Bear Hands

I think McGovern would be just as solid. He could be the get for center. Elsewhere in the OL; Taylor Decker just became available….

Maxx Crosby to BAL for (2) 1sts

Bears get their center.. https://nfltraderumors.co/trade-patriots-trading-c-garrett-bradbury-to-bears/ Bradberry from the Pats

I think it's moreso because I think Nijman is back. Haven't really considered the rest of the field but it sounds like something we're already working out.

Needs aren't ranked/nothing is ranked here. I'm unsure if Princely is ready for a heavy snap load. Scourton should be but you need that solid short-term plug in the interim IMO. But if we think we're in a window, you've got to get better than the annual Wonnum-types we've been grabbing.

Yeah saw the Biadasz news. The center market is going to be aggressive as hell that's for sure. You've got us, Minny, Chicago, Titans, Bills at the least. Linderbaum, McGovern, Mays, & Cushenberry - Two random ideas: Sean Rhyan had started for a bit at GB as a G/C. We take their OL discards. Also - just a beautiful head of hair and stash lol. Maybe Luke Fortner is an option.

This type of thing is usually not roster related. Most likely a local PR thing with the team.

Notes of mine heading into FA FA Notes & Targets To Get Out of the Way... Where We Stand: We played our bahoovies off in the wildcard round, but don't forget that we fell backwards into the playoffs. It was not a consistent stretch of quality ball. Yeah, we had eye raising moments/games, but the ups weren’t sustained. Paying sticker price on too many top free agents creates an imbalance. Maybe 1 or 2 decent signings, but the focus should be based on a combo of impact+value. Still keep an eye out for an A'Shawn trade - Bengals could send us a pick or two. We save $10 mil. May end up released. Positional Notes: Linebacker Unit: Target all over, find the clearest, best impact in both FA and Draft. I really hope we identify a rookie we love. Clear as day to us all, it’s a major hole. Rozeboom & Wallace should be depth/elsewhere. Center: Big need, but it's going to be a competitive market for Mays, Linderbaum and McGovern. Pass Rush: There are obvious upgrades available. I get many like young, slightly cheaper vet, with more long term viability, but I don’t think we’re limiting ourselves to that pool. We've tried it with Wonnum, P Jones, and others. We may go for more of a splash here. I personally think Chubb happens. DB Group: An additional Slot Defender/NB/Box type is a need. Smith-Wade looked good at times, but he’s more of a traditional, finesse Nickel. Having a more diverse, physical nickel would go a long way. You don’t need to go full-blown Emannwori, think in the Pitre or DeJean mold as well. The draft is ideal for this, FA not so much WR: Keep building via draft. Don't waste money at this spot, especially on a WR2/3 like Doubs or someone. Overall Needs: Offense: QB2, RB3, WR3/4, TE, OT, C, Swing Depth Defense: NT/DT, EDGE, NB, ILB, DB-BPA Neat idea, but not happening: Tyler Linderbaum Center & Alec Pierce WR - I just don’t see us competing financially for their services. I believe we target defense with the heftier contracts. Trey Hendrickson would be just too much of a hit considering the holes we have. Unsure if it makes sense. Realistic FA Targets: Justin Strnad LB - Watch for him. Familiarity, capable guy, good blitzer, had a solid 2025 for a top defense. He reportedly wants to start. And don't forget: this was the guy Evero hand-picked to bring along when he was signed, but JS changed his mind last minute and stayed in Denver for his family. We had a contract drafted up. There's great value here and an obvious fit. Connor McGovern C - He’s an effective guy in the middle that would allow us to just focus on defense in the draft. I can see Mays and Linderbaum heading to Chicago/Nashville/Vegas/LAC. Meanwhile, McGovern provides us with value and a sure thing in the middle. One of Mays/McGovern/Linderbaum would be nice. Bradley Chubb EDGE/DE - I’m not jumping up and down for him but given what we’ve heard, I think he's a very clear upgrade that we're looking at. Had a decent 'recovery' year coming off injury. May not warrant a hefty price tag given recent history and would instantly boost our pass rush. Bradley Above is simply who I like for us, at this time, at positions of need. More Under the Radar types.. Eric Wilson ILB - Had a solid year for the Vikings. A tad on the older side at 32 but proved he's got some juice left for a few more years. Would be a value signing. EJ Speed ILB - I've liked him, he's had an impact in his career so far. Don't really know the history for why the Colts traded him within the division but he's had some good moments. Was a tackling machine for a while in Indy and has plenty left in the tank. Roger McCreary DB - He's about the only slot defender I like for us via FA. I would like to see this done via draft but would get it as a signing. Young, good starting experience, got banged up for LAR, where Curl showed up and they just landed McDuffie. Watch for him. May not warrant a big price tag but provides a solid guy to be slotted right in with Smith-Wade. Sean Tucker RB - He should not be much. Tucker can be a real home run hitter. Has proven to be darn efficient and I'm unsure we want to bank on Brooks/Etienne behind Chubba. He knows how to chip in and pinch hit. Add: Watch for a guy like Josh Jones LT. older 1-year tackle rentals that should do just fine. That’s an easy decision if Nijman doesn’t come back. Who we're probably considering if we get aggressive: Devin Lloyd LB - very hyped as a rookie, took a while to figure it out, but has. Roquan/Warner are the most expensive off-ballers around $20 mil/yr. This is probably a ~$17-19 mil/year price tag. Steep price. Bobby Okereke LB - Could be a nice veteran to pull the unit together. Need a guy who can bring some definition to the defense. Leo Chenal LB - Has had a few very nice seasons, a tad under the radar, being behind two studs in Tranquill and Bolton. Only 25, some great upside. 1300+ snaps and an 87.4 grade on that site we all totally love and never debate about. Only thing - he's very useful in blitz packages and KC played him more than just ILB. He may be too gadgety and blitz reliant for Evero. Malcolm Koonce EDGE/DE - had some upward trajectory, then had an ACL tear, and then stalled in the mess that was the Raiders in 2025. Still 4.5 sacks and improved run-d. Could be a value signing. Fun Idea, but will get overpaid elsewhere: Wandale Robinson WR - A guy who is blooming, would command about $15-16 mil annually, maybe more. But would add so much to this offense. I’d see if he’s at least interested. Just like the fit but yeah, not happening. Jaelen Philips EDGE - The price on him with his injury history scares me too much. I think Tillis is wise enough to help our FO stay away from this type of overpay/risk combination.

