Ben Johnson said the intention was to win this year. GM Ryan Poles said he would work in tandem with Johnson on the approach this offseason. It appears the Chicago Bears brass have stuck to their statements. Before the new league year has even begun, the team has engineered two trades. One was for 28-year-old guard Jonah Jackson from Los Angeles and the other was for 32-year-old guard Joe Thuney from Kansas City. In the space of mere days, the Bears’ offensive line has taken a big step forward.
One would think the team is content with its acquisitions and is turning its focus to free agency next week. The legal tampering period starts March 13th. However, they might not be done yet. A source told SM that the Bears have quietly looked into the market for veteran tight end Michael Mayer. The 23-year-old was a former second-round pick in 2023. He had a promising rookie season but saw his playing time reduced last year due to the arrival of rookie phenom Brock Bowers and some rumored mental health issues.
He resumed playing later in the season, and the problems never resurfaced.
The Chicago Bears’ interest in Mayer is immediately apparent.
While most people nowadays look to the receiving ability first, that isn’t where he shines. Mayer showed at Notre Dame and in Las Vegas that he is a high-quality run blocker. His pass protection is also reliable. To top it off, he can catch, too. While not an explosive playmaker, he has the size and hands necessary to move the chains. Don’t forget Johnson wants to run the ball on offense. He needs guys who can help generate movement. Gerald Everett wasn’t that type of player, which is why the Chicago Bears cut him. A tandem of Mayer and Cole Kmet would give the offense some serious beef at tight end. Whether the Bears can land him is another story. Word is the market for Mayer is strong. It may prove too expensive.
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Free Agency hasn’t even started, and the Bears are all over it. I like it. By the end of next week, we should have a clearer picture on what needs to be the focus of the draft.
Mayer does look good, but remember that those 6 minute cuts are just their best plays. They don’t show drops, fumbles, or bad plays. Despite that, his statistics look solid, and if the Raiders are selling him because Bowers is a stud, the bidding shouldn’t be too crazy. I mean, the dude isn’t Antonio Gates; he’s solid, and can block, which is more than the Bears have had behind Kmet for a long time.
If Ben Johnson can scheme ways for CW to find him in the offense, this would be a solid move. This might be a chance to buy low on a guy who could turn into a star.
Mayer would be a Bears wet dream.
Mayer is also Cole’s former teammate at ND. I think he’s pretty much a carbon copy of Kmet therfore i would rather have a faster TE to compliment Kmet.
And again, you seem to post the wrong info regarding FA every article. Legal Tampering starts on the 10th. FA is official on the 12th. Say it with me 5 times Erik:
Legal Tampering = 10th of March
FA = 12th of March.
Please don’t say the 13th anymore. Pretty please?
(I feel like we are SportsMockery’s free Proofreaders in the comment section)