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Today is a huge day for the NFL as the legal tampering negotiation window opening allowing teams to start talking to 2018 free agents. Nothing can be made official until the 2018 league year starts on Wednesday, March 14 at 3 P.M. Chicago time, but some handshake deals may take place. Expect agents to leak rumors to try and drum up more business for their clients.
There have been plenty of Chicago Bears rumors floating around so far, so we’ll track them, along with the legitimate reports right here.
Bears cap space - $63,114,002 according to Spotrac (Note: This is not confirmed by the NFL)
Bears unrestricted free agents - Dontrelle Inman WR, Kendall Wright WR, Zach Miller TE, Tom Compton OL, Bradley Sowell OL, Benny Cunningham RB, Mark Sanchez QB, Pat O’Donnell P, Andrew DePaola LS, Mike Nugent K, Cairo Santos K, Lamarr Houston OLB, Sam Acho OLB, Christian Jones ILB, Mitch Unrein DE, John Jenkins NT, Prince Amukamara CB, Sherrick McManis CB
Bears restricted free agents - Josh Bellamy WR, Cameron Meredith WR, John Timu ILB, Bryce Callahan CB
Bears exclusive rights free agents - Daniel Brown TE, Patrick Scales LS
For definitions on these types of free agents you can click here.
For the full NFL offseason calendar click here.
Bears rumors and roster moves so far (Updated)
MARCH 13 - Click here for the Day 2 Free Agency tracker.
March 13 - ALLEN ROBINSON IS A BEAR LINK
March 12 - According to the Chicago Tribune, the Bears are expected to pursue Dolphins kicker Cody Parkey. LINK
March 12 - Bears Not Expected to Tender Daniel Brown or John Timu. LINK
March 12 - Nickleback Bryce Callahan receives a tender at the right of first refusal. LINK
March 12 - Wide out Sammy Watkins linked to the Bears. LINK
March 12 - Bears in on tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins too. LINK
March 12 - Jimmy Graham to the Bears kind of came out of nowhere.
.@RapSheet just said the Bears are a potential destination for Jimmy Graham.
— Tom Fornelli (@TomFornelli) March 12, 2018
March 12 - Brad Biggs is reporting that Cameron Meredith is returning. LINK
March 12 - Patrick Finley is reporting that the Bears will not tender ERFA long snapper Patrick Scales. LINK
March 12 - Brad Biggs is reporting the the Bears are bringing wide out Josh Bellamy back. LINK
March 12 - Bears re-sign offensive lineman Bradley Sowell. LINK
March 12 - Rumored Bears target Zach Fulton (G/C) is favored to go to the Texans. LINK
March 6 - Benjamin Allbright believes the Bears will be in on free agent tight end Trey Burton. LINK
March 6 - Brad Biggs claims that Allen Robinson is a top target of the Bears. LINK
March 6 - Bears Use the Transition Tag on Kyle Fuller LINK
March 5 - There is “some interest” in bringing back backup QB Mark Sanchez - LINK
March 5 - “It’s possible” the Bears could move on from punter Pat O’Donnell and “there is some chance” they re-sign kicker Cairo Santos. LINK
March 4 - Rumor has the Bears likely in on two free agent wide receivers. One is likely Albert Wilson, but could the other be Allen Robinson? LINK
For the record, I think the Bears are going to do their best to sign both Wilson and Robinson. Wilson will man the slot, with Robinson and Cameron Meredith starting at the X and Z.
March 2 - The Bears and Chiefs will both be after backup quarterback Chase Daniel. LINK
March 1 - The Chiefs believe Albert Wilson to the Bears is likely. LINK
February 28 - Bears release Willie Young. LINK
February 28 - Mike Glennon will be released on March 14. LINK
February 26 - Bears released Quintin Demps and Pernell McPhee. LINK
February 20 - Bears released Jerrell Freeman. LINK
February 20 - Bears declined Josh Sitton’s 2018 option. LINK
Keep in mind rumors are just that, rumors. Often times it’s just speculation from beat reporters that have been around the team for years giving their feel for the situation.