I like the market, but I think we could do better than Edmunds. Being in Chicago, I've seen it up close. He's a solid linebacker, but has had injuries and a lot of wtf lapses. He's the classic overpaid solid starter that at one point was hyped as a top guy. The defense actually played a bit better when he was out this past year. Wouldn't hate it but don't necessarily want it.

The squad is really in tune with each other and working super well. We’re the best in the league since Christmas. I would be very cautious to make a ton of moves. If any, we need to be extremely careful and make sure it’s for a legit impact player to make a 4-man wrecking crew w/ Ball/Miller/Kon. The move I’d make— Bam. If you can manage that with picks and Bridges, could be an interesting move. But absolutely preserve Lamelo/White, Kon, Miller, and Diabate/Kalk at minimum.

Allen finally has a competent receiver. Will be interesting to see how they continue to attack this offseason. They need to build that defense up but still need pieces on O.

Keeping this separate from FA talks. Starting off- DJ Moore has been traded to the Bills... WOW

Yep - didn't intend it as a full dig. It's just the way things are going. There is a much higher percentage of prospects 23+ these days. It's far different than it used to be so I do understand that we have to stay open. If a guy can hit the ground running in his mid-20s, it's all about impact. If you ID that type go get him. There could be a few around 20 that fit that mold. Just don't take a 5th year who is still considered developmental [cough] XL

Surprised by the lack of DBs in R2-3. It’s a great class. I like S-W but think we have a bit of a need for a real slot defender — anywhere from a DeJean to Pitre mold that could also be depth outside given all our 6 DB looks.

CJ Allen will end up being the most mocked guy to us this mock season. Rodriguez would be perfect in R2.

Meh

Would love Rodriguez if we don’t go CJ Allen or Hill Jr. R1. Think he’s an excellent player that won’t have much issue translating. Like him ahead of Trotter but both would fit our scheme as odd front offballs. Mesidor I like, he’s a guy who should have an immediate impact but is also 25

Before opening, I was convinced this was going to be our 4th re-signing of David Moore lol

Chubb & Chenal would be my preferred FAs. Very manageable from a cap standpoint and are instant improvements that create definition on defense. Hendrickson & Lloyd will be top of their positional market, but I think you get similar value for a tad less in the first two mentioned. Hendrickson is the only real top-tier talent that doesn't show up on the FA market often. Would be a fun swing for his final 3ish years. Okereke is very interesting to me. Loved him that final year in Indy and he's still got a good motor. Had some injuries but nothing hindering his continued performance. Under the radar would be Justin Strnad.

Bobby Okereke released, doesn’t fit Harbaugh’s D model but is still quality. Want him over any others honestly. Pair him with Jacob Rodriguez, that would be a strong interior LB crew

I don’t think getting Lloyd is a move that says “we’re all in” - and even if they think a guy like Trotter/Allen/Rodriguez could be great in the draft, we need a defensive captain. Chenal is appealing and my target, but you never know how things are behind the scenes/which players like who/who goes well together and Chenal is probably getting 15-18 per anyways. I get it with Lloyd. And I don’t think Chubb will be Meagan pricey but we’ll see. I personally see a trade on the horizon and Lloyd coming in given everything I’ve read between the lines.

I’d prefer him to not be on the active roster.

I’m here haha. The 2 most coveted spots are QB and a premiere Pass Rusher. I have a hard time seeing him go outside the top-5, definitely not outside the top-10. It shows how highly they’re thought of when Mykel Williams and Shemar Stewart go as high as they did. Bain would’ve easily been ahead of them and Carter last year.

I just can’t believe he was a 1st rounder. Albeit pick 32 but ooof. Who knows, maybe he turns it around but there’s something that is so off with him… its his whole game… His pace, lack of short area quickness, poor awareness, a lot of stuff that going into year 3 is pretty much make or break. It’s wild because our FO seemed soo intent on the guy but he really doesn’t fit with the team well. I just don’t see a guy that’s a net positive when you put him in. You hold your breath when he’s the first or second read.