Chicago Bears Offseason Thread (the tank must payoff)

[WrigleyField 22]

 

 

nearly all C's are mid-round rookies, and again, the talent you are trying to upgrade from is Sam Mustipher. hell, Schmitz may even go late 1st, early 2nd and if that's the case the Bears would need to have a trade out of their first to get him (getting him w/a top 2nd round instead), but if he did fall to the late 2nd, I'd draft him.

 

what other FA center is available this offseason?

 

Yeah, Schmitz seems like he'll go anywhere from mid 2nd to mid 3rd. He's interesting because he doesn't seem very athletic. Not a guy that's going to wow at the combine, but he plays way more athletically than he looks. Has a lot of plays where he makes fantastic reach blocks, which are key for this offense. Not sure how good he would handle elite interior pass rushers or DEs on stunts, but run blocking looks like a clear fit.

 

But overall, I'm not in love with the guy as a prospect. Definitely not big on handing him the job as a rookie, and where he will get drafted you basically would have to hand him the job to make the pick worth it. But if the Bears do sign a really good LG and a starting RT, then he becomes a much more viable option.

 

I'm coming back to this because I've been busy the last few days and haven't had a chance to reply, but Schmitz is more than capable w/ pass rushers and stunts. He's off the charts on run blocking and pretty damn good on passing downs

 

https://www.nfldraftbuzz.com/Player/JohnMichael-Schmitz-OL-Minnesota

 

even if Patrick somehow held on the C position, Schmitz has the size, talent, and athleticism to play G. He'd be a better bet than Mustipher and probably most of the top G's in the draft

 

eta: plus, he's from the south suburbs and very likely a Bears fan. HOMER UP

If he's a versatile IOL guy, then that may be slightly different than a C only guy. So he could be the "make a decision on Whitehair later" guy then.

 

I *may* still just have a little Hrosniss Grasu trauma, but the mid round C only scares me.

[minnesotacubsfan]

He's bigger than Grasu, Schmitz is 6-4 and 320. Grasu was 300 wet

 

In fact, Schmitz will be one of the largest C's in the nfl if that's where he plays

Edited December 31, 2022 by minnesotacubsfan

[WrigleyField 22]

He's bigger than Grasu, Schmitz is 6-4 and 320. Grady was 300 wet

 

In fact, Schmitz will be one of the largest C's in the nfl if that's where he plays

320. Poles doesn't like the fatties. Probably a pass for the Bears.

[minnesotacubsfan]

320. Poles doesn't like the fatties. Probably a pass for the Bears.

 

 

How so? He's got Sam Mustipher as his current C, Mustiphers shape can only be described as round. Poles must be able to justify it somehow

[WrigleyField 22]

320. Poles doesn't like the fatties. Probably a pass for the Bears.

 

 

How so? He's got Sam Mustipher as his current C, Mustiphers shape can only be described as round. Poles must be able to justify it somehow

Mustipher only forced on him cuz he thinks the cap is real

*niche sarcasm post*

[Bertz]

Yeah if you look at the Mockdraftable charts for the OL guys Poles drafted last year I believe to a man they're all high on speed and mobility and low on size and strength. Plus he kept Whitehair who is in that same mold. It's probably the thing we can most definitively say about his player preferences. The other I feel fairly comfortable taking as fact is that for WRs he seems to like either speed freaks or big long-wingspan guys. Doesn't seem as into the Allen Robinson/Keenan Allen types.

[jersey cubs fan]

Ancillary topic: what kind of coaching turnover are we looking at this year? I can’t think of anybody who looks like an up and comer that teams will poach with promotions.

 

Presumably Eberflus is fine, despite his supposed area of expertise being absolutely awful. But does his DC take a fall for that? He was just a guy brought in for continuity for the head coach transitioning away from being DC. He wasn’t an in demand assistant. But can you blame him for a talentless defense playing poorly?

Do you go down to a d line coach who hasn’t developed any dlineman, or a secondary coach?

 

On the offensive side, Getsy leaves a lot to be desired, but by default you almost have to keep him around for Fields to get some consistency, unless there’s an underlying conflict. The O line coach has done an underwhelming job, as well as receivers. I think the tight ends coach is the only position coach you could say actually got more out of guys.

 

But it all comes down to the front office refusing to put talented players at positions of need. You could make a case that nobody really earned a pink slip but also that they’d be justified canning anybody. At the end of the day this team is drafting in the top 5 and at the bottom of the barrel in nearly every category with the exception of QB rush yards. Somebody has to take the fall. And not just Ted.

