If this is the beginning of the rebuild who is next on the chopping block?
Offensive Lineman James Carpenter could be the next one on the board, he is currently the eldest lineman on the roster and has the highest cap charge by far... Before we go spastic, look at the depth on the line we have a plethora of interior linemen that could take his place for a fraction of his cap charge... One name would be Brent Qvale who is been noted competing with last year's draft selection Brandon Shell... Shell looks like the odds on favorite to win the right tackle starting job, leaving Qvale on the outside... Last year Qvale played some significant time on the interior and was very effective, if the team wants to roll with the youngins that this move would make sense...
Another mystery player is veteran running back Matt Forte... Unlike the other old guys his entire contract is guaranteed... Forte himself would have to ask to be released to the point of giving up some of those guaranteed dollars to move on, but that is highly unlikely... Could the team find a trading partner for him? Long stretch... With all the cap saving moves, removing the elder statesmen from the team, eating his guaranteed contract isn't out of the realm of possibilities... Having Bilal Powell, Elijah McGuire and either/or both other rushers in Brandon Wilds, Romar Morris could compete for the final roster spot while leaving room to keep both of 'em...
Lets not forget even tho our defensive line is stout we still have the old guy Steve McClendon on the roster and if removal of the older guys is in effect then McClendon could be on the chopping block... From Mo, Leo and Sheldon is there room for McClendon? Not even as a role player where we are too talented in youth, that it would be smarter not to go with one of the six young ones currently competing this off season (Gamble, A Johnson, B Bryant, Pelon, Pennel, Simon, L Thomas)...
After these next three there are a few other guys but being brought in by this regime, they are more than likely short term suitors within this rebuild...
Offensive Lineman James Carpenter could be the next one on the board, he is currently the eldest lineman on the roster and has the highest cap charge by far... Before we go spastic, look at the depth on the line we have a plethora of interior linemen that could take his place for a fraction of his cap charge... One name would be Brent Qvale who is been noted competing with last year's draft selection Brandon Shell... Shell looks like the odds on favorite to win the right tackle starting job, leaving Qvale on the outside... Last year Qvale played some significant time on the interior and was very effective, if the team wants to roll with the youngins that this move would make sense...
Another mystery player is veteran running back Matt Forte... Unlike the other old guys his entire contract is guaranteed... Forte himself would have to ask to be released to the point of giving up some of those guaranteed dollars to move on, but that is highly unlikely... Could the team find a trading partner for him? Long stretch... With all the cap saving moves, removing the elder statesmen from the team, eating his guaranteed contract isn't out of the realm of possibilities... Having Bilal Powell, Elijah McGuire and either/or both other rushers in Brandon Wilds, Romar Morris could compete for the final roster spot while leaving room to keep both of 'em...
Lets not forget even tho our defensive line is stout we still have the old guy Steve McClendon on the roster and if removal of the older guys is in effect then McClendon could be on the chopping block... From Mo, Leo and Sheldon is there room for McClendon? Not even as a role player where we are too talented in youth, that it would be smarter not to go with one of the six young ones currently competing this off season (Gamble, A Johnson, B Bryant, Pelon, Pennel, Simon, L Thomas)...
After these next three there are a few other guys but being brought in by this regime, they are more than likely short term suitors within this rebuild...