# 2024 NFL Pre-Draft Thread - The Chicago Bears are on the clock (for now) **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** football-nfl\ **Created:** [February 14, 2024, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nfl-pre-draft-thread-the-chicago-bears-are-on-the-clock-for-now/997548 "2024-02-14T07:01:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2024, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nfl-pre-draft-thread-the-chicago-bears-are-on-the-clock-for-now/997548/81 "2024-03-05T18:45:33Z")
> [@Chisquirrel](#): > > Dead cap is not salary. His release will be designated as a post-6/1 release, allowing them to spread the dead cap over two years instead of just coming due this one. > > Spotrac: $37M 2025 salary fully guarantees 3/17/2024 (injury guaranteed at sign) How does that in any way contradict when I said: > [@Atamasama](#): > > He’s not only getting $39M this year, but another $40M next year. TroutMan was saying he was only going to be getting the $39M this year which is inaccurate. Even you seem to be agreeing with me (in a confused manner). ETA: Wait a second, I might be wrong, and the radio folks might be confused, based on this article: > **[Russell Wilson contract guarantees, explained: Why Broncos must pay...](https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/russell-wilson-contract-guarantees-broncos-dead-salary-cap/a5a117fa7c2a45787a5f63fa)** > > The Broncos are taking the largest dead cap hit in NFL history by releasing Russell Wilson, and it's not particularly close. > The Broncos owe Wilson $39 million for the 2024 NFL season. Once they pay that sum to the veteran quarterback, they won’t owe him anything more. > > Denver already paid Wilson $85 million of the $124 million it fully guaranteed him at signing. The $39 million figure will make up the difference between those sums. > > Wilson will just miss out on another $37 million, as his salary for 2025 would become guaranteed if he were on the roster as of the fourth day of the 2024 NFL league year (March 17). Mea culpa, these contracts are as clear as mud. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2024, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nfl-pre-draft-thread-the-chicago-bears-are-on-the-clock-for-now/997548/82 "2024-03-05T18:50:48Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > TroutMan was saying he was only going to be getting the $39M this year which is inaccurate. No, he’s not getting another $40M next year from the Broncos. That amount counts against Denver’s salary cap, but it isn’t actually being paid to Wilson. It was already paid to him, mostly as his signing bonus. And I was about to add a lengthy description with a link to a good explainer, but I see you just posted the same article I was going to link. So I’ll avoid trying to explain any more, because I’m sure I would have made it even more opaque. Contracts and the salary cap are really confusing. ---
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2024, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nfl-pre-draft-thread-the-chicago-bears-are-on-the-clock-for-now/997548/83 "2024-03-05T18:55:49Z")
If his ego can handle it, I would think a good angle for both Wilson and a QB-needy but wary team would be to sign a two-year deal, the first year for small money since Denver is paying, and the second year laden with incentives, so if Wilson hits X, Y, and Z benchmarks, he gets a big payday. If that happens, it works out for both parties (since presumably the team would be doing well if Wilson is playing that good). ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2024, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nfl-pre-draft-thread-the-chicago-bears-are-on-the-clock-for-now/997548/84 "2024-03-05T18:56:01Z")
> [@TroutMan](#): > > And I was about to add a lengthy description with a link to a good explainer, but I see you just posted the same article I was going to link. So I’ll avoid trying to explain any more, because I’m sure I would have made it even more opaque. > > Contracts and the salary cap are really confusing. No shit LOL. 😆 > [@ShadowFacts](#): > > If his ego can handle it, I would think a good angle for both Wilson and a QB-needy but wary team would be to sign a two-year deal, the first year for small money since Denver is paying, and the second year laden with incentives, so if Wilson hits X, Y, and Z benchmarks, he gets a big payday. That would be brilliant and great for both sides. ---
