Durkin: Bears' 2015 Free Agency Primer
By Dan Durkin-
(CBS) Just a month ago, New England defensive back Malcolm Butler jumped a route at the end zone in the waning seconds to preserve victory for the Patriots over the Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX. The Patriots' month to bask in Super Bowl glory is coming to an end, as the league turns the page on the 2014 season and officially starts the 2015 league year on Tuesday at 3 p.m. CT.
Here are some pertinent details and dates to be aware of as the new league year approaches.
Cap update
The 2015 salary cap limit has been set at $143.28 million per club, a 7.7 percent jump from last season.
Currently, the Bears have 53 players under contract and will start free agency with just more than $28 million in free cap space.
Keep in mind, however, that the rookie class will cost the Bears nearly $6 million, so realistically, they have about $22 million to play with on the free-agent market. That total includes the $1.545 million carryover credit from remaining money the Bears didn't spend in 2014 and a slight league adjustment.
General manager Ryan Pace inherits a relatively clean slate and minimal dead money to work with as he assesses the team's needs. Pace will soon put to action his plan that compared the strengths of the free agent class against that of the draft, to determine how the team will use its healthy player budget in free agency.
As always, the cap situation is fluid and can -- and likely will -- change. Two of the Bears' top three cap charges for 2015 -- quarterback Jay Cutler and receiver Brandon Marshall -- have clauses in their contract that guarantee money as of March 12, so decisions need to be made on both players over the next week.
Bears' unrestricted free agent list
* Lance Briggs, linebacker, 34
* Charles Tillman, cornerback, 34
* Chris Conte, safety, 26
* D.J. Williams, linebacker, 32
* Stephen Paea, defensive tackle, 26
* Brian de la Puente, center, 29
* Jimmy Clausen, quarterback, 27
* Sherrick McManis, cornerback, 27
* Danny McCray, safety, 26
* Trevor Scott, defensive end, 30
* Dante Rosario, tight end, 30
* Josh Morgan, wide receiver, 29
* Jeremy Cain, long snapper, 34
* Darryl Sharpton, linebacker, 27
* Eben Britton, offensive tackle, 27
* Montell Owens, fullback, 30
* Jay Feely, kicker, 38
Rule of 51
Recall if you will that in the offseason, specifically from March 10 to Sept. 2, the Rule of 51 is in effect. This rule stipulates that only the top 51 contracts are accounted for in the offseason period. The Bears' projected free cap figure above includes only the team's current top 51 salaries.
However, on Sept. 3, all contracts – including practice squad players – count against the salary cap.
Negotiating period starts Saturday
Back in 2013, the NFL instituted a three-day negotiating -- or "legal tampering" -- period prior to free agency. Starting at 3 p.m. CT this Saturday, teams and agents of unrestricted free agents have a three-day window to discuss contract terms -- but not reach an agreement -- and jockey to be the first visit on a free agent's docket.
Agents already have a feel for what positions teams are in the market for, as discussions originated during the week of the Senior Bowl, then amplified at the NFL Scouting Combine. But by having this negotiation window, teams can wait to disclose their specific contract figures. If they release this information too soon, agents will then shop that offer around, which could ultimately cost a team an opportunity to sign a player they coveted.
June 1 cuts
June 1 is a frequently mentioned date during free agency. It specifically refers to the "acceleration" provision in the collective bargaining agreement (CBA), article 13, section 6, paragraph 5 (ii).
To summarize, the acceleration provision allows teams to either designate two players as June 1 cuts or outright cut players on or after June 1, to spread their remaining dead money over two seasons. Thus, this is a useful tool for teams in a cap crunch that have a player whose dead money exceeds the cost to keep them on the roster.
The misconception that needs to be cleared up about this provision is the money is not available immediately. The salary of a player who is designated as a June 1 cut remains on the books in full until that date.
Market for need positions
The Bears have a long list of needs, particularly on the defensive side of the football. In case you missed them, here are free agency previews for three positions at which Bears may look for veteran help.
* Cornerback
* Safety
* Inside linebacker
Final thoughts
Pace has maintained that in order for the Bears to sustain success, they must build through the draft. That goal isn't unique to the Bears.
Under the new CBA, the league has put a cap on rookie spending, which has created a cheap labor market for teams that scout well. The Bears' recent reliance on free agency and trades to add talent to the roster is the byproduct of failed drafts and has created a top-heavy roster.
Judging by his history in New Orleans, Pace will be active in the free agency. The Bears' current coaching staff is a "win-now" group, so the challenge for Pace is to provide better talent to compete with this fall, while simultaneously building for the future.
Dan Durkin covers the Bears for CBSChicago.com and is a frequent contributor to 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter at @djdurkin.