# 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:** 9
**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 15, 2024, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nfl-pre-draft-thread-the-chicago-bears-are-on-the-clock-for-now/997548/161 "2024-03-15T16:34:20Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > Looks like they just picked up Bobby Wagner on a 1-year deal. Even as bad as their LBs were last season this doesn’t really move the needle for them all that much. From what I hear he’s still great in run support, but is a liability in coverage. He’s 33 years old, I believe it. I suspect it’s more of a coach-on-the-field type of role he’s being signed for. It’s highly unlikely they expect him to be on the field for 60 plays a game. Dan Quinn was the DC for Bobby for years, as was Ken Norton Jr afterward, so I’m sure that has something to do with it. (Norton was also the LB coach in Seattle at one time, coaching Bobby.) So they’re getting a veteran they know very well to be a mentor on the field. Bobby served a similar role in Seattle. Wagner did pretty well last year despite his age, and I know he has an expiration date but as a Seattle fan I’m still sad to see him go (again). Oh, and by pretty well, he **led the entire league last year** in total tackles with 183 (96 solo), had 3.5 sacks, 3 passes defended, and a fumble recovery. Plus he was named a second team All-Pro and went to the Pro Bowl for the ninth time. So yeah, he is still a high level LB. ---
**Author:** ![That\_Don\_Guy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/that_don_guy/32/538_2.png) [@That\_Don\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/That_Don_Guy)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2024, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nfl-pre-draft-thread-the-chicago-bears-are-on-the-clock-for-now/997548/162 "2024-03-15T16:58:08Z")
> [@AlsoNamedBort](#): > > Vikings trades picks 42, 188, and a 2nd rounder next year for Texan’s 23 and 232. Presumably planning to move up further, because I can’t imagine there’s a reason to move to the bottom of the first round before any picks have been made. Sounds like the plan; now they have the 11 and the 23 to trade. Rumor is that the Vikings want a QB. The problem is, so do the teams with the first three picks - who’s going to be left even if they do trade up to, say, #4? ---
**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 15, 2024, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nfl-pre-draft-thread-the-chicago-bears-are-on-the-clock-for-now/997548/163 "2024-03-15T17:18:34Z")
> [@That\_Don\_Guy](#): > > The problem is, so do the teams with the first three picks - who’s going to be left even if they do trade up to, say, #4? Penix will probably still be available then, that’s my guess. I’m not even sure that he’s guaranteed to go in the first round. This draft has a good number of QBs that have potential. ---
**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 15, 2024, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nfl-pre-draft-thread-the-chicago-bears-are-on-the-clock-for-now/997548/164 "2024-03-15T17:24:58Z")
Aaron Donald retiring. 32 years old. Must be nice. 😃 He’s done enough. He’ll make the HoF. He’s earned well over $150 million. Unless he’s been majorly irresponsible, he should be financially set for life, as should his future great-grandkids. And hopefully he’s getting out of the game early enough to save his brain (though at this point, the damage is probably already done). I don’t blame him one bit. I’m all for retiring early if you can. > **[Rams' Donald, 3-time DPOY, retiring at age 32](https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/39738379/rams-aaron-donald-3-dpoy-retiring-nfl-age-32)** > > Aaron Donald, a three-time Defensive Player of the Year who has been selected to 10 Pro Bowls and was named a first team All-Pro eight times, announced his retirement from the NFL. ---
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2024, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nfl-pre-draft-thread-the-chicago-bears-are-on-the-clock-for-now/997548/165 "2024-03-15T18:41:40Z")
> [@Omniscient](#): > > Lots of QB movement and the one QB everyone was expecting to move still sits. Um, NO. He went from Denver to Pittsburgh. Did you miss that? jk (notes that thread has moved from Bears centric to General Draft). ---
