CHICAGO _ When NFL teams were forced to use it or lose it with their salary cap, this was the time of the season a handful of contract extensions would begin getting done.
The idea was to target players coming out of contract or worthy of an extension and use existing cap space in the current year as part of the new deal to maximize resources. Otherwise, teams lost unused cap space, and the best teams generally found a way to get the most out of their cap.
The Bears did this successfully for several years before rules were changed, allowing teams to roll over unused cap space. That means the Bears, with roughly $16 million in available space for this season, can fold that into 2020. Or general manager Ryan Pace can consider working on a new contract for a player or two with five weeks remaining this in season.
The most obvious players to target are those coming out of contract, guys who are a little more than three months away from entering free agency. The only starters in that category are inside linebacker Danny Trevathan (injured), his replacement Nick Kwiatkoski and strong safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix. Nick Williams, who has emerged as a productive part of the defensive line rotation, has enhanced his value.
Extending players this close to free agency is difficult, in some cases impossible because risk for the player is almost eliminated. As long as they make it through the final five games without injury, they have a chance to negotiate with 32 teams, not one.
If Trevathan departed in free agency, he could potentially return a compensatory draft pick for the Bears in 2021, and if the team plans to pay Roquan Smith handsomely in the future, it probably doesn't want to sink big money into two inside linebackers. Kwiatkoski has helped himself subbing for Smith and Trevathan and likely would be best served seeing what's out there after the season.
Clinton-Dix figured he would cash in during free agency back in March, but it was a crowded market with experienced safeties so he chose a one-year, prove-it deal with the idea of having better luck the second time around.
"I know how important it is to finish the season because (last season), I started off hot," Clinton-Dix said. "I didn't finish how I wanted to finish. My main focus is on these games. I would love to be here and continue this legacy with this group of guys, but unfortunately we know how the business is. I am just going to continue doing my part as a leader, as a competitor and I'm going to leave it in their hands."
Williams, who has put money in the bank for himself for next season as he leads the team with six sacks, said he isn't thinking about a payday.
"I am worried about helping the Bears win," he said. "I'm setting myself up to do good, but I have to play well."
The one player who sticks out when it comes to an extension is wide receiver Allen Robinson. He is signed through 2020, but there is no guaranteed money remaining in his contract. Robinson is the Bears' only consistent offensive playmaker, and failing to extend him before the start of next season would transfer the leverage to the player and put the franchise in jeopardy of losing Pace's best free-agent signing on offense.
Consider for a moment where the Bears, 28th in scoring at 17.1 points per game, would without Robinson. Wide receiver Taylor Gabriel is sidelined with his second concussion of the season. Anthony Miller has been through the ups and downs of a rookie season in his second year. Fourth-round pick Riley Ridley has been in uniform for only one game and he didn't see the field. The tight ends have delivered next to nothing in the passing game and Tarik Cohen is averaging 5.6 yards per reception.
Robinson, 26, is coming off his second 100-yard game of the season as he caught six passes for 131 yards and a touchdown in the win over the Giants. He's on pace for 1,111 yards at a position that has been difficult for the Bears to draft and develop. It goes beyond missing on Kevin White, their first-round pick in 2015. Since 2000, only two draft picks have produced a 1,000-yard receiving season _ Marty Booker (2001, 2002) and Alshon Jeffery (2013, 2014).
Robinson is a perfect example of the type of player the Bears want in their locker room. He's hard-working, leads by example and most importantly produces. Some might prefer to invest in a game-breaking receiver than someone like Robinson, who's more of a possession target. But the Bears don't have that luxury.
The Bears signed Robinson to a three-year, $42 million contract last year when he was coming off a torn ACL in his left knee with the Jaguars. The deal calls for him to earn $13 million next season and the Bears could tack on two or three seasons to the deal by rewarding one of the few offensive players who has played to expectations while taking care of a piece of business that would otherwise be on the front burner for the offseason.
Pace has generally preferred to work on contract extensions during the offseason, but handling this now would show the Bears recognize what Robinson has meant to them and would definitely give them a positive story in the news cycle during a season that has had so many negatives.
"After going through the whole (free-agency) process before, there are a lot of different logistics that go along with it on both sides," Robinson said. "My focus is just to finish the season strong and I am sure at some point in time whether it's my agent starting it or them, it will be talked about. There is a good amount of time.
"So many different scenarios can play out. The time will come."
Robinson knows how an injury can take him out for an extended period so he'd probably be receptive to a deal sooner than later. It can't hurt for the Bears to explore the issue because, if not, they will have to put it at the top of their offseason to-do list.