**Author:** ![Chisquirrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@Chisquirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chisquirrel)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2024, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nfl-pre-draft-thread-the-chicago-bears-are-on-the-clock-for-now/997548/85 "2024-03-05T19:10:54Z")
You got it figured out. It’s confusing, but the key to remember is cap hits - while related to salaries, bonuses, etc. - are not those. The discussion has been about Denver’s cap, not their financial commitments to Russell Wilson, but sports media is very much not good at keeping them separate and explaining the difference. All I learned about salary caps I learned from Vic Ketchman, who ran a daily Q&A for Packers fans when he was the senior editor for [packers.com](http://packers.com). Apparently, he started the column years before when working for the Pittsburgh Steelers specifically to explain how the salary cap worked. The first time I was actually confused about a cap hit was Rodgers being traded last year. There was so much convoluted bullshit in that contract, I’m still not sure if everything’s been done correctly. And whoever developed the concept of void years should be voided from football. For life. ---
**Author:** ![Airbeck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/airbeck/32/6574_2.png) [@Airbeck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airbeck)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2024, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nfl-pre-draft-thread-the-chicago-bears-are-on-the-clock-for-now/997548/86 "2024-03-05T19:30:08Z")
Jaylon Johnson has been franchise tagged as they still try to work out a long term deal. Looks like CB will not be a high priority need in the draft for the Bears, which is good because at present, I believe the Bears have 5 total picks? Albeit the number 1 and 9 picks are part of that. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2024, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nfl-pre-draft-thread-the-chicago-bears-are-on-the-clock-for-now/997548/87 "2024-03-05T20:01:04Z")
> **[Jason Kelce Retirement Press Conference: March 4, 2024](https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/video/jason-kelce-retirement-press-conference-march-4-2024)** > > The All-Pro center delivered a retirement speech for the ages as he officially said farewell to the NFL. Just in case you need a good purging cry. I do hope he goes into coaching. He would be a powerful coach/force in a young life. ---
**Author:** ![Chisquirrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@Chisquirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chisquirrel)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2024, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nfl-pre-draft-thread-the-chicago-bears-are-on-the-clock-for-now/997548/88 "2024-03-05T22:10:59Z")
I haven’t watched the video, but I saw two clips of the press conference - one of his brother dabbing away tears, and another of their embrace as he left the microphone. Jason’s comment about losing to his brother in the Super Bowl was fantastic, and absolutely humanizes these giants of the gridiron. > I won’t forget falling short to the Chiefs and the conflicted feeling of immense heartbreak I had selfishly for myself and for my teammates, and at the same time the amount of pride I had that my brother had climbed the mountain top once again. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2024, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nfl-pre-draft-thread-the-chicago-bears-are-on-the-clock-for-now/997548/89 "2024-03-08T00:32:33Z")
High end safeties getting cut left and right. Looks like the position could be getting devalued the way the feature RB has been devalued; they’re just going to go with anyone who’s just sufficient. ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2024, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nfl-pre-draft-thread-the-chicago-bears-are-on-the-clock-for-now/997548/90 "2024-03-08T02:38:58Z")
Some good news in Chicago. > **[Bears to sign Jaylon Johnson to new, long-term contract extension](https://www.nbcsportschicago.com/nfl/chicago-bears/source-bears-sign-jaylon-johnson-to-contract-extension/545208/)** > > Johnson gets his payday. The Bears get their star cornerback for several years. The general consensus seems to be that this deal is a rare win-win. Both sides seem really happy with the outcome. Johnson gets a bunch of guaranteed money and the chance to hit the market again in his age 28 season. The Bears get to pay top 10 money for a top 5 CB instead of resetting the market which was an earlier rumor. Poles managed to get his biggest piece of FA business done. Hopefully he doesn’t end up on the Eddie Jackson plan. ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2024, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nfl-pre-draft-thread-the-chicago-bears-are-on-the-clock-for-now/997548/91 "2024-03-09T21:10:02Z")
I hate to complement them, but I think the Browns did a good job getting Jerry Jeudy for just a 5th and a 6th round draft picks. Although he hasn’t lived up to his draft position, I think he’s a good addition at that price. Although it does put me in a tough position. I like Jeudy, but currently hate the Browns. And I really want him to do well to show just what a tyrannical idiot Sean Payton is. So hopefully he’ll get 90 catches, 1100 yards, 5 tds … and the Browns will go 0-17. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2024, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nfl-pre-draft-thread-the-chicago-bears-are-on-the-clock-for-now/997548/92 "2024-03-10T16:04:14Z")
