Possible Bears Extensions

I know that we cannot afford all of these deals, but I wondering what people think about the deals/money and who they would want to resign.

RB Matt Forte [5 years 45 million/21 guaranteed]

A must resign and the most dynamic playmaker that the Bears have.

WR Johnny Knox [5 years 20 million/12 guaranteed]

There were rumors that the Bears tried to extend him and I think they should try again to allow him further development. I believe Knox would be a great #2 if the Bears bring in a #1.

CB D.J Moore [4 years 12 million/5 guaranteed]

Perfect for the defense and a true take away machine he should be resigned for the top level of what a nickel CB gets.

TE Kellen Davis [1 years 2.5 million/1 guaranteed]

The Bears and Davis have still not realized his potential, but he is a very good run blocker and I think could be a very good receiver.

DT Amobi Okoye [4 years 14 million/6 guaranteed]

Okoye has proven to be a nice rotational player and has shown he can get to the QB. The Bears should try and resign him and keep him in the competition, but he is not worth breaking the bank for.

DT Henry Melton [4 years 18.5 million/10 guaranteed]

The Bears are in a position where a number of their young players have stepped up. Melton has not been consistent, but he has flashed dominance and he will have the stats to get a decent offer from other teams.

OG Lance Louis [5 years 20 million/8 guaranteed]

This is my dark horse signing as he has excelled at RT and showed tremendous improvement. Louis looks like a starting OLmen in the NFL and the Bears should reward the work that he has put in and the hustle and versatility that he has shown.

CB Corey Graham [3 years 6 million/3 guaranteed]

A valuable special teamer and has flashed a knack for the ball in limited defensive reps. The Bears should keep the special teams captain.

CB Tim Jennings [3 years 12 million/6 guaranteed]

Jennings is a solid starter and at times looks like a blanket cover man. Jennings physical nature and violent tacking is a key in the Bears defense.

DE Israel Idoinje [2 years 6 million/ 2 guaranteed]

Idonije might not be the pass rusher that the Bears need across from Peppers he is a great run stuffer and a perfect rotational player.

My order of importance,

1. Matt Forte
2. Lance Louis
3. D.J Moore
4. Johnny Knox
5. Tim Jennings

I'm not gonna estimate $$$ figures for these guys because I have no way of knowing exactly how the deals they get will be structured. It may be a good idea for you to pass on spending time with that aspect of it too Windy. Your figures don't always match up with reality. Case in point. Bennett got a deal that was 50% higher in total dollars and 100% higher in guarantees then you estimated. Forte won't get anywhere near those number. He gets a four year offer, five at most, so with a $45 mil price tag $9 to $10 mil per year! Sorry, not gonna happen. He may get close to $18 mil guaranteed but the whole deal won't come to more than $30 mil, $35 mil tops. They'll give him around a $7 mil per average but no more than that if even that.

Let's start with the 3 year guys; Melton, Louis, Knox, Moore, and Kahlil Bell are all RFA next year so there isn't an imperative in signing them now. Not to say we shouldn't but none of them is an UFA after the season is through so you focus the $$$ on the guys who are UFA's.

That leaves us with; Forte, Davis, Okoye, Graham, Jennings and Idonije and all should be resigned.

Here's what each is making in 2011.

Forte= $660k
Davis= $555k
Okoye= $1.3825 mil
Graham= $ ????? (his contract details aren't published but I'd guess from $1.2 to $1.5 mil)
Jennings= $1.4 mil
Idonije= $2.5 mil

So there you have an idea of what these guys are making this year and you may be able to base some educated guesses on that and what the worth of their position is but it's not easy making those projections until you have an accurate picture of the Bears cap situation and right now we don't.