**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 15, 2024, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nfl-pre-draft-thread-the-chicago-bears-are-on-the-clock-for-now/997548/166 "2024-03-15T18:51:36Z")
> [@AlsoNamedBort](#): > > Vikings trades picks 42, 188, and a 2nd rounder next year for Texan’s 23 and 232. Presumably planning to move up further, because I can’t imagine there’s a reason to move to the bottom of the first round before any picks have been made. I can’t recall ever seeing a trade like this before. The only similar one is when the 49ers traded up to pick 3 well before the draft, but that’s a much different scenario because they could predict who’d be available pretty clearly. I think the assumption that the Vikings are loading up to try and trade up on draft day (or maybe again before the draft) is the correct one. The real question is are they looking to jump into the top 10 for McCarthy or maybe up to the top 3 for one of the first-tier guys? > [@DCnDC](#): > > They’ve been asking too much. This is the prevailing assumption. But there’s a counter-narrative bubbling up that maybe they are actually a little iffy on Caleb. Running it back with Fields seemed like an insane idea, but if they feel really strongly that none of these top 3 QBs are an upgrade, you might as well sell the pick for a king’s ransom. Bears fans will self-immolate, but who cares about us. Assuming it really is a price thing, I actually am happy that they aren’t running a fire sale. That strikes me as good business. You don’t give away an asset for peanuts just because the timing is bad. I’d rather deal with the headlines and locker room drama of having 2 QBs in the building than to accept a Sam Howell-type deal. I’m no Fields lover, but the hate has gone way to far at this stage. An early season injury (or something wild at the draft) could put them back in the position to get a 2nd rounder and more. ---
**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 15, 2024, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nfl-pre-draft-thread-the-chicago-bears-are-on-the-clock-for-now/997548/167 "2024-03-15T19:00:49Z")
> **[Steelers To Trade Kenny Pickett To Eagles](https://www.profootballrumors.com/2024/03/steelers-eagles-finalizing-kenny-pickett-trade)** > > So much for Russell Wilson needing to compete for the Steelers' starting job. Hours after the Steelers announced the Wilson … Unexpected…no word on compensation. Pickett seems to have pushed his way out once he learned that Tomlin promised the starting gig to Wilson. Edit: According to ESPN’s [Adam Schefter,](https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/1768712389837349363) Pittsburgh gets pick No. 98 and two 2025 7th-round picks. The Eagles reportedly get and pick No. 120. 😬 ---
**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 15, 2024, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nfl-pre-draft-thread-the-chicago-bears-are-on-the-clock-for-now/997548/168 "2024-03-15T19:23:29Z")
Interesting tidbit. Seems like this retirement isn’t exactly out of left field. > **[Aaron Donald's 2022 contract was crafted to make 2024 retirement easier](https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/aaron-donalds-2022-contract-was-crafted-to-make-2024-retirement-easier)** > > Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald has retired. From the same article. > A strange wrinkle that emerged on Friday morning, not long before he retired. The Rams reportedly restructured the deal, creating $9.2 million in 2024 cap space. Why do that if he’s retiring? > > It’s possible that, with $30 million otherwise exiting the 2024 cap, the Rams wanted to kick some of it to next year, which could happen if/when the Rams officially process the retirement after June 1. > > Whatever the reason, Donald has retired. But remember this. He submitted a retirement letter to the Rams in May 2022, roughly a month before they tore up his existing deal and replaced it with a three-year, $95 million contract. > > We’re not saying his latest retirement is real. But he has retired before. We just didn’t know about it at the time. His public statement certainly looks like the real deal, but there’s a little potential weirdness here. ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2024, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nfl-pre-draft-thread-the-chicago-bears-are-on-the-clock-for-now/997548/169 "2024-03-15T19:42:57Z")
> [@Omniscient](#): > > An early season injury (or something wild at the draft) could put them back in the position to get a 2nd rounder and more. As a fellow done-with-Fields Bears fan, I’m just hoping Poles trades him before this year’s draft, since now we’re down to four stinkin’ picks. ---
