The Bears 2025 Free Agency Thread

[justanidiot]

I am the only one that likes Doug Kramer. I thought he hit a stride when he performed so well in the Cincinatti cross practices that they decided they could not risk putting him on the practice squad again. But then again, my criteria is stuck on guys like Hilgenberg and Kreutz, just mean dudes that were somehow always the first guy to pick our running back up. I know that sounds lame, but they just kept blocking upfield until the whistle blew and ended up at the tackle of the running back. But with those two captains the lines were constantly mean.

There is just always a better option thru free agency, and as soon as they sign somebody, its their job with no competition. I think thats what broke Nate Davis. Most likely promises from the GM that our weak head coach just swallowed. Hopefully that will not be the case anymore. Eventually, that is what its going to take, our GM signing the third and fourth tier free agents by promising them starting jobs and a head coach who plays the guy that earns the spot.

I really do not remember much hat on hat blocking or a series where all they did was handoff and plow straight ahead with Monty until they got to the 2 and he got pulled so someone else got the TD. I remember a few cases last year after Monty got hurt that Gibbs just got carry after carry straight ahead with no BS pulling guards or centers not blocking anybody because Swift was already at the line of scrimmage. Thats when you see a line gel. Most of what I saw was a defense running a stunt and a guard and center just standing there waiting for someone to block, but they were already behind them.

I really wish there were an absolute best center option in the draft, but then again, I doubt we would pick him anyway.

 

[BearsWillWin]

I am the only one that likes Doug Kramer.

FFS

 

[Payton]

My opinion is that our O line wasn't as bad as most believe it to have been. That our young QB was largely to blame. If Ben works his magic a little bit ahead of schedule? Suddenly we're onto something and filling a DE spot opposite of Sweat (with a reasonably decent player) no longer seems like some massive task. I liked our roster last year and I'll probably like it this year. The QB and HC need to make it all come together.

Agreed, I heard a stat somewhere (And I have ZERO idea how this stat is tracked) that Caleb was one of the worst coming out of college last year as far as scrambling his way into trouble (for lack of a better way of putting it). They were talking about Shadeur Sanders I think, and saying that he was very similar to Caleb in that regard.

 

[Lake Shore Drive]

So it appears KC is going to do all it can to retain Trey Smith.

NFL Combine 2025: Chiefs ‘Pretty Optimistic’ About Signing Trey Smith

Kansas City is trying to lock down one of the best guards in the NFL before he hits free agency.

www.si.com

While it's not a for-certain done deal, it does appear that the Chiefs will have the necessary capital to keep Smith on the team.
Plan B commences right now.

 

[Lake Shore Drive]

Here's an updated list from CBS Sports, which spotlights the top available IOL:

2025 NFL interior OL market: Top free agents, best team fits, projected deals for Trey Smith, other veterans

A look at some of the best interior offensive linemen who could be available this offseason

www.cbssports.com

I think a couple are coming off injuries. And even assuming Smith is off the table, which has yet TBD, it's still a pretty nice list. Only two of these players are in their 30's. To me, there's no question that Poles needs to do what it takes to sign at least two of them.

 

[richig07]

Agreed, I heard a stat somewhere (And I have ZERO idea how this stat is tracked) that Caleb was one of the worst coming out of college last year as far as scrambling his way into trouble (for lack of a better way of putting it). They were talking about Shadeur Sanders I think, and saying that he was very similar to Caleb in that regard.

There's stats regarding his time to pressure and pressure rate vs sack rate that are historically bad. I think he created a lot of his own chaos.

 

[Lake Shore Drive]

There's stats regarding his time to pressure and pressure rate vs sack rate that are historically bad. I think he created a lot of his own chaos.

It's partly why I posted in another thread that Johnson needs to mix in more quick-read pass plays, ie slants, short crossing patterns, etc. I think Caleb starts getting in trouble when they involve intermediate to deep passing routes. We know he's just trying to save the play, it's the competitive beast in him. But it often results in his holding onto the ball too long. And of course the spotty OL play hasn't helped matters any.