Mac Jones to the Jaguars for probably a 6th round pick. Unless some crazy trade occurs, it’s looking likely that QBs will be going 1-2-3 in the draft this year. > **[Sources: Patriots to trade QB Jones to Jaguars](https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/39699526/sources-patriots-trade-qb-mac-jones-jaguars)** > > The Patriots are finalizing a deal to send quarterback Mac Jones to the Jaguars, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Sunday. ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2024, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nfl-pre-draft-thread-the-chicago-bears-are-on-the-clock-for-now/997548/93 "2024-03-10T16:49:38Z")
So who is the fourth best quarterback in the draft class? Who the Giants gettin? I never bothered to check when the Giants draft. 6th! What a shitshow this past season was. ---
**Author:** ![Zakalwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zakalwe/32/270_2.png) [@Zakalwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zakalwe)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2024, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nfl-pre-draft-thread-the-chicago-bears-are-on-the-clock-for-now/997548/94 "2024-03-10T16:50:36Z")
So a question for you draft experts: What are the odds that any deal with the Bears is announced before they actually go on the clock? It seems to me to provide no benefit to the Bears to sign any earlier since somebody might get desperate enough to top whatever offer(s) the Bears have in head. I’m sure the conversations are already happening, I just don’t see the announcement happening before fucknut says “The Chicago Bears are on the clock.”. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2024, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nfl-pre-draft-thread-the-chicago-bears-are-on-the-clock-for-now/997548/95 "2024-03-10T16:58:19Z")
> [@Zakalwe](#): > > What are the odds that any deal with the Bears is announced before they actually go on the clock? Very high, I believe. Trading the #1 pick is a big deal, and the Bears have undoubtedly been entertaining offers (formal or informal) for it since it became clear that they’d have that pick. For what it’s worth, last year, the Bears traded the #1 overall pick to the Panthers on [March 10th](https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/reports-bears-trade-no-1-overall-pick-in-2023-nfl-draft-to-panthers) (exactly one year ago today 😃 ), over six weeks prior to the draft, which was held on April 27-29. If they choose to make that trade, they will have made the decision to do so well before the draft, so that they can plan their draft board accordingly. ---
**Author:** ![Southern\_Yankee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/southern_yankee/32/2800_2.png) [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2024, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nfl-pre-draft-thread-the-chicago-bears-are-on-the-clock-for-now/997548/96 "2024-03-10T17:06:40Z")
The Panthers had 6 weeks to do all of their expert analysis to make sure they got the right guy… smh. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2024, 6:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nfl-pre-draft-thread-the-chicago-bears-are-on-the-clock-for-now/997548/97 "2024-03-11T06:57:22Z")
Annnd there we go with Wilson… > ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2024, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nfl-pre-draft-thread-the-chicago-bears-are-on-the-clock-for-now/997548/98 "2024-03-11T15:19:34Z")
[![](https://i1.sndcdn.com/artworks-000296509803-pmytqn-t500x500.jpg) ](https://i1.sndcdn.com/artworks-000296509803-pmytqn-t500x500.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2024, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nfl-pre-draft-thread-the-chicago-bears-are-on-the-clock-for-now/997548/99 "2024-03-11T18:38:21Z")
And Cousins to the Falcons on a 4 year deal. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2024, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nfl-pre-draft-thread-the-chicago-bears-are-on-the-clock-for-now/997548/100 "2024-03-11T18:53:26Z")
Some other news trickling out: - Baker Mayfield has agreed to a 3-year contract to stay with the Buccs - Defensive tackle Chris Jones agreed to a 5-year contract to stay with the Chiefs - D’Andre Swift is moving to the Bears on a 3-year deal - Wide receiver Tee Higgins has requested a trade from the Bengals I’m a little surprised by the Bears. I thought they had some solid RBs already. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nfl-pre-draft-thread-the-chicago-bears-are-on-the-clock-for-now/997548.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nfl-pre-draft-thread-the-chicago-bears-are-on-the-clock-for-now/997548.md?page=6)