**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 15, 2024, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nfl-pre-draft-thread-the-chicago-bears-are-on-the-clock-for-now/997548/170 "2024-03-15T19:44:31Z")
And the Bears bring back Dainty Penis. > **[Roster Move: Bears sign WR/KR Dante Pettis](https://www.chicagobears.com/news/roster-move-bears-sign-wr-kr-dante-pettis)** > > The Bears on Friday signed receiver/return specialist Dante Pettis to a one-year contract. Pettis spent the 2022 season with the Bears, appearing in all 17 games. Dude was occasionally useful, as a depth piece this is nice, and with Velus Jones being a dumpster fire, we need someone else to handle kicks. ---
**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 15, 2024, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nfl-pre-draft-thread-the-chicago-bears-are-on-the-clock-for-now/997548/171 "2024-03-15T20:06:01Z")
> [@Akaj](#): > > As a fellow done-with-Fields Bears fan, I’m just hoping Poles trades him before this year’s draft, since now we’re down to four stinkin’ picks. There’s only one option that I can see where he’d be a likely starter, and that’s New England. They’re obviously in line to draft a rookie, but if they decide to trade back with, say, the Vikings then maybe that’s a landing spot. Or if they want to have an option for the guy to sit. I suppose the Raiders might be a fit if they view O’Connell and Minshew as backups, but that’s where Getsy landed. The Broncos have a hole, but they are in a complete tear down. If Wilson drove Payton nuts, I can’t imagine what Fields would do in that system. So that means the other teams would be looking for a high-end backup. You know what the Bears don’t have, assuming they draft Caleb? A high-end backup. ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2024, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nfl-pre-draft-thread-the-chicago-bears-are-on-the-clock-for-now/997548/172 "2024-03-15T20:18:11Z")
> [@Omniscient](#): > > So that means the other teams would be looking for a high-end backup. You know what the Bears don’t have, assuming they draft Caleb? A high-end backup. I agree that the market for Fields-as-starter has basically evaporated. (The Vikings might be interested, but I’d hate to trade him in the division.) But a team like Baltimore might see him as a strong backup and maybe be willing to send a 4th rounder. I’d settle for that. I don’t think it’s realistic for Fields to be Williams’ backup. Too many guys in the locker room still love Fields, which is not the atmosphere you want a rookie walking into. ---
**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 15, 2024, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nfl-pre-draft-thread-the-chicago-bears-are-on-the-clock-for-now/997548/173 "2024-03-15T21:28:53Z")
> [@Omniscient](#): > > And the Bears bring back Dainty Penis. That nickname is cracking me up. I drafted Pettis in our dynasty league as a rookie so I kept track of his stats, and then after a few seasons he ended up on the Giants so I also watched him play. Neither experience particularly impressed me. ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2024, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nfl-pre-draft-thread-the-chicago-bears-are-on-the-clock-for-now/997548/174 "2024-03-15T21:59:14Z")
> [@EllisDee](#): > > That nickname is cracking me up. It started with an autocorrect in a Tweet, and he’s been living it down ever since. ---
**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 15, 2024, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nfl-pre-draft-thread-the-chicago-bears-are-on-the-clock-for-now/997548/175 "2024-03-15T22:39:17Z")
> [@EllisDee](#): > > I drafted Pettis in our dynasty league as a rookie so I kept track of his stats, and then after a few seasons he ended up on the Giants so I also watched him play. Neither experience particularly impressed me. I watched him in college, and he was great. It was a bummer that it didn’t translate to the NFL but that probably happens more times than not. When the fish gets to a bigger pond, it’s not such a big fish anymore. Worst was John Ross. He was awesome in college, so fast, and he broke the combine speed record at 4.22, though it has since been broken (barely, with a 4.21). He was picked 9th overall in the draft but frequent injuries made it so he couldn’t stay on the field and he retired with little to show for it in the NFL. Something to remember as the draft approaches and you see all of these promising college stars. You never know what to expect when the go pro. ---
