Tag: Jakeem Grant

Bears’ Jakeem Grant could get paid more than you think in free agency

Tom Pelissero believes Bears return specialist Jakeem Grant could net as much as $5 million per year in free agency.

Bears general manager Ryan Poles has a lot of work to do with this roster ahead of free agency. There are some important decisions to be made about possibly retaining some in-house free agents and big targets set to hit the free agent market.

While in-house names like Allen Robinson, Akiem Hicks, James Daniels and Bilal Nichols are garnering plenty of attention, Jakeem Grant is flying under the radar. The Bears traded for Grant last October to serve as their return specialist, and he turned it into a Pro Bowl and All-Pro season.

According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Grant could be a surprise player who nets more than many believe when free agency kicks off. Pelissero notes Grant could net as much as $5 million per year after accounting for $1.5 million in 2021 with Chicago.

The Bears got a bargain last October, acquiring Grant from the Dolphins for a 2023 sixth-round draft pick. He scored a 97-yard touchdown on a punt return against the Packers on the way to his second consecutive second-team All-Pro nod as a return man. A new deal could yield over $5 million a year, which would make Grant the NFL’s highest-paid pure return specialist. 

While Grant is primarily a return specialist, he also showed an ability to serve as depth at wide receiver. His speed makes him a dangerous weapon that could certainly have new offensive coordinator Luke Getsy intrigued. But if Grant is going to cost $5 million, it doesn’t make a lot of sense for him to be retained primarily as a special teams player.

It’s a similar situation the Bears encountered last offseason with kick return specialist Cordarrelle Patterson, who was a two-time Pro Bowler and All-Pro during his time in Chicago. Ultimately, the Bears couldn’t afford to pay a primarily special teams player and let him walk. It wound up working out for Patterson, who signed with the Falcons and became a dynamic playmaker on offense as a running back.

We’ll see if Grant ultimately returns to Chicago. But the Bears have bigger issues than re-signing a punt returner, especially if someone like Dazz Newsome figures to factor into the equation.

Follow The Bears Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

[listicle id=502097]

10 moves the Bears should make in free agency

Free agency is just around the corner, and the Bears have some big needs to address. Here are some potential moves they should consider:

The Chicago Bears have some pressing needs to address heading into free agency, and they have plenty of salary cap space to make some moves. There are starting jobs and depth holes to fill.

For new general manager Ryan Poles, he has some important decisions to make about whether to re-sign some pending free agents, including Allen Robinson, James Daniels and Akiem Hicks. But there’s also a slew of talent set to hit the open market at several areas of need.

With free agency just around the corner, we’re taking a look at 10 moves the Bears should consider making to improve their roster:

6 Bears who could be next in line for a contract extension

From Roquan Smith to James Daniels, here are a handful of Bears players who have made a strong case for a contract extension.

The offseason fun is about to begin with free agency just a couple of weeks away. For new Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles, he’s about to start assembling a roster that could look a lot different than from a year ago.

Not only will Poles be looking to secure talent on the free-agent market, he has some decisions to make about potential contract extensions, including most notably linebacker Roquan Smith.

There are a handful of Bears players who could be in line for a contract extension — some currently under contract and others who are set to become a free agent.

Here’s a look at six Bears players who have made a strong case for a contract extension looking ahead to the 2022 season:

Bears 2022 offseason preview: Where does Chicago stand at ST?

We’re breaking down each position entering the 2022 offseason. We’re wrapping things up with special teams, which could see some changes.

The Chicago Bears have a clean slate after hiring new general manager Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus, who will be looking to get this franchise back on track in 2022.

With the offseason in full swing, Poles has plenty of work to do with the current roster, which features some glaring holes at positions of need. Poles will have to decide who to re-sign, who to let walk and who to target outside of the current roster heading into free agency and the NFL draft.

Here at Bears Wire, we’re going position by position to break down where Chicago stands entering the 2022 offseason. We’re wrapping things up with special teams, which could look different this year.

8 pending free agents the Bears should consider re-signing in 2022

Ahead of free agency, we’re looking at some in-house free agents the Bears should consider re-signing in 2022.

The offseason is in full swing, and we’re just over a month away from the start of the new league year and free agency. And the Bears have some important decisions to make when it comes to in-house free agents.

The Bears are slated to have nearly $30 million in salary cap space, but there are plenty of holes to fill on the roster for new general manager Ryan Poles. Perhaps some of those roster spots will be filled by some of Chicago’s in-house free agents, including some big contributors from last season.

Ahead of free agency, we’re looking at some in-house free agents the Bears should consider re-signing in 2022.

Las mejores cinco jugadas del Pro Bowl NFL 2022

Los mejores jugadores de la NFL y Kirk Cousins llegaron a las Las Vegas el domingo para el juego anual de estrellas de la liga. El Pro Bowl es un escaparate para algunas de las estrellas más importantes; Mac Jones, Jakeem Grant, and Kyle Juszczyk …

Los mejores jugadores de la NFL y Kirk Cousins llegaron a las Las Vegas el domingo para el juego anual de estrellas de la liga. El Pro Bowl es un escaparate para algunas de las estrellas más importantes; Mac Jones, Jakeem Grant, and Kyle Juszczyk tienen la oportunidad de brillar como un delicioso entremés antes del Super Bowl 56.

