Can the Chicago Bears actually go from their worst franchise finish in a 16-game season ever (3-13) to a possible playoff berth in 2017? It's happened before. They did go from 5-11 to 13-3 from 2000 to 2001. GM Ryan Pace is adamant that he understands the situation. Anything he or the coaching staff says at this point can't be taken at face value because they haven't won anything.
Until they do, it's just talk. That means it will take action for them to get this thing straightened out. The good news? They are well-stocked with the ammunition to really make a run at upgrading this roster. Not only do they hold the #3 pick in the upcoming NFL draft, but they also will have over $54 million in salary cap space. To say nothing of the moves they could make to create more.
That means they have the green light to be active on the free agent market. It's a matter of figuring out where they should focus their dollars. Ask around and pretty much everybody will give the same answer: the secondary. Chicago badly needs help at cornerback and safety. Turns out one of the biggest fish may actually make it to the pond this year.
Adam Schefter and Chris Mortensen released their weekly notebook with bits of interesting information from sources around the NFL. Most of it had to do with the upcoming conference championship games, but towards the end they delivered a surprising bit of information. Something that could change everything this March when NFL free agency begins.
"The Chiefs have at least two key players to sign before they become free agents in March -- safety Eric Berry and defensive tackle Dontari Poe. If they don't get either signed, one of them figures to get the franchise tag. Sources say don't be surprised if it's Poe. It's something to watch."There is no question Eric Berry is one of the best safeties in the NFL. He proved it again in 2016 by reaching his fifth Pro Bowl. To think he just turned 28-years old is remarkable. His playmaking skill and leadership have helped drive the Chiefs to a lot of their recent success. However, the organization is in a major financial bind. According to overthecap.com, even with the expected increase of the salary cap ceiling in 2017, Kansas City will still only have just over $4.6 million in space available. Odds are good that Berry will (rightfully) demand to be paid as a top five safety in the NFL. If not the highest paid overall. Currently that honor belongs to Tyrann Mathieu of the Arizona Cardinals. He commands an annual salary of just over $12.5 million. That means the Chiefs would have to clear out $8 million of addition cap space just to have barely enough to sign Berry. This doesn't account for the other 12 free agents they'll need to deal with as well. Poe on the other hand is a 3-4 nose tackle. Players at his position command $4.5 million per year at the most. It's far more economical to franchise tag him. To say nothing of the fact that the upcoming draft class is considered stacked with safeties. https://twitter.com/nfldraftscout/status/821757043711311872 It's one of those difficult business decisions teams must face from time to time. Sacrificing a slightly aging great player in order to preserve the financial stability of the team. If this were to play out, odds are good Berry becomes a free agent. Were this to happen, it would be the single-biggest opportunity the Bears could have to upgrade the weakest position on their roster. Safety has given them fits for years ever since Mike Brown began his depressing decline. Ironically he ended his career in Kansas City. How fitting would it be if Chicago was able to bring in Berry from the opposite direction? He represents everything they want and don't have. Berry is a tough, physical presence against the run. He's smart and instinctive, allowing him to make big plays in coverage that often can swing the momentum of games. To top it off he's an inspirational leaders who understands how to motivate his teammates on or off the field. [video width="854" height="480" mp4="https://www.sportsmockery.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Eric-Berrys-Clutch-8-Point-Performance-Chiefs-vs.-Falcons-NFL-Week-13-Player-Highlights.mp4"][/video] He doesn't turn 29-years old until late December of this year. Presuming good health it stands to reason that he has another 4-6 good seasons left in him. A Chicago Bears Eric Berry alliance makes way too much sense. They have enough money to meet whatever price he demands. Also they run a 3-4 scheme with a respected defensive coordinator in Vic Fangio and a head coach Berry knows well in John Fox. It's always fun to be needed, and the Bears need Berry. The entire landscape of their defense would change the moment he arrived.
