Chicago Bears Offseason Thread (the tank must payoff)

[JeffH]

Tyree Wilson is the guy I wonder if the Bears might become infatuated with. How far down can you move and be assured of getting him? Probably not more than 4.

[pitchcs]

I don't want them trading past 2, IMO.

 

Let's say they're lucky enough to sign Payne, Anderson becomes the no-brainer to put next to him. Follow up with a 1 technique via FA/draft and 3/4th of that line is solid. Depth is improved as well with Jones, etc. going further down the depth chart.

 

Similar to the Oline, improve RT and the interior and you can hide B. Jones a little more with help.

 

It's a multi-year process and the resources and other needs are greater than LT and a #1 WR.

 

DL is their #1 of many weaknesses...

Obviously Anderson is a terrific prospect, but it's also supposed a deep DE class, with plenty of early round talent. No saying how Poles will grade Anderson or Carter next to the other DL who will be available.

 

But yea, if they stay at 1 or 2 to ensure their top choice, I won't be upset. I'd love to pickup that extra 2024 FRP, but theres no guarantee such opportunities will even present themselves.

 

I'd be pretty upset if they stay at #1

[UMFan83]

 

horsefeathers give me Keenan Allen ASAP

[minnesotacubsfan]

I don't want them trading past 2, IMO.

 

Let's say they're lucky enough to sign Payne, Anderson becomes the no-brainer to put next to him. Follow up with a 1 technique via FA/draft and 3/4th of that line is solid. Depth is improved as well with Jones, etc. going further down the depth chart.

 

Similar to the Oline, improve RT and the interior and you can hide B. Jones a little more with help.

 

It's a multi-year process and the resources and other needs are greater than LT and a #1 WR.

 

DL is their #1 of many weaknesses...

Obviously Anderson is a terrific prospect, but it's also supposed a deep DE class, with plenty of early round talent. No saying how Poles will grade Anderson or Carter next to the other DL who will be available.

 

But yea, if they stay at 1 or 2 to ensure their top choice, I won't be upset. I'd love to pickup that extra 2024 FRP, but theres no guarantee such opportunities will even present themselves.

 

I'd be pretty upset if they stay at #1

If they stay at 1 I'd assume it's because they didn't get any decent trade offers

[WrigleyField 22]

Obviously Anderson is a terrific prospect, but it's also supposed a deep DE class, with plenty of early round talent. No saying how Poles will grade Anderson or Carter next to the other DL who will be available.

 

But yea, if they stay at 1 or 2 to ensure their top choice, I won't be upset. I'd love to pickup that extra 2024 FRP, but theres no guarantee such opportunities will even present themselves.

 

I'd be pretty upset if they stay at #1

If they stay at 1 I'd assume it's because they didn't get any decent trade offers

Yea I'd really only be annoyed if they stay at one a MN D there's a really good trade package made for like #3. Would make me think a good trade was there for taking. But even then it's really hard for me to weigh the relative impact of Anderson/Carter to whoevers in the next tier of possible picks.

[raw]

I don't want them trading past 2, IMO.

 

Let's say they're lucky enough to sign Payne, Anderson becomes the no-brainer to put next to him. Follow up with a 1 technique via FA/draft and 3/4th of that line is solid. Depth is improved as well with Jones, etc. going further down the depth chart.

 

Similar to the Oline, improve RT and the interior and you can hide B. Jones a little more with help.

 

It's a multi-year process and the resources and other needs are greater than LT and a #1 WR.

 

DL is their #1 of many weaknesses...

Obviously Anderson is a terrific prospect, but it's also supposed a deep DE class, with plenty of early round talent. No saying how Poles will grade Anderson or Carter next to the other DL who will be available.

 

But yea, if they stay at 1 or 2 to ensure their top choice, I won't be upset. I'd love to pickup that extra 2024 FRP, but theres no guarantee such opportunities will even present themselves.

 

Yeah, I think I'm the opposite of UK. I think Anderson is the better prospect of the 2, but I almost prefer Carter based on how good this DE class is. Like just completely get a dominant potential interior w/ Payne and Carter. DE, you can hit in the 2nd (or 1st pick of the 3rd) and I like quite a few players there. Might not get a true stud, but if you do everything else right, you can go into 2024 and get a top edge rusher then and the guy you pick this year is a solid starter or depth. Plus, they should be adding a DE in free agency as well.

