The NFL announced Thursday that the salary cap for the upcoming season will be $279.2 million, up $23.8 million from last season.
Regardless of where the final number fell, the Bears were set to have the fourth-most salary-cap space when the new league year begins March 12. After recent cuts of tight end Gerald Everett and defensive end DeMarcus Walker, they’re on track to have $79.5 million in space when they start negotiating with free agents March 10.
That trails only the Patriots at $127.8 million, the Raiders at $96.5 million and the Commanders at $81.9 million. NFC North rivals the Vikings ($63 million) and Lions ($51.5 million) also are in the top 10, and the Packers have $48.8 million to spend.
While Bears general manager Ryan Poles typically has been conservative in free agency, that could change this offseason with the ample cap space, a significant list of roster needs and urgency to deliver results after the team went 15-36 over his first three seasons in charge.
“The clearer the vision, the more aggressive you can be,” he said. “That’s important. You want to be selective in free agency ... but if there are certain players that [check all the] boxes you need, there is really no reason to hold back.”
The Bears also have three draft picks in the first two rounds at Nos. 10, 39 and 41 overall.
The Bears have more pressing needs to address in the first and second rounds, but after that it’s all about finding great value — and hopefully a playmaker.
The Bears were among the teams intrigued by the 25-year-old Smith, who earned his first Pro Bowl berth this year and allowed not a single sack. The Bears are likely to replace their center and both starting guards this offseason.
When free agency opens in less than two weeks, the Bears are on track to have the fourth-most salary-cap space in the NFL.
The National Weather Service issued a wind advisory from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday in Cook and DuPage counties.
A look at some of the best regional final games around the area.
Two students were with the adult outside the Southwest Side school Wednesday morning, officials said. “It is really terrifying for families and traumatizing for students,” one observer said.
Often referred to as the Andy Warhol of Japan, Murakami created the cover art for several hip hop and rap albums, most notably Kanye West’s hit 2007 album “Graduation.”
By AP
Hawks interim coach Anders Sorensen sees similarities between Slaggert and Hagel, and as it turns out, Slaggert has actually been studying Hagel’s game for years.
