammad, who will possible be 28 in March, saves virtually $4 million in salary-cap space and comes with merely $500,000 in ineffective cap space, according to Spotrac.
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