Great, Briggs is back … but what about that offense?
If you're wondering why the Bears were able to sign three-time Pro Bowler Lance Briggs for about the same money he turned his nose up at two years ago, the answer is simple: They didn't have to outbid anyone.
That's because most teams realize any reasonably talented linebacker will get over 100 tackles a season in the Bears' scheme.
Briggs is more than "reasonably talented," and he's an integral part of the Bears' defense, but he isn't the guy that opposing offensive coordinators worry about when they're devising game plans.
That would be Tommie Harris and Brian Urlacher.
To some extent, Briggs is a product of the system and a beneficiary of the presence of Harris and Urlacher.
Fortunately for Briggs, in today's free-agent market, the going rate for a productive complementary linebacker in his prime is $36 million for six years. Briggs expected more money and more interest, but the 49ers and Saints, two teams in need of defensive help, went in different directions. The 49ers gave Bengals defensive end Justin Smith $45 million over six years, and the Saints traded for Jets linebacker Jonathan Vilma.
"Those are kind of the setbacks as far as free agency went," Briggs said. "(But) I'm real happy. My market is where it should be. The Bears' front office came up with a deal that worked."
It was a good signing for the Bears at a decent price because Briggs makes the defense better than it would have been without him, although Briggs was considered history after playing last year under protest with the franchise tag.
"I'm a little surprised," Briggs said about re-signing with the Bears, "but all in all I'm happy to be back."
And no doubt happy the Bears were still willing to pay him $36 million when no other team was anxious to do so.
That's the good news for the Bears.
The bad news is they have done nothing to upgrade a lousy offense, and many of the unrestricted free-agent linemen and wide receivers who could have helped them have already signed with other teams.
The release of Muhsin Muhammad and the defection of Bernard Berrian to the Vikings leaves the Bears with arguably the worst group of wide receivers in the NFL, and most of the few talented free-agent wideouts are already spoken for.
Jerry Porter (Raiders to Jaguars), Donte Stallworth (Patriots to Browns), Ernest Wilford (Jaguars to Dolphins) and Andre Davis (re-signed with Texans) all have new deals. With increased inactivity, the Bears' No. 27 offense in 2007 could be even worse this year.
There are still a handful of veteran wide receivers available who can help, but general manager Jerry Angelo has to make it a priority to get someone like the Seahawks' D.J. Hackett or the Cardinals' Bryant Johnson. Neither one is a go-to receiver, but they're better than anything the Bears have right now. Even recently released players like Javon Walker, Marty Booker or Justin McCareins would upgrade the Bears' receiving corps.
The top linemen are also already off the board: Alan Faneca, Flozell Adams, Jordan Gross, Justin Smiley and Stacy Andrews. But Jake Scott (Colts), Max Starks (Steelers), Maurice Williams (Jaguars) and Damien Woody (Lions) could all help on a depleted unit that needs two new starters and some quality depth.
The Bears won't be able to rely exclusively on the draft for upgrades at guard, tackle and wide receiver, all of which are necessary for them to field a competitive offense in 2008. They might be able to get an immediate starter at one of those positions through the draft, but it would be foolish to count on more than that.
Last year's first-round pick, tight end Greg Olsen, started four games and played extensively in two-tight end formations with Desmond Clark. Cornerback Trumaine McBride started nine times but only because Nate Vasher missed 12 games with a groin injury. No other rookies were starters in the Bears' base formations.
In 2006 Danieal Manning was the only rookie to start more than one game, although Mark Anderson was a major factor as a situational pass rusher.
A year earlier, fourth overall pick Cedric Benson contributed just 272 rushing yards, and Mark Bradley caught 18 passes before he suffered a knee injury.
Quarterback Kyle Orton was forced into the starting lineup for 15 games, but compiled a lackluster 59.7 passer rating.
The Bears need immediate offensive help and a lot of it. It's not all going to come from the draft.