The Bear’s Den, Free Agent Negotiations Days Edition

BEAR DOWN, CHICAGO BEARS, BEAR DOWN!!!!

BEARRRSSSS / DRAFT / FREE AGENCY

LeGere: Chicago Bears agree on 2-year deal with backup OL Sowell - Pro Football Weekly - Bears versatile veteran could have tested market in free agency

Finley: Updated predictions before NFL free agency - Chicago Sun-Times - We'll know a lot more about team needs in a week, after the first wave of big-money free agent signings has washed over the league.

Finley: Bradley Sowell re-signs on 2-year contract - Chicago Sun-Times - Bradley Sowell started two games last season, filling in at guard and tackle. He started nine games at tackle for the Seahawks in 2016.

Price: Chicago Bears mock draft 2018: Quenton Nelson, Denzel Ward among targets - Chicago Sun-Times - A look at how 14 different mock drafts are projecting what the Bears will do with the No. 8 overall pick.

Jahns: Five moves we would make in free agency if we ran the Bears - Chicago Sun-Times - With GM Ryan Pace wading into what he calls the “treacherous waters” of free agency, here are five moves we would make if we ran the Bears.

Finley: Team extends contracts to WRs Cam Meredith, Josh Bellamy - Chicago Sun-Times - The team plans to extend original-round contract tenders to restricted free agents Cam Meredith and Josh Bellamy.

The Bears' sales pitch is Mitch Trubisky and only Mitch Trubisky - Chicago Tribune - As free agency begins, Mitch Trubisky is the Bears' hood ornament, engine and air freshener dangling from the rear-view mirror who's supposed to deodorize the GM's decision to pay Markus Wheaton cash money. GM Ryan Pace is selling Trubisky and only Trubisky because that's all he has. Ken's Note: Wow, silly me, I thought it was the tens of millions of dollars in cap space that was the main point, but I guess no, it's all Mitch.

Kane: Free-agent WR Allen Robinson talks potential fit with Bears, 49ers - Chicago Tribune - When asked about playing in Chicago, Allen Robinson said he has heard people say the Bears are interested in him.

Biggs: In need of wide receivers, Bears keeping Cameron Meredith and Josh Bellamy - Chicago Tribune - The Chicago Bears are expected to give original-round tenders to restricted free agents Cameron Meredith and Josh Bellamy, likely securing both wide receivers for the 2018 season. The original-round tender is $1.907 million.

Kane: Prince Amukamara and Sam Acho among Bears free agents to watch as window opens - Chicago Tribune - As Bears general manager Ryan Pace searches for upgrades via the free-agent market this week, several Bears players will look to secure their futures either in Chicago or elsewhere.

Wiederer: Reminder as NFL free agency begins - It's really just a glorified garage sale - Chicago Tribune - As NFL free agency kicks off this week, Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Pace will again try to leave his mark. But Pace understands free agency's risks and has a desire to be smart, practical and calculated in the weeks ahead. Fans should set their expectations accordingly.

Talarico's Complete Chicago Bears Mock 1.0 - Da Bears Brothers - Mark Talarico unveils his first Chicago Bears mock draft of the offseason. Who does he have Ryan Pace selecting with each pick?

Stankeviz: The Bears can pitch stability and upside, but can Ryan Pace find the right targets in free agency? - NBC Sports Chicago - The Bears are in a better place than they were a year ago, but can Ryan Pace use that to his advantage as he looks to reverse his lack of success in the free agent market?

The Chicago Bears have the No. 8 pick of the 2018 NFL Draft. Here are the 5 previous No. 8 picks - Pro Football Weekly - In the 2018 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears own the No. 8 overall pick. With plenty of options ahead of them, here are where the five previous teams went at No. 8 in the draft.

LeGere: Chicago Bears agree on 2-year deal with backup OL Sowell - Pro Football Weekly - Bears versatile veteran could have tested market in free agency

LeGere: Chicago Bears expected to retain top 3 RFAs with $1.9M tenders - Pro Football Weekly - Bears should keep WRs Meredith and Bellamy, CB Callahan

March Madness: Who is the best Bears player of all time? - Bears Wire - Get in on the March Madness fun with Bears Wire's bracket for the best Chicago Bears player of all time.

Cox: Bears re-sign OL Bradley Sowell to 2-year deal - Bears Wire - The Chicago Bears brought back offensive lineman Bradley Sowell on a two-year deal to provide versatile depth in the trenches.

Perez: Chicago Bears to give original-round tender to WR Josh Bellamy - Bears Wire - The Chicago Bears will tender a contract to WR Josh Bellamy

Cox: Bears place RFA tender on WR Cameron Meredith - Bears Wire - The Chicago Bears ensured they have control over wide receiver Cameron Meredith by tendering the restricted free agent.