[WrigleyField 22]

Ancillary topic: what kind of coaching turnover are we looking at this year? I can’t think of anybody who looks like an up and comer that teams will poach with promotions.

 

Presumably Eberflus is fine, despite his supposed area of expertise being absolutely awful. But does his DC take a fall for that? He was just a guy brought in for continuity for the head coach transitioning away from being DC. He wasn’t an in demand assistant. But can you blame him for a talentless defense playing poorly?

Do you go down to a d line coach who hasn’t developed any dlineman, or a secondary coach?

 

On the offensive side, Getsy leaves a lot to be desired, but by default you almost have to keep him around for Fields to get some consistency, unless there’s an underlying conflict. The O line coach has done an underwhelming job, as well as receivers. I think the tight ends coach is the only position coach you could say actually got more out of guys.

 

But it all comes down to the front office refusing to put talented players at positions of need. You could make a case that nobody really earned a pink slip but also that they’d be justified canning anybody. At the end of the day this team is drafting in the top 5 and at the bottom of the barrel in nearly every category with the exception of QB rush yards. Somebody has to take the fall. And not just Ted.

There's always minor coach changes, but yea, I'm not expecting anything at the coordinator level, baring some crazy circumstance.

 

The OL coach I don't think has deep ties to Getsy. Wonder if he's a fall guy. Wonder about the WR coach/ passing coordinator too. He was highly touted, but the pass scheme failed to get guys open. Obvious talent discrepancy aside, that's a huge question for the O scheme.

 

The DL and Asst DL coach also weren't Flus guys that came over with him. Easy fall guys there for their worst unit.

[raw]

Ancillary topic: what kind of coaching turnover are we looking at this year? I can’t think of anybody who looks like an up and comer that teams will poach with promotions.

 

Presumably Eberflus is fine, despite his supposed area of expertise being absolutely awful. But does his DC take a fall for that? He was just a guy brought in for continuity for the head coach transitioning away from being DC. He wasn’t an in demand assistant. But can you blame him for a talentless defense playing poorly?

Do you go down to a d line coach who hasn’t developed any dlineman, or a secondary coach?

 

On the offensive side, Getsy leaves a lot to be desired, but by default you almost have to keep him around for Fields to get some consistency, unless there’s an underlying conflict. The O line coach has done an underwhelming job, as well as receivers. I think the tight ends coach is the only position coach you could say actually got more out of guys.

 

But it all comes down to the front office refusing to put talented players at positions of need. You could make a case that nobody really earned a pink slip but also that they’d be justified canning anybody. At the end of the day this team is drafting in the top 5 and at the bottom of the barrel in nearly every category with the exception of QB rush yards. Somebody has to take the fall. And not just Ted.

 

The defensive backs coach is leaving for a college job after next week's game.

 

 

Of course, the defensive backfield has been the most promising portion of this team outside of Fields. A lot of young players back there who have developed in the last few weeks (throw out the Detroit game).

 

I was wondering the same though. I'm guessing a couple guys will take a fall. IDK if it will be presented as a firing, but I'd imagine a couple guys will want to leave and others will be replaced.

[minnesotacubsfan]

I wonder if the Hamlin heart attack will push the Bears brass into sitting Fields. I would love to see JF break the rushing record, but I am also mostly just done with football for the year

[bjam12]

I wonder if the Hamlin heart attack will push the Bears brass into sitting Fields. I would love to see JF break the rushing record, but I am also mostly just done with football for the year

 

I don't see how last night would have any bearing on their decision to play Fields or not.

[gflore34]

I wonder if the Hamlin heart attack will push the Bears brass into sitting Fields. I would love to see JF break the rushing record, but I am also mostly just done with football for the year

 

I don't see how last night would have any bearing on their decision to play Fields or not.

 

It appeared to an instance of Commotio cordis which is a possibility at any time, don't know if extra padding on the chest plate is a requirement for football shoulder pads. It's a requirement for lacrosse shoulder pads and liners.

[raw]

 

It appeared to an instance of Commotio cordis which is a possibility at any time, don't know if extra padding on the chest plate is a requirement for football shoulder pads. It's a requirement for lacrosse shoulder pads and liners.

 

It is not, and honestly, I don't know that it would matter. Chest plate is pretty well protected by properly fitting shoulder pads. But when you're talking about that level of force and another hard surface, such as shoulder pads or a helmet of another player, there's not a whole lot that can be done. Just a freak accident, honestly.

