2026 Roster Thread - Semi-Live

[milani]

If Wilson could pass pro he'd be a borderline 1B type back. There was a reason why Brooks had to go in instead of him so much.

Definitely. The thought of Wilson trying to chip block one of those Seahawks scares me.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

If Wilson could pass pro he'd be a borderline 1B type back. There was a reason why Brooks had to go in instead of him so much.

Agree.

As you and most fans know, when you get into the 2nd and 3rd tiers of RB's, they really are a dime a dozen. Every team has their fan favorite, but most of them are JAGS. As you alluded to, tendering Wilson would have just been overspending for something they can find elsewhere. I have seen way too many late round rookie RB's have really solid years to want to invest more than a day 3 pick in a 3rd string RB. That said, Jacobs isn't getting any younger, so unless the Packers sign an Aaron Jones or other FA veteran RB, I see Gute possibly spending 2 late picks on RB's. Marshawn Lloyds prognosis will influence that as well.

 

[tynimiller]

Agree.

As you and most fans know, when you get into the 2nd and 3rd tiers of RB's, they really are a dime a dozen. Every team has their fan favorite, but most of them are JAGS. As you alluded to, tendering Wilson would have just been overspending for something they can find elsewhere. I have seen way too many late round rookie RB's have really solid years to want to invest more than a day 3 pick in a 3rd string RB. That said, Jacobs isn't getting any younger, so unless the Packers sign an Aaron Jones or other FA veteran RB, I see Gute possibly spending 2 late picks on RB's. Marshawn Lloyds prognosis will influence that as well.

I don't necessarily think we should but Jonah Coleman is a RB that if there in the third I would fully support or understand the logic. That young man understands football, crazy solid runner, solid with his hands and A BEAST AND WILLING PASS PROTECTOR.

 

[milani]

Agree.

As you and most fans know, when you get into the 2nd and 3rd tiers of RB's, they really are a dime a dozen. Every team has their fan favorite, but most of them are JAGS. As you alluded to, tendering Wilson would have just been overspending for something they can find elsewhere. I have seen way too many late round rookie RB's have really solid years to want to invest more than a day 3 pick in a 3rd string RB. That said, Jacobs isn't getting any younger, so unless the Packers sign an Aaron Jones or other FA veteran RB, I see Gute possibly spending 2 late picks on RB's. Marshawn Lloyds prognosis will influence that as well.

It has been a challenge losing our stars last year DURING the season. But never seeing Lloyd even get to take the field 2 years and running has been disheartening.

 

[tynimiller]

It has been a challenge losing our stars last year DURING the season. But never seeing Lloyd even get to take the field 2 years and running has been disheartening.

Imagine being him how disheartening it is....cannot even fathom.

 

[OldSchool101]

It has been a challenge losing our stars last year DURING the season. But never seeing Lloyd even get to take the field 2 years and running has been disheartening.

The few times he’s been on the field he’s been ultra dynamic. I remember his first carry went for 10+ and it got called back on a holding call. We saw last season him just shed the Defense on a Wheel Route and made a 20+ yard catch look easy. If somehow someway he can get healthy, I think he’d win the RB2 role very quickly. He was universally a Top 5 ranked RB in the 2024 draft class. His USC tape is impressive, but even then one draft concern was health, it didn’t begin in the NFL. Had Marshawn been a more proficient pass blocker and not carried some minor injury concerns into the draft he’s leaning more RD2 imo.

All that said. 2026 is a good place to start looking at RB from a timing perspective as Josh isn’t getting any younger and we’ll need to take a stab at his eventual replacement. The draft is very light in prospects overall. Some think it’s possible both Notre Dame guys go 1-2 RD1-2. Yet those are the only guys across 2 Rounds and that could present some reaching in their wake.
I’d love to have 1 of the Penn State guys, but I’m also not excited about spending anything before a RD4 and they’ll likely both be gone. GB has been historically successful at RB in earlier to mid Day3 draft.

 

[Pkrjones]

Bears OC Dalman retiring at 27, walking away from $14mil/yr deal thru '27. Does Gute consider "offering" a Jenkins trade, and what draft pick could he request? There are other FA OC's available (Biadasz, Cushenberry, McGovern, Pocic) so not sure if Jenkins' contract is worth assuming?

 

[tynimiller]

Bears OC Dalman retiring at 27, walking away from $14mil/yr deal thru '27. Does Gute consider "offering" a Jenkins trade, and what draft pick could he request? There are other FA OC's available (Biadasz, Cushenberry, McGovern, Pocic) so not sure if Jenkins' contract is worth assuming?

Jenkins is untradeable as it is his base salary that has ballooned so much and the team receving would inherit.

I'm mildly shocked GB hasn't already made it known publicly they will be parting ways with him. Perhaps he and Gute/Ball are still infact trying to see if any type of agreement can be reached. I think with his injury last year and his age and his pay....it would NOT be wise to do so.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Bears OC Dalman retiring at 27, walking away from $14mil/yr deal thru '27.

This is something that I think we will continue to see more and more of. Players that are getting paid a kings ransom for a single season, can afford to retire and live like a King.