Perez: Bears pursuing free agent tight end Jimmy Graham - Bears Wire - The Chicago Bears are in the mix for free agent TE Jimmy Graham

Cox: Bears, Packers battling for Allen Robinson and Sammy Watkins - Bears Wire - Both the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers are competing for the biggest free-agent wide receivers on the open market.

Mayer: Bears ink Sowell to two-year extension - ChicagoBears.com - The Bears on Monday agreed to terms with veteran offensive lineman Bradley Sowell on a two-year contract extension.

Dickerson: Chicago Bears' 2018 free agency - Bradley Sowell provides OL depth - Chicago Bears- ESPN - The Bears' first move in free agency won't make a big splash, but bringing back Bradley Sowell on a two-year deal is a solid move with little risk.

Hawley: Bears bring back offensive lineman Bradley Sowell on a two-year deal - WGN-TV - Before the Bears start looking outside the organization for help, they've started to bring a few of their own back on NFL Free Agent week.

Hughes: On the Cusp of Free Agency… - Da Bears Blog - Yes, the fan base is hungry but free agency is almost never the time to feed them. Spend some money, sure, but spend wisely and spend young. Any long-term guaranteed cash should be invested in players who will be part of the team’s plans for the duration of Mitch Trubisky’s rookie contract.

POLISH SAUSAGE

Garafolo: In-depth look at Richard Sherman's 3-year deal with 49ers - NFL.com - NFL Network's Mike Garafolo provides an in-depth breakdown of Richard Sherman's three-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers.

Florio: Teams, agents would prefer to get on with free agency – ProFootballTalk - The 52-hour negotiating window opened eight hours ago, and not much has really happened. Multiple league sources have told PFT that, for the most part, the negotiating process has proceeded slowly and tentatively.

KNOW THY ENEMY

Packers Free Agency Rumor: Green Bay may be in play for WR Allen Robinson - Acme Packing Company - Rumors are flying as legal tampering begins, and one of the most intriguing involves the Packers being a possible landing spot for a top free agent wideout.

Packers Free Agency: Jimmy Graham drawing interest from Packers & Saints, per reports - Acme Packing Company - The former Seahawks tight end has been linked to the Saints as well, but Green Bay could be kicking the tires.

WLudford: Is it a Buyer’s Market for Free Agent QBs? - Daily Norseman - The Tampering Period is about to open, and Mike Florio over at PFT has been speculating about the free agent QB market and what tactics teams in the market for a QB may use this time around.

Report: Vikings reach out to Drew Brees - Daily Norseman - Well, the Saints STILL haven’t signed him.

NFL free agency rumors: Vikings reach out to Drew Brees - Pride Of Detroit - Could the NFC North be gaining another Hall-of-Fame quarterback?

Detroit Lions rumors: Lions in a ‘two-team race’ for CB Malcolm Butler - Pride Of Detroit - The Lions are reportedly interested in acquiring Malcolm Butler... or maybe not.

Reisman: Detroit Lions reportedly interested in Eagles DT Beau Allen - Pride Of Detroit - The Lions have finally shown some interest in a defensive lineman.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON

Wiltfong: Chicago Bears re-sign Bradley Sowell - Windy City Gridiron - The Chicago Bears are bringing back one of their own free agents.

Wiltfong: Bears free agency rumor tracker 2018 - Windy City Gridiron - The latest has the Chicago bears showing interest in tight ends Jimmy Graham and Austin Seferian-Jenkins, and wide receiver Sammy Watkins. More updates as news breaks.

Zeglinski: Bears free agency primer 2018 - Fits, targets, and needs all in one - Windy City Gridiron - On this edition of WCG Radio, we discuss the detailed ramifications of this Bears’ free agency. It’s the most important open market period for Ryan Pace yet.

Duerrwaechter: Bears to Place Tender on Josh Bellamy; Patrick Scales not to Return - Windy City Gridiron - A familiar face in the Bears’ special teams and receiving corps is being brought back for another year.

Zeglinski: Bears assign original round tender to Cameron Meredith - Windy City Gridiron - As a restricted free agent, the Bears now have the option to safe keep and match any deal that comes Meredith’s way.

Wiltfong: The Bears will tender restricted free agent Bryce Callahan - Windy City Gridiron - The Chicago Bears are tendering restricted free agent nickleback Bryce Callahan at the right of first refusal.

Duerrwaechter: Bears Not Expected to Tender Daniel Brown, John Timu - Windy City Gridiron - A pair of familiar depth names from the past few seasons aren’t expected to return to the Windy City.

WCG CONTRIBUTORS BEARS PODCASTS & STREAMS

2 Minute Drill - Website - iTunes - Andrew Link; Steven’s Streaming – Twitch – Steven Schweickert; T-Formation Conversation - Website - iTunes - Lester Wiltfong, Jr.; WCG Radio - Website - Robert Zeglinski

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