Bears can't keep Briggs and Berrian
The Bears are doing their best to keep all the free agents, and for that they should be commended. They have been known to pinch pennies in recent years, so this is a good sign.
It doesn't mean that it's remotely realistic.
Lance Briggs is gone. Even Rotoworld sophomore slump candidate of the year and noted Bears expert Patrick Dahl agrees. The Redskins are probably ready to make him the highest paid linebacker in the league, salary cap be damned. While the Bears' offer is probably fair, they won't pay him more than Brian Urlacher.
Berrian is probably gone as well unless Chicago uses the franchise tag. Some players spend their whole careers without hitting free agency in their playing prime.
Berrian is only ten days away, and Drew Rosenhaus isn't likely to give up the chance to field offers from 31 teams. I'd guess Berrian would require $12 million guaranteed to pass up going to the market. For top-shelf players, you need to sign them before they can smell the money.
That's why signing Tommie Harris now is a great idea - before they wind up with Harris sniffing free agency in another year. He's the most irreplaceable player on the team.
Comments