La edición 2022 cumplió con los estándares de sus predecesores. La camada de jugadores sobresalientes de esta temporada se enfrentaron y lucharon por 60 emocionante minutos que dejaron sin aliento a la público de las Vegas. Después de revisar por innumerables candidatos, limité las mejores actuaciones del Pro Bowl  ’22 a cinco jugadas.

Estas son sin ningún orden en particular.

Bears 2021 WR review: Plenty of question marks outside of Darnell Mooney

We’re taking a look at how the Bears wide receivers fared in 2021.

The Chicago Bears wrapped another disappointing season that resulted in the firings of general manager Ryan Pace and head coach Matt Nagy. With the offseason in full swing, it provides an opportunity for the new regime in GM Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus to look back at went right, what went wrong and how to improve in 2022.

Here at Bears Wire, we’re going position by position through the 2021 Bears and grading every player. Next up is wide receiver, which will likely look drastically different next season.

PREVIOUS POSITION REVIEWS: QBS, RBs

LOOK: Robert Quinn, Jakeem Grant representing Bears at Pro Bowl

Here’s a look at Bears EDGE Robert Quinn and RS Jakeem Grant at Pro Bowl practice.

While there wasn’t much to celebrate during the Bears’ 2021 season, there were some impressive individual performances that certainly have the future looking bright.

Edge rusher Robert Quinn and wide receiver/return specialist Jakeem Grant were both named to the Pro Bowl for their impressive seasons, where they proved to be among the best at their positions.

Quinn recorded a single-season franchise record 18.5 sacks, where he registered at least half a sack in 14 of 16 games he played. He recorded 13 sacks in the final nine games. He also totaled 49 tackles and 17 tackles-for-loss, a team-high. It was a sensational bounce-back season after a rough first year in 2020, where Quinn totaled just two sacks.

Grant was a late addition to the roster in an Oct. 5 trade with the Dolphins, but he made an immediate impact as a return specialist. In 11 games with the Bears, Grant averaged 11.9 yards per return, third in the NFL, with one touchdown on 26 returns. He also averaged 23.4 yards per kickoff return on 23 returns, which ranked 11th.

With Pro Bowl week in full swing, the Bears Twitter account shared a look at Quinn and Grant both in Las Vegas for Pro Bowl practice on Thursday:

The 2022 Pro Bowl will be played Sunday, Feb. 6 in Las Vegas at Allegiant Stadium.

[listicle id=498027]

Bears special teams coach Chris Tabor leaving for Panthers

Bears HC Matt Eberflus has to add a special teams coordinator to his list of a coaching staff as Chris Tabor is leaving for the Panthers.

New Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus will have to add a special teams coordinator to his wish list of a coaching staff.

According to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, special teams coordinator Chris Tabor is joining the Carolina Panthers, in the same role, on a three-year deal.

Tabor spent the last four seasons as the Bears’ special teams coordinator, joining former head coach Matt Nagy’s staff in 2018. After a rocky first season that ended with Cody Parkey’s double doink in the playoffs, Tabor’s unit solidified over the last few seasons.

The kicking game improved dramatically primarily thanks to Cairo Santos. The veteran kicker joined the Bears prior to the 2020 season and converted 90.3% of his field goal attempts over the course of the last two years.

The Bears also boasted Pro Bowl return specialists such as Cordarrelle Patterson in 2019 and 2020, and Jakeem Grant Sr. in 2021. Overall, Tabor’s unit finished ranked just outside the top 10 in total special teams rankings in 2020 and 2021, according to Lineups.com.

Tabor now wraps up his second stint with the Bears as he joins Matt Rhule’s staff in Carolina. He started his NFL coaching career in Chicago as the assistant special teams coach under Dave Toub from 2008-2010. He then became the special teams coordinator for the Cleveland Browns from 2011-2017 before returning to the Bears.

Tabor coached one game this season in an interim role after Nagy was forced to miss week eight against the San Francisco 49ers due to COVID-19. The Bears lost 33-22, with Nagy returning the next week.

Biggs also reported that Eberflus has Tabor’s replacement in mind — Las Vegas Raiders special teams coordinator (and interim head coach) Rich Bisaccia.

[listicle id=495671]

Robert Quinn, Jakeem Grant named to PFWA’s All-NFC Team

The honors continue to roll in for Bears OLB Robert Quinn and PR Jakeem Grant, who were named to PFWA’s All-NFC Team.

The Chicago Bears fell way short of expectations during a 6-11 season, but there were still some standout performances by some players on the roster.

Outside linebacker Robert Quinn and return specialist Jakeem Grant were named to the 2021 All-NFC team, which is voted on by members of the Pro Football Writers of America.

Quinn recorded a single-season franchise record 18.5 sacks, where he registered at least half a sack in 14 of 16 games he played. He recorded 13 sacks in the final nine games. He also totaled 49 tackles and 17 tackles-for-loss, a team-high. It was a sensational bounce-back season after a rough first year in 2020, where Quinn totaled just two sacks.

Grant was a late addition to the roster in an Oct. 5 trade with the Dolphins, but he made an immediate impact as a return specialist. In 11 games with the Bears, Grant averaged 11.9 yards per return, third in the NFL, with one touchdown on 26 returns. He also averaged 23.4 yards per kickoff return on 23 returns, which ranked 11th.

Quinn and Grant were also named second-team All-Pro by the Associated Press and voted to the Pro Bowl.

Follow The Bears Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

[listicle id=495388]