LINK to the article Off-Season in Review: Chicago Bears
With
training camp about to kick off in 3 weeks, I thought it’s a perfect time to recap the Chicago Bears off-season. The Bears off-season was anything but quiet and slow. There was lots of rumors (of course that didn’t happen), but also a lot of moves were made. Here’s the rundown of the Bears off-season:
January 3rd: The Bears let go long long time general manager Jerry Angelo.
January 3rd: The Bears and offensive coordinator Mike Martz decided to part ways.
January 28th: The Bears hired Phil Emery as their new general manager.
March 1st: The Bears released DL Anthony Adams and OL Frank Omiyale.
March 2nd: The Bears placed the franchise tag on RB Matt Forte which would pay him 7.7 million.
March 12th: The Bears tendered a contract to RB Khalil Bell which would pay him 1.26 million.
March 13th: The Bears re-signed CB Tim Jennings to a 2-year deal
March 13th: The Bears acquired pro bowl WR Brandon Marshall for 2 3rd round picks (1 3rd was in this year’s draft and 1 in next year’s draft.)
March 13th: The Bears signed back-up QB Jason Campbell to a 1-year contract.
March 13th: The Bears signed LB Blake Constanzo to a 2-year contract.
March 14th: The Bears signed WR/KR Eric Weems to a 3-year contract.
March 14th: The Bears re-signed QB Josh McCown to a 1-year contract.
March 14th: The Bears re-signed TE Kellen Davis to a 2-year contract.
March 15th: The Bears re-signed DL Israel Idonije to a 1-year contract.
March 16th: The Bears re-signed S Craig Steltz to a 2-year contract.
March 22nd: The Bears signed RB Michael Bush to a 4-year contract.
March 23rd: Marion Barber decided to retire from the NFL, he was still under contract with the Bears.
March 28th: The Bears signed WR Devin Thomas to a 1-year contract.
April 5th: The Bears signed CB Johnathan Wilhite to a 1-year deal.
April 5th: The Bears signed CB Kelvin Hayden to a 1-year deal.
April 11th: Agreed to a 1-year contract extension with LB Lance Briggs.
April 18th: The Bears signed OL Chilo Rachal to a 1-year deal.
April 19th: The Bears signed LB Geno Hayes to a 1-year contract.
April 19th: The Bears waived WR Max Komar.
April 26th: The Bears drafted DL/LB Shea McClellin in the 1st round.
April 27th: The Bears drafted WR Alshon Jeffery in the 2nd round and S Brandon Hardin in the 3rd round.
April 28th: The Bears drafted TE Evan Rodriguez in the 4th round, CB Isaiah Frey in the 6th round and Greg McCoy in the 7th round.
May 2nd: The Bears agreed to terms with Alshon Jeffery on a 4-year contract.
May 3rd: The Bears waived S Winston Venable.
May 8th: The Bears agreed to terms with Evan Rodriguez and Greg McCoy on 4-year contracts.
May 9th: The Bears agreed to terms with Isaiah Frey on a 4-year contract.
May 11th: The Bears signed DT John McCargo, DT DeMario Pressley and DE Cheta Ozougwu to 1-year contracts.
May 11th: The Bears agreed to terms with Shea McClellin on a 4-year contract with a 5th year option.
May 14th: The Bears waived OL Levin Horn, TE Andre Smith and OL Reggie Stephens.
May 15th: The Bears agreed to terms with Brandon Hardin on a 4-year contract.
May 23rd: The Bears signed DL Nate Collins to a 1-year contract.
June 14th: The Bears waived QB Nate Enderle.
That’s all of the moves the Bears have made since the 2011-2012 season ended. New GM Phil Emery was anything but shy in making moves during his first year. I can’t judge him until the season plays out he needs time under the belt, but I say he did one hell of a job thus far.
The last move I see the Bears making before preseason is … signing RB Matt Forte to a contract extension. I do now see both parties reaching a deal by the July 16th deadline.
Now who’s ready for some
FOOTBALL?!
