Tag: 2021 offseason

Report: The Bears are losing RB coach Charles London to the Falcons

The Chicago Bears are looking at replacing more than one member of Matt Nagy’s coaching staff this offseason.

The Chicago Bears are looking at replacing more than one member of Matt Nagy’s coaching staff this offseason. While the Bears are currently searching for Chuck Pagano’s replacement at defensive coordinator, Chicago is due to lose a couple of offensive coaches.

According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Atlanta Falcons are expected to hire Bears running backs coach Charles London. London would join new head coach Arthur Smith’s coaching staff as quarterbacks coach.

London isn’t the only coach the Falcons are taking from the Bears. Passing coordinator Dave Ragone is expected to join Atlanta as their new offensive coordinator, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

There have also been rumblings of defensive line coach Jay Rodgers leaving Chicago for the Los Angeles Chargers, where he would reunite with former Bears outside linebackers coach and new Chargers head coach Brandon Staley.

That would leave the Bears with four openings on staff, including defensive coordinator. Chicago has interviewed several candidates already, including Indianapolis Colts defensive backs coach Jonathan Gannon, former New York Giants and Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator James Bettcher and Bears legend Mike Singletary.

[listicle id=466719]

See how much salary cap space the Bears rolled over to 2021

One of the biggest challenges of the offseason will be a decreased salary cap. The Bears are rolling over roughly $7 million to 2021.

[jwplayer Lv6Sj38b]

One of the biggest challenges of this 2021 offseason will be navigating what’s sure to be a precarious salary cap situation  for all teams, especially the Chicago Bears.

Following a COVID-19 season, the salary cap is expected to decrease by as much as $22 million to around $175 million. According to reports, it might actually be $180 million, which isn’t idea but is certainly better than previously believed. That still puts general manager Ryan Pace in a tough place with a slew of roster spots to full and not a whole lot of cap space to do it.

Something that should help a little is the Bears will also roll over $7,042,995 to the 2021 season, which brings their cap space total to roughly $10.5 million, according to Spotrac.

It’s always a challenge when it comes to the salary cap, but it’s going to be made even more difficult with the cap decreasing. Which means Pace is going to have to get creative with making some changes in regards to cutting players and restructuring contracts, especially given the Bears have plenty of vacant positions to fill this offseason. The Bears currently have 30 players set to hit the free-agent market.

[listicle id=466047]

7 players who could be released by Washington this offseason

These players may have gotten playing time for Washington in 2020, but it wouldn’t surprise us to see them get cut this offseason.

A lot of the news and ideas that we’ve covered so far this offseason have had to do with players that we would like to see Washington bring in via free agency or the NFL Draft but rarely do we touch on players who might be shown the door.

Every year, there are always some departures that might catch us by surprise, based on caliber or timing. For instance, last year it was both, with veteran RB Adrian Peterson being shown the door during training camp right before the season. A few months before, it was Josh Norman who was cut, and the offseason before that, Semaje Perine.

So who might get the ax this offseason? Will it be someone who takes us by surprise, or rather a long time coming? Here are 7 people who we think might be on their way out.

Bears interviewed James Bettcher for defensive coordinator

Chicago continued its search for a new defensive coordinator, taking a look at former Giants and Cardinals DC James Bettcher.

The Chicago Bears have an offseason faced with several important decisions, which includes with finding a replacement for defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano, who retired at season’s end.

The Bears interviewed former New York Giants and Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator James Bettcher for their vacant defensive coordinator position, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

There have been reports that Chicago has requested interviews with the likes of Dallas Cowboys defensive assistant George Edwards and Indianapolis Colts defensive backs coach Jonathan Gannon for the position.

Chicago has also looked internally for Pagano’s replacement, where defensive line coach Jay Rodgers and safeties coach Sean Desai are among the favorites.

[listicle id=466479]

Report: Michael Thomas played through torn ankle ligament, offseason surgery likely

New Orleans Saints WR Michael Thomas played through a torn ankle ligament, which will likely require offseason surgery in 2021.

[jwplayer 0Fql934w-ThvAeFxT]

It was clear to everyone watching that Michael Thomas wasn’t able to play at full strength, but ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the New Orleans Saints wide receiver was fighting through even more adversity than was seen on the surface. Per Schefter’s report, Thomas tore the deltoid ligament in his ankle and injured several others back in Week 1 and often wasn’t able to practice.

