The Bears preseason thread

[Lake Shore Drive]

Figured it's time to move past the offseason thread now that camp is officially under tow. I think this article is a nice way to get the ball rolling:

How Teven Jenkins has doubled investment into his body to stay healthy this season

Jenkins knows his health this year could impact his future

www.nbcsportschicago.com

Jenkins is arguably the most important figure on the OL, if for no other reason than he's playing in his walk year. Hardly a surprise that he's "investing" in his body, considering he has yet to play a full season. If he wants that mega contract next year, then no question he'll need to put in a full season.

 

[NCChiFan]

Yup. When healthy, he is great. When.

 

[Lake Shore Drive]

Yup. When healthy, he is great. When.

That's the reason I thought starting the new thread with him as the focal point was the best way to begin it. Like you said, when healthy he's arguably our best OL, altho I think it's just a matter of a year, two tops that Wright establishes himself as the big dawg on the line.

 

[NCChiFan]

That's the reason I thought starting the new thread with him as the focal point was the best way to begin it. Like you said, when healthy he's arguably our best OL, altho I think it's just a matter of a year, two tops that Wright establishes himself as the big dawg on the line.

From what I've read, the O line leader in the locker room is Bates. Some discussion has been over moving him to RG from Center if Davis doesn't put it together this preseason. Then let the other center, Shelton, take over the hiking duties.

 

[Beengay fudgepackers]

Jenkins needs to prove he can do it a full season this year or we should let him walk.

Other preseason stories to keep an eye on

1. The growth of Gervon Dexter. He lost a lot of weight in the offseason and he might be in the mix on the edge opposite of Sweat on some downs. If he can get pressure consistently as the 3T, this defense will be special.

2. The growth of this secondary. We know what we have in Jaylon Johnson, but Stephenson, Brisker, and Gordon all still have a lot of room to grow. This secondary could be special. We might have 2 shut down corners paired with quality safeties.

3. Caleb Williams to Rome Odunze - I think these two are going to have a connection out of the gate. I would not be surprised if Rome Odunze is our leading receiver this year.

 

[Lake Shore Drive]

As the old saying goes, when you have two starters at a given position, you have none:

Bears won't make decision on center competition for several days. Here's why

Ryan Bates and Coleman Shelton have split reps with the first team offense

www.nbcsportschicago.com

I'm overall a huge fan of what Poles has accomplished in his short period as the Bears GM. Aside from the Chase Claypool fiasco, I've been pretty happy with what he's done to overhaul this roster. But he's had two years of numerous opportunities to land us a true starting center, either via free agency or the draft. These past two offseasons have offered a bunch of each, but for whatever reasons, he's opted not to chase either option. I'm holding off on grading who he has acquired, but one or both of our 'co-centers' will have to really impress in my book.

 

[Lake Shore Drive]

That Edge free agent list just got a lot thinner:

Dolphins signing pass rusher Emmanuel Ogbah to one-year deal

It's pretty much down to Ngakoue or bust.

 

[NCChiFan]

3. Caleb Williams to Rome Odunze - I think these two are going to have a connection out of the gate. I would not be surprised if Rome Odunze is our leading receiver this yeyear.

I was listening to xm fantasy radio yesterday. A Bears beat reporter was saying Williams go to appears to be DJ, to this point. If Odunze is as advertised, Keenan might end up a 1 year rental. Time will tell, but boy, what a difference 1 year makes in the WR room.

 

[Lake Shore Drive]

I was listening to xm fantasy radio yesterday. A Bears beat reporter was saying Williams go to appears to be DJ, to this point. If Odunze is as advertised, Keenan might end up a 1 year rental. Time will tell, but boy, what a difference 1 year makes in the WR room.

So far, early on at least, Tyler Scott is another go-to for Williams. I really want him to step up because after our big 3 of DJ, Keenan, & Rome, there's a pretty steep dropoff in talent. Tyler is a true speed burner, but he must be able to haul in those deep passes. If he can nail down the 4th spot, our WR room will be stupid good.

 

[richig07]

Jenkins needs to prove he can do it a full season this year or we should let him walk.

Other preseason stories to keep an eye on

1. The growth of Gervon Dexter. He lost a lot of weight in the offseason and he might be in the mix on the edge opposite of Sweat on some downs. If he can get pressure consistently as the 3T, this defense will be special.

2. The growth of this secondary. We know what we have in Jaylon Johnson, but Stephenson, Brisker, and Gordon all still have a lot of room to grow. This secondary could be special. We might have 2 shut down corners paired with quality safeties.

3. Caleb Williams to Rome Odunze - I think these two are going to have a connection out of the gate. I would not be surprised if Rome Odunze is our leading receiver this year.

I would be pretty surprised if Odunze is our leading receiver. I think he puts together a really inspiring rookie campaign. There's just too many vets around him, though. He's in a great situation to grow and doesn't have to take on too much, too quickly. He will have a few 100+ yard games and some highlight plays, though. He will be a part of a rock solid offense.

 

[Jiddy]

DJ Moore got an extension. Pretty nice for us.

 

[Lake Shore Drive]

DJ Moore got an extension. Pretty nice for us.