[minnesotacubsfan]

I wonder if the Hamlin heart attack will push the Bears brass into sitting Fields. I would love to see JF break the rushing record, but I am also mostly just done with football for the year

 

I don't see how last night would have any bearing on their decision to play Fields or not.

 

my only thought was that the Bears may be thinking they should shut Fields down to keep him from any injury in a meaningless game, and what happened last night may remind them of that/reinforce the concerns. Not that Fields could suffer the same fate

[UMFan83]

Someone did a really detailed Bears offseason projection with 2023 depth chart. I have to admit I don’t know whether this is a good plan or bad plan but figured I’d share it. Thoughts?

 

[minnesotacubsfan]

love the trade to Indy and still getting Anderson, plus the SMU WR

 

btw, I keep forgetting SMU is a thing. I remember them getting the death penalty

[WrigleyField 22]

Someone did a really detailed Bears offseason projection with 2023 depth chart. I have to admit I don’t know whether this is a good plan or bad plan but figured I’d share it. Thoughts?

 

Not nearly enough big money signings.

[BigbadB]

The trade with Indy is the ideal situation that I'm hoping the Bears can pull off. Basically trade down while still getting the arguably best player in the draft. Looking over the entirety of his mock, I'd say that's an incredible amount of moving parts, but it's the one thing we can expect to see this offseason. Will Poles hit on all of his moves? Probably not. But he has the capability to build a playoff team this offseason.

[We Got The Whole 9]

He has to spend ~140m. It's going to be an epic off-season. I mean he might suck, and not all of his moves are going to work out, but it'll still be pretty fun when we are the it team making several splash moves in FA and hopefully the coup de grace comes with a haul of future picks in a trade-back. Edited January 4, 2023 by We Got The Whole 9

[We Got The Whole 9]

Dupe

[raw]

Someone did a really detailed Bears offseason projection with 2023 depth chart. I have to admit I don’t know whether this is a good plan or bad plan but figured I’d share it. Thoughts?

 

 

It's OK. Hit both lines hard with 6 new players on each. Probably overkill on OL, but wouldn't complain. The offensive weapons are largely unchanged. Doesn't have Velus on the roster, which he certainly will be. But he adds 3 rookies, the highly picked one from a non Power 5 (I also disagree with his assessment of Rice, not a prototype #1, I see more of a 2 or big slot) and two more on Day 3, who are unlikely to ever amount to much. The RBs are the same. The TE depth chart replaces a journeyman backup (Griffin) with a 7th round pick. That's putting all the eggs in the improved OL basket, and other than Seumalo, who has had a long injury history, those moves are otherwise middling.

[bukie]

Someone did a really detailed Bears offseason projection with 2023 depth chart. I have to admit I don’t know whether this is a good plan or bad plan but figured I’d share it. Thoughts?

 

 

It's OK. Hit both lines hard with 6 new players on each. Probably overkill on OL, but wouldn't complain. The offensive weapons are largely unchanged. Doesn't have Velus on the roster, which he certainly will be. But he adds 3 rookies, the highly picked one from a non Power 5 (I also disagree with his assessment of Rice, not a prototype #1, I see more of a 2 or big slot) and two more on Day 3, who are unlikely to ever amount to much. The RBs are the same. The TE depth chart replaces a journeyman backup (Griffin) with a 7th round pick. That's putting all the eggs in the improved OL basket, and other than Seumalo, who has had a long injury history, those moves are otherwise middling.

I think my least favorite thing about it is effectively counting on a 2nd round rookie WR to be your WR1. All the line improvement in the world isn't going to fix the passing offense if none of the WRs can get open or make catches.

 

This is also why I'm in huge favor of either trading some draft capital for a real WR1 (like Adams from the Raiders), or snag any WR1 that ends up a cap casualty on another overburdened roster, since the FA crop is seriously weak (Julio Jones might be the best option and he's not a great option).

[jumbo]

I did a mock draft where I traded back with Indy and got DeForest Buckner, then traded back with Atlanta and got Kyle Pitts, then drafted Skoronski at 7. Completely unrealistic but fun.

 

We're going to see a lot of bad spending during FA. Many will be roasting the money Poles is giving out, but he kind of has no choice as Wrigley has pointed out. I think Jersey said something about not punting offseasons, and our forced spending this FA is going to look ugly in a lot of cases.

 

I'm not really sure who all is going to be even available. So many receivers were traded for/resigned. Packers just kept Jenkins off the market. It will happen many more times with other attractive targets. I'm sure there will be some good players out there still, and Poles needs to fire the money cannon at the best players available and can do so without much regard for players already on the roster.

