Bears have plenty of cap space, but want to spend it wisely
INDIANAPOLIS – With a projected $55 million and change in salary cap room, the Bears have the means to add some key building blocks in free agency, which begins March 9.
They need upgrades at most positions, but the Bears won't be tossing big money around just for the sake of spending it. “We have a lot of needs, we have a lot of cap space,” general manager Ryan Pace said Wednesday at the NFL's annual Scouting Combine. “We just have to be mindful and strategic with what we do. I feel really good where we're at right now as far as our preparation.
“It's just a matter of being smart and calculated.
There's going to be certain positions that we're going to be more aggressive at, but I think you've just got to be cautious in free agency because it's a risky area.”
The Bears hit on their biggest-ticket purchase ($33.75 million) last year, linebacker Pernell McPhee, although injuries limited his late-season contributions. But they got less than hoped for out of safety Antrel Rolle ($11.25 million for three years, $4.9 million guaranteed), who played in just seven games because of injuries and had 1 pass breakup, and no interceptions. Cornerback Alan Ball made $3 million on a one-year deal but had just 20 tackles and started three games. “Part of our challenge is identifying good players and then identifying good values, too,” Pace said. “We stack our free-agent board, we identify the players we'd like to target, and then we identify salary parameters where we feel they fit in.”
The Bears are likely to resist the blockbuster signings that highlight the opening days of free-agency, most of which don't return value.
“We know when the gun goes off, we're working outside those parameters, and if it gets a little uncomfortable, that's when you have to make a tough decision,” Pace said. “You've got to be selective and cautious with it. If you're drafting well, you don't have to tread in this dangerous (free-agent) water as much.”
Promoting from within:
When Adam Gase left to become the Miami Dolphins' head coach in January, the Bears filled their offensive coordinator vacancy internally by promoting quarterbacks coach Dowell Loggains.
“He's a heck of a young coach,” head coach John Fox said of the 35-year-old Loggains. “He's got a great background, he's worked with people philosophically that I share ideas with offensively.
“He did a tremendous job with Jay (Cutler). That was a big reason for Jay's kind of success this (past) year. He's a sharp, young coach. I know his abilities; he's got great people skills.”
Loggains has previous coordinator experience with the Tennessee Titans (2012-13) and he was a scout before he got into coaching.
“He's done it,” Fox said. “He's done the scouting part, and it's hard to be a good coach if you can't be a good evaluator.”
Gase says the Bears' offense is in good shape even without him because of the Cutler-Loggains rapport.
“Those two have a great dynamic,” Gase said. “I always loved being around those two guys. There's something special between them. That offense is in great hands. They'll be able to keep that continuity going.”
The other TE: Backup tight end Zach Miller had a career year in 2015 after starter Martellus Bennett was used more as a blocker and then, after he was injured.
Miller, who had career bests of 34 catches, 439 yards and 5 touchowns, is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent.
“You understand the reality that a lot of times these guys have to hit the open market to set their value,” GM Ryan Pace said of Miller. “We like Zach. He's a guy we'd want back, and we're negotiating with him.”