Lowering Expectations: A Look at the Chicago Bears’ Free Agent History
Published by Steve Pauley on February 26, 2010
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears
This may surprise you.
The Chicago Bears had the fifth highest payroll in the NFL for the year 2009.
That’s right. The only teams with a higher total salary (meaning salary plus bonuses) were the Saints, Texans, Dolphins, and Giants.
To put that in perspective, the Bears spent roughly $15 million more than the Washington Redskins.
How is that possible?
Well, it wasn’t through free agent signings. Of the $120.6 million that Chicago spent last season, only about $20 million came from players acquired via free agency. The remaining balance was largely due to lucrative contract extensions given to players like Jay Cutler, Brian Urlacher, and Lance Briggs.
That’s how the Bears operate. Build through the draft and trades, and then reward the players who produce.
For Julius Peppers fans, the harsh reality is that Chicago simply isn’t a big player in free agency.
To elaborate on that point, let’s examine the last three offseasons.
The following is a list of free agents signed and their total base salaries (meaning without bonuses or escalators). Players who did not make the final roster are not included.
2007
Anthony Adams: four years, $4 million
2008
Marty Booker: two years, $3.5 million
Brandon Lloyd: one year, $645,000
Kevin Jones: one year, $605,000
2009
Orlando Pace: three years, $15 million
Frank Omiyale: four years, $11.5 million
Kevin Shaffer: three years, $6 million
Michael Gaines: one year, $1.62 million
Pisa Tinoisamoa: one year, $1.5 million
Josh Bullocks: one year, $1.2 million
On the surface, the Bears were relatively active last summer, signing more players and committing more salary than in the previous two years combined.
However, it would be a mistake to assume that this marks a radical change in philosophy. After the Cutler trade, Chicago was loading up for what it thought would be a possible Super Bowl run.
Needless to say, expectations have been lowered.
It’s widely assumed that bosses Lovie Smith and Jerry Angelo are facing a “win or else” mandate from ownership, leading to speculation that Chicago might be more willing to shell out big money for marquee free agents.
The problem here is that Smith and Angelo still have to answer to someone—and that someone is the notoriously frugal McCaskey family. Sure, they’ll pay to keep their own players, but they simply don’t cut big checks to free agents.
Peppers is expected to demand at least $40 million in guaranteed money on the open market. Over the last three years, the Bears have spent roughly $45 million on all of their free agents combined.
Look at the history. Do the math. And in true Chicago fashion, lower your expectations.
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