He still suited up for nine games this year, including the playoffs, catching 45 of 66 targets for just 511 receiving yards and one touchdown catch, all career lows. Schefter adds that when Thomas did join his teammates for games, he often required medication to help fight through the pain.

Injuries have devastated the Saints’ best players the last two years and kept them from playing all at the same time. When Thomas was healthy, Drew Brees was sidelined by an injured throwing hand (in 2019) and fractured ribs (in 2020). Alvin Kamara was sidelined by knee injuries in 2019, too, forcing Thomas to put the offense on his back — earning NFL Offensive Player of the Year recognition for his efforts.

All told, the Saints have had just one game with their three superstars together without any of them exiting or returning from serious injuries: 2019’s Week 1 win over the Houston Texans, in which Brees put up 370 passing yards (195 of which went to Thomas and Kamara). Brees hasn’t thrown for more than 373 yards in a game since then, largely due to his own injuries and the issues his two best weapons have dealt with.

And now Brees is expected to retire, though he’s hesitant to make a public decision just yet. If Thomas does go under the knife and spend his offseason healing up, there’s a good chance he’ll return to New Orleans for training camp to work with a new quarterback. Whoever that new passer is — whether it’s Taysom Hill, Jameis Winston, or another new face — they should expect to enjoy the benefits of throwing to Thomas, healthy again and ready to work.

[vertical-gallery id=42682]

2021 Browns offseason: Cap hits for all contracted players

The 45 Browns under contract from highest to lowest cap hit for 2021

The Cleveland Browns currently have 45 players under contract for the 2021 season. While the salary cap is yet to be determined, it is expected to be above the floor set prior to last season of $175 million. Most estimates peg the cap to be at least $199 million, though that is unofficial.

The 45 players on the Browns roster carry a total 2021 cap commitment of $179.8 million with salaries and guaranteed bonuses. Here is how they break down, from the highest cap obligation to the lowest.

All cap figures are taken from Spotrac.com and may be rounded up

Report: Bears have requested to speak with George Edwards about defensive coordinator job

The Bears are exploring all avenues to find a new defensive coordinator, which includes speaking with Cowboys assistant George Edwards.

The Chicago Bears have a vacancy at defensive coordinator, and they’re taking their time to examine all of the in-house and other candidates to replace Chuck Pagano, who retired this offseason.

Following a report that the Bears put in a request to interview Indianapolis Colts defensive backs coach Jonathan Gannon, Chicago is also requesting to speak with Dallas Cowboys defensive assistant George Edwards about their defensive coordinator opening, according to ESPN’s Todd Archer.

If the Bears are looking for experience at the defensive coordinator position, Edwards might be their guy. Before serving as Dallas’ senior defensive assistant, Edwards was the Minnesota Vikings’ defensive coordinator from 2014-19. Before that, he also served as defensive coordinator for the Buffalo Bills (2010-11) and the Washington Football Team (2003).

Interestingly enough, Edwards interviewed for the Bears’ coaching vacancy back in 2018 before Matt Nagy was hired. So he’s someone that’s been on their radar.

There have been reports that the Bears are also considering some internal candidates for the defensive coordinator position, namely defensive line coach Jay Rodgers and safeties coach Sean Desai.

[listicle id=466479]

Former Bears LB Sam Acho makes his case for Sean Desai as defensive coordinator

The Bears have one glaring vacancy on their coaching staff and former LB Sam Acho knows just the person to fill it.

The Chicago Bears have one glaring vacancy on their coaching staff and a former player knows just the person to fill it.

Former Bears outside linebacker Sam Acho took to Twitter Monday and voiced his support for safeties coach Sean Desai, urging the team to hire him as the next defensive coordinator following the retirement of Chuck Pagano.

Acho, who played for the Bears from 2015-2018, says Desai “has been ready for that role for years” in a tweet. “[Desai] was Vic Fangio’s right hand man for 4 years and helped craft that defense to greatness. Smart, talented, knows ball and has all the credentials. All he needs is an opportunity.”

