The Chicago Bears announced today that they could not come to a mutually beneficial contract agreement with Brian Urlacher and have decided to move on.  The news came today via an official press release with Phil Emery stating:

“We were unable to reach an agreement with Brian and both sides have decided to move forward,” Bears General Manager Phil Emery said. “Brian has been an elite player in our league for over a decade. He showed great leadership and helped develop a winning culture over his time with the Bears. We appreciate all he has given our team, on and off the field. Brian will always be welcome as a member of the Bears.”

We break down the signings of Jermon  Bushrod and Martellus Bennett and consider what moves the Bears will have to make next: 

The Chicago Bears made two big announcements with the additions of Martellus Bennett and Jermon Bushrod, and the expected roster cuts to free up cap space, but there is still plenty more that needs to be accomplished.  The Bears still have 11 free agents of their own that they have expressed interest in bringing back and not one of them has signed yet. 

So where should the Bears begin to focus on in order to stay competitive in the NFC North?

In this our first edition of Bear Report TV Jeremy Stoltz and Brett Solesky talk about the additions of both tight end Martellus Bennett and left tackle Jermon Bushrod in free agency.  The Bears once again made a big splash during the opening minute of free agency, and they hope that it will pay off over the long term. 

The Chicago Bears once again opened the free agency period with a flurry of signings geared towards improving their team to make another run to the playoffs.  Shortly after the 3pm opening gun former Giants tight end Martellus Bennett announced that he was on his way to Chicago to sign with the Bears.

The place to follow information about the impending Chicago Bears free agent period starting today at 3:00pm Chicago time.  All the latest news, notes, player evaluations and rumors all in one place.

Reports today from Sean Jensen of the Chicago Sun Times had the Bears connnected to free agent left tackle Jake Long, while Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reported the Bears have real interest in right tackle Phil Loadholdt. 

As of 10:30 this morning the Bears had not cleared any addidtionaly room below the salary cap.  Kellen Davis is still on the roster eating up $2.5-million in cap space.  What the Bears plan to do to get further below the cap to potentially make a run at a big free agent remains to be seen. 

The reports from different sources say the Bears sit at $7.1-million under the cap which would  seem to be enough to make one big signing while having to adjust to bring their own players. 

Varying reports with around four and a half hours to go before the start of free agency may be a sign of legitimate interest or it might be a smoke screen by agents to drive up the price.  The idea that an agent would use a team within the Vikings own division to drive up the price for Loadholdt seems more logical than the Bears being able to afford upwards of $8 to 10-million it might take to win this battle. 

Loadholdt is one of the top young right tackles in the NFL, he's a tremendous run blocker, and a decent pass protector.  He is a RT only so there isn't a scenario in which he slides over to LT and the Bears move Webb back to RT. 

Long was at one time an elite offensive tackle and the Miami Dolphins  know better than anyone what concerns surround Long's injury history.  The fact that the Dolphins let a franchise LT hit the open market and aren't willing to pay big money for a player who was one of the best within the last couple of years raises red flags. 

Both moves on paper, would seem to be solid upgrades at the position than what the Bears already have on the roster.  The question that no one seems to ask or answer is how can the Bears justify adding a signinificant monetary contract to an alrleady strained payroll. 

The level of financial commitment to six players eats up nearly 60-percent of the current salary cap.  Adding more money to increase that figure while ignoring a number of their own free agents still doesn't make good football sense. 

The Chicago Bears need to make adjustments to their salary cap to clear up some room if they want to add new players in free agency.  In order to make these signings the Bears need to find a way to add more to the roughly $4-million they are currently under the cap, plus leave room for rookies and their own free agents. 

The Bears have a way to add an additional $7.8-million to that $4-million if they cut players who are under performing or it may be best to send packing.  If the Bears cut Devin  Hester, Earl Bennett, Kellen Davis, Adam Podelesh their base salaries would equal $7.8-million in savings.  Base salaries are not guaranteed so the Bears would  not owe them that money and that would alleviate some of the pain associated with the cap crunch.

During this edition of the best Chicago Bears podcast on the web we talked about the lead up to the 2013 free agency period for the Monsters of the Midway.  What does the Henry Melton extension mean for the Bears?  What players are the Bears targeting to bring back in 2013 and what positions and players are the Bears targeting on the open market to be a part of the new season. 

The Chicago Bears are in a hell of a salary cap and financial crunch on a level with some of the worst salary cap situations in the NFL.  This fact has gone completely unnoticed by even the most nuanced NFL analysts and Bears beat reporters.   The problem has gone unnoticed because prior to Henry Melton being designated the franchise player the Bears were under the salary cap. 

The Bears are just barely under the 2013 salary cap now with Melton's franchise tag guarantee, but have seven free agents of their own that would likely fit into the 2013 season plans.