The
Chicago Bears came into 2019 with clear objectives regarding free agency. They had three big names on their board who were coming out of contract. The question at hand was deciding who to give extensions to.
Bobby Massie,
Bryce Callahan or
Adrian Amos? Well GM Ryan Pace didn't waste much time showing who the priority was.
The announcement came through on the 26th of January that Massie had been signed to a new four-year deal. According to Ian Rapoport, it's worth somewhere over $8 million per season. If that's true, it will put a sizable dent in the limited salary cap space the Bears have going into the spring. This could mean that they intend to sacrifice one of the remaining two of Callahan and Amos.
That brings up the obvious question. Who should it be? That's what we shall explore. The pros and cons of both retaining and losing either player from an on-the-field and financial perspective. Is either "irreplaceable?"
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Bryce Callahan or Adrian Amos: Breaking it down
Adrian Amos (S)
- 25-years old
- Drafted in 2015 (5th round)
- Played 60 games
- 269 tackles
- 3 INTs
- 18 passes defended
- 3 forced fumbles
- 2 sacks
Bryce Callahan (CB)
- 27-years old
- Signed as undrafted free agent in 2015
- Played in 45 games
- 122 tackles
- 4 INTs
- 20 passes defended
- 1 forced fumble
- 4 sacks
Amos and Callahan became prominent contributors in the Bears secondary from the start. One could say that it was Callahan who established himself as a strong presence earlier. Amos was actually benched at the start of 2017 before an injury got him back into the lineup. Since then he's shown significant improvement in all areas.
The stats show that Callahan has had a greater impact despite playing 15 fewer games but one could twist that around to point out his biggest problem. As good as the cornerback has been, his availability is an issue. Callahan has suffered numerous injuries over the past four years and 2018 was no exception as a foot ailment ended his year early.
Then there are two other key factors: age and money.
Callahan is two years older than Amos despite them coming out the same year in college. Amos has proven more durable and then there's the financial issue. Cornerbacks, on average, make more money per year than safeties. To date, 15 corners make at least $10 million per season in their contracts to just six safeties.
It's likely Callahan will want to be paid among the top 20 corners in the league. That would put his contract at a minimum of $9 million per year. Meanwhile, the same scenario for Amos would put his number at a minimum of $6 million per year. That's far more affordable, and for a player who is two years younger and doesn't have questions of availability.
All things considered, the smart play from a front office perspective is to keep the younger starter who will be cheaper in the long-term. Especially when neither is really separated by a wide gap in terms of productivity. Things can happen of course. The Bears may find a way to keep both. However, given the outlook as it is? Amos will be the more likely choice.