The former Bear continued to praise Desai, calling him “a splitting image of Brandon Staley,” who was Acho’s position coach with the Bears from 2017-2018. Staley went on to coach the Denver Broncos outside linebackers in 2019, then became the Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator this past season and was just named the Los Angeles Chargers head coach on Sunday evening.

Acho then explained Desai would be the one to get the defense back to their 2018 form.

Desai has been a part of the Bears coaching staff since 2013, when he was hired as the team’s quality control assistant. He worked with the secondary while also contributing to special teams. He held that title until the 2019 season, when he was promoted to safeties coach. Prior to his time with the Bears, Desai was in the college ranks, serving various roles with Temple, the University of Miami, and Boston College.

Acho’s recommendation for Desai comes just days after an NFL Network report indicated Desai and Bears defensive line coach Jay Rodgers were the top internal candidates for the coordinator position. Rodgers, who has also been with the Bears for a number of years, could be a candidate to join Staley in Los Angeles as their defensive coordinator.

With coaching vacancies opening and closing quickly, the Bears need to move fast to find their new coordinator. They’re looking outside the organization too as Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic reports the team has requested to interview Indianapolis Colts defensive backs coach Jonathan Gannon for the open position. If it were up to Acho, however, they should stick with their own secondary coach and give Desai the job.

[listicle id=466479]

Report: Bears request to interview Colts DB coach Jonathan Gannon for defensive coordinator

Colts DB coach Jonathan Gannon is among the candidates the Bears are looking at to fill the role of defensive coordinator.

The Chicago Bears have plenty of questions during this 2021 offseason, and one of those is who will succeed Chuck Pagano as the team’s defensive coordinator.

While there’s a belief that Chicago will look internally at potential replacements, they’re also looking around the league.

The Bears have put in a request to interview Indianapolis Colts defensive backs coach Jonathan Gannon for the defensive coordinator position, according to The Athletic’s Kevin Fishbain.

Gannon has been with the Colts since 2018, where he was brought in with head coach Frank Reich. Before that, Gannon served as an assistant defensive backs/quality control coach for the Minnesota Vikings from 2014-17.

Some of the internal names being discussed for Chicago’s defensive coordinator include safeties coach Sean Desai and defensive line coach Jay Rodgers, who is expected to garner interest as defensive coordinator around the NFL.

[listicle id=466479]

No ‘random-[expletive] bird:’ Jason Wright rules out one category of potential mascots for Washington

With a veiled shot at the Philadelphia Eagles, Jason Wright ruled out a ‘random-[expletive] bird’ as Washington’s next potential mascot.

The front office in Washington is well into its search for a new general manager for the franchise, but as the 2021 offseason gets underway, team president Jason Wright is still neck-deep in the search for a new mascot and team name in D.C.

The first year going by the ‘Washington Football Team’ was a success, with Ron Rivera and his group of guys making it to the playoffs for the first time since 2015, but that doesn’t mean that things are going to stay the same. They might, of course — leadership has been open and honest about the fact that they may choose to keep WFT around, or maybe chance to the Washington Football Club — but Wright is still doing his due diligence and weighing every option when it comes to finding a new name.

When talking about the subject in an interview with 106.7 The Fan earlier this week, Wright did take a small step towards finding a name, simply by ruling a category of options out and wonderfully taking a small shot at a fellow NFC East team in the process.

“The other thing that we heard clearly is that something random would land poorly. We need something that’s connected to the history of the club or to the area or to something else that is meaningful to the fanbase already, meaningful to the area, etc,” Wright said, via NBC Sports Washington. “So picking some random-[expletive] bird mascot doesn’t feel like the right approach, at least from what we’ve seen so far.”

Oh, you mean like an Eagle…?

All shade aside, Wright also reiterated something that has already been made clear, but that will yet again lay a lot of fears to rest in the Washington fanbase; the colors are not changing.

“A few things are starting to become clear,” Wright said. “No. 1: Burgundy and gold should never change, period. That is a core aspect of the identity of this team and we know it is important from all this research as well to make sure we don’t feel like an expansion club and we’re tied to the history. We have to keep the burgundy and gold as a centerpiece to all of this.”

There still isn’t a timeline that has been put into place for announcing a new name or mascot, but Wright has said before that such things may not come until before the 2020 season.

[vertical-gallery id=46172]