The Chicago Bears will have a lot of decisions to make when it comes to their salary cap this offseason. With big names needing new deals, the Bears will have to pick between players while others could be up for trades this summer. Zach Miller and Martellus Bennett could learn that the hard way as the Bears might not be able to retain both into next year.
Miller has an expiring contract while Bennett is currently facing trade rumors around his name. Bennett did not have the ideal season after demanding a new contract from the team last year. He put up just 439 yards and three touchdowns which is a big drop from the 916 yards and six touchdowns he put up last season. Bennett was vocal about his displeasure regarding his role on the team before ending the year on injured reserve for a rib issue.
The Chicago Sun-Times reported during the year that Bennett could be at risk of getting traded. With the tight end market low, the Bears could capitalize on the veteran's value in the league while opting to re-sign Miller to a cheaper contract. Miller had a nice career-year finishing with 439 yards and five touchdowns. The Bears could get him on a discount contract and dump the commitment to Bennett.
However, now with the official offseason set to begin, the Bears might not be so quick to switch leading tight ends. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Bennett might not be a sure thing to leave like everyone first thought. The big thing for Chicago is looking at injuries. Miller's career has been marred by injuries. The chances he stays healthy for a second year in a row is slim. Not to mention, Bennett has been the more consistent player in his Chicago tenure. Sure he has not had the best run ins with the media, but his production on the field cannot be denied.
The tight end position is not the only one plaguing Chicago. The Bears will have to decide between Matt Forte and Jeremy Langford. Forte's contract is expiring and Spotrac.com reports he is worth at least a three-year deal worth over $20 million. The Bears cannot afford that, but are they ready to fully commit to Langford who had just a handful of breakout games to his name.
There is also the need of re-signing Alshon Jeffery who told ESPN.com that he has no interest in a franchise tag and wants a long-term contract worth the type of deals that Julio Jones and Demaryius Thomas got. General manager Ryan Pace told the media that they would look at everything with the receiver, but the Bears plan on keeping him around. With defense also needing upgrades, the offensive decisions could shape the offseason in Chicago.