Not just an extension, a massive extension and well earned at that!

Bears sign DJ Moore to massive, franchise record extension

The Bears are signing Moore to an extension worth $110 million

www.nbcsportschicago.com

Four years extended, worth $110 million, of which $82.6 million is guaranteed. Our key QB/WR/TE personnel are set for the next 4-5 years. That's some nice stability at such important positions.

 

[richig07]

Not just an extension, a massive extension and well earned at that!

Bears sign DJ Moore to massive, franchise record extension

The Bears are signing Moore to an extension worth $110 million

www.nbcsportschicago.com

Four years extended, worth $110 million, of which $82.6 million is guaranteed. Our key QB/WR/TE personnel are set for the next 4-5 years. That's some nice stability at such important positions.

It's interesting, with Keenan Allen. He's 32 now and we're trying to milk his last good football out of him. Maybe, though, even if he only has one more "Keenan Allen" like year left in him? Perhaps, manning the slot in an established offense with younger pieces around him? He can extend his career to play 3-4 years with us. His numbers by then certainly won't look like they did with the Chargers, but plenty of elite slot guys have hung around into their mid 30's and been productive in the right setting. Especially when they run routes like Allen does. Allen won't have to be a superstar. He can be a chain mover while a prime Moore/Odunze do the work on the outside.

To clarify, I believe Allen DOES have another big time season left in him and can have it in 2024. I am more thinking beyond that and hoping he can stay on - seeing as I'm a big fan.

Only thing annoying about Allen is that he will be on the injury report all season with a hamstring (while missing a few games) it's just going to happen.

 

[Lake Shore Drive]

It's interesting, with Keenan Allen. He's 32 now and we're trying to milk his last good football out of him. Maybe, though, even if he only has one more "Keenan Allen" like year left in him? Perhaps, manning the slot in an established offense with younger pieces around him? He can extend his career to play 3-4 years with us. His numbers by then certainly won't look like they did with the Chargers, but plenty of elite slot guys have hung around into their mid 30's and been productive in the right setting. Especially when they run routes like Allen does. Allen won't have to be a superstar. He can be a chain mover while a prime Moore/Odunze do the work on the outside.

To clarify, I believe Allen DOES have another big time season left in him and can have it in 2024. I am more thinking beyond that and hoping he can stay on - seeing as I'm a big fan.

Only thing annoying about Allen is that he will be on the injury report all season with a hamstring (while missing a few games) it's just going to happen.

It's a curious scenario indeed. Handing out a massive extension to DJ coupled with knowing Odunze is under team control for 5 years doesn't seem on the surface to bode well for Allen, especially when factoring in his age and injury history. Then again, there's little doubt that he has more than one year of big time production left in the tank. Plus I caught this in one of the local rags:

Paying Moore now also clears the deck for Poles to begin contract extension talks with fellow wide receiver Keenan Allen.

The Bears wanted to take care of Moore first, but they can now start discussions with Allen at any point, knowing their No. 1 wide receiver is happy with his contract situation.

This clearly indicates the Bears are willing to at least enter discussions over an extension. Guess this is one of those classic TBD situations.

 

[Beengay fudgepackers]

For the bears to have a good DLine, they need solid rotational pieces and probably another solid starter. Looking at this game, the bears defensive line looked pretty crappy to me. Pickens looked terrible. Booker and Cowart made a play, but other than that they looked pretty pedestrian. Booker looks like he could be good someday, but probably not this year. I’m a little worried that our back end players DLine probably won’t stack up against NFL calibre talent this season. Dexter and Sweat might beast, but they can’t play ever snap. Hopefully, we can get a good DT/DE signing after roster cuts.

 

[beardown07]

For the bears to have a good DLine, they need solid rotational pieces and probably another solid starter. Looking at this game, the bears defensive line looked pretty crappy to me. Pickens looked terrible. Booker and Cowart made a play, but other than that they looked pretty pedestrian. Booker looks like he could be good someday, but probably not this year. I’m a little worried that our back end players DLine probably won’t stack up against NFL calibre talent this season. Dexter and Sweat might beast, but they can’t play ever snap. Hopefully, we can get a good DT/DE signing after roster cuts.

I hope they sign Judon from New England.

 

[beardown07]

And Dexter is gonna be a fuggin beast this year. Mark it.

 

[Beengay fudgepackers]

I hope they sign Judon from New England.

It’d be nice, but we would have to trade picks for him, I’m guessing a second, and then pay the man a ton of money. I always hate making moves like that, even though it seems to have worked out with sweat. I’d rather go through the year, give some young players a chance, then draft help next year.

 

[redskinsfan1963]

not pre season stuff, espn had a story on mongo mcmichael today,first time i,ve seen the nature boy cry,they showed steve,i,m glad he,s getting his hof honor cause he deserves it and seems close to death from acs.

 

[Jiddy]

I hope they sign Judon from New England.

He's too old and expensive. Commit money to players in their mid 20s unless we're proven that one big player or two will put us over the top. If we run off like 6ish wins in our first 8 games and things look promising, I could see us trading for someone to fill the DE spot opposite of Sweat. I would be amazed if we had that kind of record after 8 games with a rookie quarterback though.