**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 16, 2024, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nfl-pre-draft-thread-the-chicago-bears-are-on-the-clock-for-now/997548/176 "2024-03-16T06:25:18Z")
He’s a weird one. In 2022 he never seemed able to earn any serious playing time, and that on a roster largely devoid of WR talent. But then he’d end up getting some snaps because of an injury and he’d make 3 awesome plays. He always seemed to be making a huge 3rd down grab or making a guy miss. Then he’d disappear again for 5 games. Dude lead all WRs on the team with 3 TDs on a whopping 19 catches. I can’t really recall any terrible drops or other boneheaded plays. But the coaches only ever wanted him out there as a last resort. They must be seeing something in practice they don’t like because he’s been around the league a while and never seems to get consistent snaps anywhere he plays. ---
**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 16, 2024, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nfl-pre-draft-thread-the-chicago-bears-are-on-the-clock-for-now/997548/177 "2024-03-16T16:28:41Z")
On the heels of signing Josh Jacobs, and releasing Aaron Jones, the Packers are re-signing running back AJ Dillon to what is being termed as a “team-friendly” contract. > [@](#): > > Under the four-year qualifying offer, teams can designate a player (or a combination of two players) to be signed and receive the benefit and reduce his (or their) base salary for cap purposes by up to $1.45 million. The rule also limits the player’s signing bonus to $167,500 and the player’s base salary cannot be more than $1.45 million (for 2024) over the applicable minimum salary for the player’s service time. In Dillon’s case, the fifth-year veteran minimum in 2024 is $1.125 million. > > If the Packers cut Dillon before the season, they’ll take a $167,000 hit on their salary cap. Dillon’s cap number will be around $1.2 million. Dillon was a very good change-of-pace backup for Jones in '21, but his YPC average had slipped every year. He was forced into a starting role for part of the '23 season when Jones was injured, and only averaged 3.4 yards per carry. Under the new contract, he has a chance to be Jacobs’ backup, depending on how he does in the preseason, and whether the Packers decide to draft another running back next month. He’s beloved in Wisconsin – he’s a great guy, and he’s made a home in Door County (just northeast of Green Bay) – but it was questionable as to whether the team would bring him back. > **[Packers reportedly will re-sign AJ Dillon with a four-year qualifying offer,...](https://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/story/sports/nfl/packers/2024/03/14/green-bay-packers-to-re-sign-running-back-aj-dillon-on-team-friendly-contract-report/72957698007/)** > > His new contract essentially is a prove-it deal for running back AJ Dillon, the Packers second-round draft pick in 2020. ---
**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 16, 2024, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nfl-pre-draft-thread-the-chicago-bears-are-on-the-clock-for-now/997548/178 "2024-03-16T17:04:15Z")
I like Dillon as a player and his quads are impressive. But he is so damn plodding that it’s like watching molasses. Give me Isaac Guerendo or Daijun Edwards on Day 3 to replace him. ---
**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 16, 2024, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nfl-pre-draft-thread-the-chicago-bears-are-on-the-clock-for-now/997548/179 "2024-03-16T18:22:37Z")
> **[Jets, Texans had interest in new Bears WR Allen](https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/39744955/jets-texans-had-interest-keenan-allen-trade-bears)** > > Before he was traded from the Chargers to the Bears, wide receiver Keenan Allen revealed that Los Angeles had permitted him to explore several options for where he wanted to continue his career. No talk of an extension for Allen at this point, and with his age it won’t be more than a year or two, but we don’t need to spread out the cap hit. Maybe we roll the dice and see how this season plays out. Whatever happens with the contract, in 2024 the tandem of Moore and Allen will be a QBs dream. It’s probably a long shot, but if Odunze or Nabers lasts to 9 we should still draft them and roll out an insane trio. ---
**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 16, 2024, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nfl-pre-draft-thread-the-chicago-bears-are-on-the-clock-for-now/997548/180 "2024-03-16T18:55:33Z")
And Kmet doesn’t suck. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nfl-pre-draft-thread-the-chicago-bears-are-on-the-clock-for-now/997548.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nfl-pre-draft-thread-the-chicago-bears-are-on-the-clock-for-now/997548.md?page=10)