NFL Free Agency 2017: Latest Rumors, Predictions on Where Big Names Will Land

Welcome to the start of the 2017 league year.

It's basically New Year's Day in the NFL, as teams will be free to start signing unresticted free agents as of 4 p.m. ET Thursday.

The salary cap is going up to $167 million, according to NFL.com's Judy Battista. Many teams are flush with cash, and teams that struggled last year will have the opportunity to improve their rosters by signing proven veteran players.

One of those teams is the Chicago Bears, and the expectation is that Tampa Bay Buccaneers backup quarterback Mike Glennon will sign with them shortly after the signing period begins.

This has been in the rumor mill for days, and it seems as though the Bears have eliminated other suitors in the days leading up to the start of free agency.

NFL Media's Mike Silver gives this eventuality the most credibility. Silver tweeted that the Jets and 49ers do not have enough interest to keep Glennon from signing with the Bears.

Glennon has been Tampa Bay's backup quarterback to Jameis Winston the past two years, but he started in 2013 and 2014 for them. After the Bucs selected Winston with the No. 1 pick in 2015, he immediately became the starter and Glennon's progress has been on hold since then.

Glennon has completed 374 of 630 passes for 4,100 yards with a 30-to-15 TD-to-interception ratio in his career. All but 11 of his passes were thrown in 2013 and 2014.

If the Bears sign Glennon and make him their starting quarterback, it would give the 3-13 team a new look on offense. Glennon is a 6'6", 225-pound signal-caller who can see over the top of the defense. If he can find open receivers with some regularity, he could give a stagnant passing game somewhat of a lift.

Jeff Haynes/Associated Press

The Minnesota Vikings appear to have an excellent chance of getting involved in the free-agent market by adding to their defensive line.

Head coach Mike Zimmer saw the Vikings get off to a sharp start in 2016 before fading, and while most of their problems were with a limited offense, their defense also struggled as the season progressed.

Zimmer made his reputation as one of the top defensive minds in the league, and he can't abide having a defensive line that doesn't win the battle on an every-game basis.

He appears to have a good shot at signing Cincinnati nose tackle Domata Peko, according to Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press.

Zimmer was the Bengals' defensive coordinator prior to taking the Minnesota head coaching position, and he coached Peko from 2008 through 2013. He knows Peko can do a good job on the interior, and while the 32-year-old may not be an every-down player at this point in his career, he can make a solid contribution.

Ed Zurga/Associated Press

If the Vikings need help on defense, the Washington Redskins need even more. Head coach Jay Gruden would like to see more strength on the defensive line, and signing defensive linemen should be a priority for this team.

CBSSports.com Jason La Canfora reports that the Redskins are going after defensive tackle Dontari Poe of the Kansas City Chiefs.

Poe is a beast at 6'3" and 346 pounds, and he is capable of clogging the middle. Poe had 27 tackles (18 solo, nine assists), 1.5 sacks, three passes defensed and forced one fumble.

The presence of Poe would help a Washington defense that ranked 28th in yardage allowed.