ASK THE REPORTER BRAD BIGGS
Any players you see as prime candidates for contract extensions? — @tn5280
General manager Ryan Poles will have a massive supply of salary-cap space moving into 2023 — more than $100 million — and the best money a team can spend in free agency is to keep its own players from hitting the open market.
I wrote before the Packers game how Poles has a small group of players eligible for contract extensions. That group includes tight end Cole Kmet, cornerback Jaylon Johnson and wide receivers Darnell Mooney and Chase Claypool.
How Poles and his staff evaluate those players, we don’t know. Mooney is recovering from an injury and his health obviously will be a factor.
I’m not sure the team has been blown away by any newcomers who signed one-year deals. It would not surprise me if the Bears try to re-sign special teams ace DeAndre Houston-Carson. It’s possible the safety finally has earned himself a multiyear deal.
Barring any injuries in the last four games and assuming Braxton Jones maintains his current level of play, do you anticipate the Bears project him to be the starting LT in 2023? — @mmueller1070
Jones is the only player on offense to be on the field for all 809 snaps this season, so there’s a little trivia question and answer for you. He has done a nice job in that his play hasn’t generated a lot of attention. That can be a good thing for offensive linemen.
Jones has a lot he can improve on, but he has gotten better as he’s gone along and it doesn’t look like the offense is scheming to help him as much, which the Bears were doing consistently at the start of the season.
“Braxton’s been solid,” coach Matt Eberflus said. “He’s done a good job for a rookie to be able to play in there ... and handle everything he’s been handling. I think he would say it too — he’s really got to firm up on the bull rushes. That’s the biggest thing he’s got to do is take a big set, be able to firm his inside leg there and stay firm in the pocket.
“He’s got to really do a good job these next four weeks, and this is a big challenge this week. (The Eagles) have got a couple waves of defensive line(men) — probably the deepest defensive line in the whole league. It’s going to be a big challenge for our offensive line for sure.”
I think Jones has played well enough to be considered as a starter for next season. The question is, will a premier left tackle be available in free agency who is young enough to be a pillar for seasons to come? If so, that might be something Poles wants to consider. If not, I think the Bears will have confidence Jones can grow, get a little stronger and be a better player in his second season.
Equanimeous St. Brown, Byron Pringle, Dante Pettis and N’Keal Harry all are on expiring contracts. What is more likely: 0 out of 4 coming back next year or two or more of them coming back? Seems like St. Brown coming back is the most likely. — @bigbusinessbird
If I had to pick zero or two, I would lean toward zero. We’re talking about a group of players who should not slot higher than third on the depth chart, and really, in a high-caliber passing offense they would be fourth or fifth options. The bigger question is, will the Bears be able to pursue a legitimate No. 1 wide receiver?
They don’t have one and haven’t for a long time. The Bears have been guilty of overslotting wide receivers — pushing No. 3 receivers into a No. 2 or even a No. 1 role.
The list of potential free-agent wide receivers is pretty underwhelming. Jakobi Meyers of the Patriots might be the best available option. He’s not a No. 1 receiver. I think the lack of available talent at the position come March influenced Poles’ decision to trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers for Chase Claypool.
Can the Bears add a high-caliber wide receiver in the draft? That’s possible. It’s on the list of needs, and that’s far worthier of attention than moves at the back end of the depth chart.