A RG is the best lineman available, horsefeathers it, sign him and move him or Jenkins to LG. Saquan is the best pure playmake available, horsefeathers it, sign him. Best defender is a corner, sign him. Just get the best players instead of trying to fit some niche of the defense. Let your coaches coach the good traits and position the guys for success.

I'm ramlbing, but it's hard to be really optimistic about the offseason/FA period knowing that many of the best players are being taken off the market.

[raw]

Someone did a really detailed Bears offseason projection with 2023 depth chart. I have to admit I don’t know whether this is a good plan or bad plan but figured I’d share it. Thoughts?

 

 

It's OK. Hit both lines hard with 6 new players on each. Probably overkill on OL, but wouldn't complain. The offensive weapons are largely unchanged. Doesn't have Velus on the roster, which he certainly will be. But he adds 3 rookies, the highly picked one from a non Power 5 (I also disagree with his assessment of Rice, not a prototype #1, I see more of a 2 or big slot) and two more on Day 3, who are unlikely to ever amount to much. The RBs are the same. The TE depth chart replaces a journeyman backup (Griffin) with a 7th round pick. That's putting all the eggs in the improved OL basket, and other than Seumalo, who has had a long injury history, those moves are otherwise middling.

I think my least favorite thing about it is effectively counting on a 2nd round rookie WR to be your WR1. All the line improvement in the world isn't going to fix the passing offense if none of the WRs can get open or make catches.

 

This is also why I'm in huge favor of either trading some draft capital for a real WR1 (like Adams from the Raiders), or snag any WR1 that ends up a cap casualty on another overburdened roster, since the FA crop is seriously weak (Julio Jones might be the best option and he's not a great option).

 

So, I do disagree with the bolded part. I think OL help would work wonders. The OL was a little bit better in 2021 and for the most part we weren't talking about Mooney not being able to get open. The Bears just played Robinson, who has never been a great separator and a bunch of tiny guys who took a while to get open when teams were physical with them.

 

I think 2023 Claypool will be better than 2021 Robinson at getting open. And Mooney with his speed, will get open if you give Fields time, as he has in the past. I just think the OL he put together isn't to the level where you're good with almost no help to the weapons. If he was adding elite level play at C, LG and RT, then Claypool, Mooney, Rice is probably fine. But on paper that is a middle of the road OL, at best and still a bottom 1/3 group of weapons.

[WrigleyField 22]

 

It's OK. Hit both lines hard with 6 new players on each. Probably overkill on OL, but wouldn't complain. The offensive weapons are largely unchanged. Doesn't have Velus on the roster, which he certainly will be. But he adds 3 rookies, the highly picked one from a non Power 5 (I also disagree with his assessment of Rice, not a prototype #1, I see more of a 2 or big slot) and two more on Day 3, who are unlikely to ever amount to much. The RBs are the same. The TE depth chart replaces a journeyman backup (Griffin) with a 7th round pick. That's putting all the eggs in the improved OL basket, and other than Seumalo, who has had a long injury history, those moves are otherwise middling.

I think my least favorite thing about it is effectively counting on a 2nd round rookie WR to be your WR1. All the line improvement in the world isn't going to fix the passing offense if none of the WRs can get open or make catches.

 

This is also why I'm in huge favor of either trading some draft capital for a real WR1 (like Adams from the Raiders), or snag any WR1 that ends up a cap casualty on another overburdened roster, since the FA crop is seriously weak (Julio Jones might be the best option and he's not a great option).

 

So, I do disagree with the bolded part. I think OL help would work wonders. The OL was a little bit better in 2021 and for the most part we weren't talking about Mooney not being able to get open. The Bears just played Robinson, who has never been a great separator and a bunch of tiny guys who took a while to get open when teams were physical with them.

 

I think 2023 Claypool will be better than 2021 Robinson at getting open. And Mooney with his speed, will get open if you give Fields time, as he has in the past. I just think the OL he put together isn't to the level where you're good with almost no help to the weapons. If he was adding elite level play at C, LG and RT, then Claypool, Mooney, Rice is probably fine. But on paper that is a middle of the road OL, at best and still a bottom 1/3 group of weapons.

Less about time, it may also be the ability to run 3-4 receiver routes more often. The Bears OL+TE+RB+FB I think often gave "enough" time which is partially why ESPNs Pass Rush win rate was being fooled all season. It's the right route tree combo with the right time that has to hit.

 

This is mostly a theory, but I think a reasonable one and that I may dig in with the PFF data later.

 

But hopefully Fields will be on the Jalen Hurts progression. That may be largely possible even without a AJ Brown type add.