NFL free agency buzz: Money matters as Bears move toward Trevathan

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The Bears aren’t alone in their interest in Denver Broncos inside linebacker Danny Trevathan. That means money, for Trevathan. And some possible issues looming for the Bears, regardless of their solid salary cap situation.

In the NFL, all it takes is two (teams) to make a market. Besides the Broncos and Bears, the Atlanta Falcons are in the contract discussion with Trevathan, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

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Not that the Bears ever expected to have the Trevathan courtship to themselves. But of the top 10 salaries for inside linebackers, only one (the Colts’ D’Qwell Jackson) is below $6 million, and that’s with Carolina’s Luke Kuechly ($6 million) still on his rookie contract and Seattle’s Bobby Wagner in the early, i.e. cheaper, years of his deal that will average $10 million over four years.

The average for the top 10 inside-linebacker salaries is $8.7 million. All of which, given the jump in the salary cap, points to Trevathan commanding something in the range of $8 million per season.

[SHOP: Gear up, Bears fans!]

At this point, allowing for bonus structures, base salaries and guarantees, that would give the Bears three linebackers in rarified salary air: Trevathan, say, $8 million; Pernell McPhee, $7.7 million; and Lamarr Houston, $7 million. The Bears also need to address free-agent-to-be Shea McClellin.

Houston was the Bears’ sack leader last season. But with fills still needed in a pricey market, the Bears are expected to need to take some sort of action with Houston, whether a restructure or other move.

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