I wonder how much of Dalman's $28M guaranteed salary will be forfeited, with $6M of it being written up as a signing bonus last year.

 

[CarryTheG14]

Chris Brooks signed for 2 years.

Hopefully that means good bye to Wilson

 

[tynimiller]

Chris Brooks signed for 2 years.

Hopefully that means good bye to Wilson

I mean basically Wilson already announced he knows he's leaving. Brooks signing confirms it, but again Brooks is that 3rd down back that pass pro's for a hobby (so good).

 

[Half Empty]

This is something that I think we will continue to see more and more of. Players that are getting paid a kings ransom for a single season, can afford to retire and live like a King.

I wonder how much of Dalman's $28M guaranteed salary will be forfeited, with $6M of it being written up as a signing bonus last year.

This kind of a move had me thinking a bit about my intense dislike of guaranteed contracts. The thing with Dalman, that he's NOT doing, is just showing up for work and getting eight figures - nothing says he needs to put any effort forth, just be there.

 

[gopkrs]

The first thing I wondered about was his knees.

 

[tynimiller]

OP updated to reflect Brooks signing

 

[Pkrjones]

This kind of a move had me thinking a bit about my intense dislike of guaranteed contracts. The thing with Dalman, that he's NOT doing, is just showing up for work and getting eight figures - nothing says he needs to put any effort forth, just be there.

The Bears are allowed to go after $4mil (2/3 of the signing bonus) due to Dalman's retirement. Not sure if that becomes cap savings or just helps with cash on hand?

 

[OldSchool101]

Chris Brooks signed for 2 years.

Hopefully that means good bye to Wilson

There was a report by Jeremy Fowler (ESPN) that the Packers would not tender EW. Brooks new 2yr deal ($4.85Mil) will add about $1.5Mil added annual over his 2025 deal. However as it sits Emmanuel’s would’ve cost +$2.5mil range over 2025 (his ERFA Tender is around $3.5mil). So as it sits we just lowered our Cap $1M

I’m back to thinking we’ll add a RB, but more in that RD5-7 area where he has less risk of being poached if Lloyd is active. There’s a shortage of higher level RB options at the top of this draft, but it becomes more normalized by Mid Day3. Which means good chance we’d overpay in Day2 etc.

Really curious to see what happens with Lloyd. It’s a tough decision but imo you give him early 2026 and if he pops a groin or hammy you cut and elevate your Rookie to RB3.

 

[mradtke66]

The Bears are allowed to go after $4mil (2/3 of the signing bonus) due to Dalman's retirement. Not sure if that becomes cap savings or just helps with cash on hand?

IF they successfully get some of the signing bonus back, then it would be both, though I forget the specifics on when they get cap relief.

The catch is "why" did he retire. If he just gave up, then their chances improve. If this is medical, I think the Bears are out of luck. In either case, it isn't a given that they will get the full 2/3s. That's the maximum, but I would expect it to hit arbitration to sort out the specific number.

Then the Bears need to weigh how much they want that 4 million back. 4M is 4M, but in terms of the cap, it isn't a ton. Going after that money can negatively impact the perception of the org among current players and future free agents. There is something to be said for not going after it at all or only going after a small chunk of it.

 

[milani]

I mean basically Wilson already announced he knows he's leaving. Brooks signing confirms it, but again Brooks is that 3rd down back that pass pro's for a hobby (so good).

Always need a back that can block. It is fundamental.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Packers restructure Xavier's contract, and in the process, become cap complaint.

Packers do max restructure on Xavier McKinney, clear over $9M off 2026 cap

A quick update on Xavier McKinney's contract restructure: This was a max adjustment, which will clear over $9 million from the Packers' cap in 2026.

sports.yahoo.com

 

[Pkrjones]

McKinney's cap was reduced by $9.872mil for '26, but his cap # for '27 is almost $25mil AND there's almost $7mil pushed into the future as void years. At 28yrs old now is GB really going to extend him next year to significantly drop cap #'s?!?

 

[milani]

McKinney's cap was reduced by $9.872mil for '26, but his cap # for '27 is almost $25mil AND there's almost $7mil pushed into the future as void years. At 28yrs old now is GB really going to extend him next year to significantly drop cap #'s?!?

Glad to have him around another season.

 

[tynimiller]

McKinney's cap was reduced by $9.872mil for '26, but his cap # for '27 is almost $25mil AND there's almost $7mil pushed into the future as void years. At 28yrs old now is GB really going to extend him next year to significantly drop cap #'s?!?

Honestly wouldn’t be shocked if they did a one year extension to slide some stuff around, little more in his pocket and lower hit after this year. He is one of the best safeties in the league.

 

[OldSchool101]

As much attention as Micah gets and rightfully so, “X” is often referred to as the backbone of our Defense. He’s really the pillar of our secondary.

 

[Firethorn1001]

Looks like Gary has posted a farewell message on Instagram

 

[DABIGZ]

Yep, saw that too. Team must REALLY like LVN, Cox, Sorrel and anyone behind them until Parsons gets back.