By all accounts, the Chicago Bears seem content with what they’ve built roster-wise for the time being. Spending more money at this point is something they’re cautious about. Both because they don’t have a ton of cap space to work with and also because team financials are uncertain due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet with 2020 feeling more and more like a make-or-break year for this regime, it stands to reason they should remain aggressive when possible.
Defensively, they have reasons to feel good. Akiem Hicks is set to return. They also added Robert Quinn on a five-year deal to join Khalil Mack on what appears to be a fearsome front seven. That pass rush looks locked and loaded. So why would the Bears bother with the idea of adding more?
Simple. Because they can. Markus Golden remains an available free agent going into July. This man had 10.5 sacks last season. So what is going on? Not much according to Ralph Vacchiano of SNY.
“The status of Golden is basically unchanged. He’s still a free agent and, since the Giants put the “May 5 tender” on him, he’s only got until July 22 (or the first day of the first NFL training camp, whichever is later – and that may turn out to be July 28) to find a new team, otherwise his only option is to sign a one-year, $4.125 million deal with the Giants.
And there is no indication that any other team is interested in signing him for more than that.
It’s always possible someone has talked to him or his agent, of course, and that we just don’t know it. But I think it’s clear that if someone wanted Golden for more than that amount he would’ve signed already.”
Chicago Bears have just enough room to make an offer
Right now the Bears sit at around $10.6 million in salary cap space. That’s not a lot, but it is enough to make an offer to Golden. One that is superior to the $4.125 million he’s set to make from the Giants. A $5 million offer would still leave them enough to sign their rookie draft class. They could also create additional space by dumping Adam Shaheen for $1.27 million.
Subscribe to the BFR podcast and ride shotgun with Dave and Ficky as they break down Bears football like nobody else.
This would suddenly give the Bears not one, not two, but three edge rushers on their roster capable of posting 10 or more sacks in a season. So not only would their starters be talented, but their depth would be terrific as well with Golden and promising rookie Trevis Gipson.
It could make the financial situation of 2021 more challenging, but the Bears have made it clear they’re committed to winning now. This is a relatively affordable move they can make that would help the cause.