[minnesotacubsfan]

I don't want them trading past 2, IMO.

 

Let's say they're lucky enough to sign Payne, Anderson becomes the no-brainer to put next to him. Follow up with a 1 technique via FA/draft and 3/4th of that line is solid. Depth is improved as well with Jones, etc. going further down the depth chart.

 

Similar to the Oline, improve RT and the interior and you can hide B. Jones a little more with help.

 

It's a multi-year process and the resources and other needs are greater than LT and a #1 WR.

 

DL is their #1 of many weaknesses...

Obviously Anderson is a terrific prospect, but it's also supposed a deep DE class, with plenty of early round talent. No saying how Poles will grade Anderson or Carter next to the other DL who will be available.

 

But yea, if they stay at 1 or 2 to ensure their top choice, I won't be upset. I'd love to pickup that extra 2024 FRP, but theres no guarantee such opportunities will even present themselves.

 

Yeah, I think I'm the opposite of UK. I think Anderson is the better prospect of the 2, but I almost prefer Carter based on how good this DE class is. Like just completely get a dominant potential interior w/ Payne and Carter. DE, you can hit in the 2nd (or 1st pick of the 3rd) and I like quite a few players there. Might not get a true stud, but if you do everything else right, you can go into 2024 and get a top edge rusher then and the guy you pick this year is a solid starter or depth. Plus, they should be adding a DE in free agency as well.

Yea, 2006 Bears did it with Tommie and a bunch of good/decent ends, no true super hero

[raw]

Obviously Anderson is a terrific prospect, but it's also supposed a deep DE class, with plenty of early round talent. No saying how Poles will grade Anderson or Carter next to the other DL who will be available.

 

But yea, if they stay at 1 or 2 to ensure their top choice, I won't be upset. I'd love to pickup that extra 2024 FRP, but theres no guarantee such opportunities will even present themselves.

 

Yeah, I think I'm the opposite of UK. I think Anderson is the better prospect of the 2, but I almost prefer Carter based on how good this DE class is. Like just completely get a dominant potential interior w/ Payne and Carter. DE, you can hit in the 2nd (or 1st pick of the 3rd) and I like quite a few players there. Might not get a true stud, but if you do everything else right, you can go into 2024 and get a top edge rusher then and the guy you pick this year is a solid starter or depth. Plus, they should be adding a DE in free agency as well.

Yea, 2006 Bears did it with Tommie and a bunch of good/decent ends, no true super hero

 

Yep, and it's more or less the same scheme as Lovie's in 2006. Plus, Eberflus followed a similar pattern in Indianapolis as well. Spent big on getting his 3T, then filled DE with decent 5-8 sack upside guys and swings on Day 2 picks. A little disturbing that the Colts seemed, for the most part, to be pretty mediocre at picking DEs. None of their draft picks under Flus really even lived up to the 2nd or 3rd round picks used on them.

[UMFan83]

 

I'm guessing this is Hester not making the HOF because they are supposed to announce today, but who knows.

[minnesotacubsfan]

 

I'm guessing this is Hester not making the HOF because they are supposed to announce today, but who knows.

 

probably, but also McKenna died yesterday

[David]

 

I'm guessing this is Hester not making the HOF because they are supposed to announce today, but who knows.

 

probably, but also McKenna died yesterday

 

i had to look up who the hell this was. a minority owner? RIP to that guy and all but nobody cares lol.

[minnesotacubsfan]

 

I'm guessing this is Hester not making the HOF because they are supposed to announce today, but who knows.

 

probably, but also McKenna died yesterday

 

i had to look up who the hell this was. a minority owner? RIP to that guy and all but nobody cares lol.

He was my uncle

[minnesotacubsfan]

Just kidding lol

 

 

I did have the thought that Virginia died from that tweet. But the McKenna thing came up on my apple newsfeed yesterday as weird as that is. Never heard of him either

[jersey cubs fan]

Just kidding lol

 

 

You old so and so

[UMFan83]

[pitchcs]

 

Tied with an assistant athletic trainer.

[TarzanJoeWallis]

Just kidding lol

 

 

I did have the thought that Virginia died from that tweet. But the McKenna thing came up on my apple newsfeed yesterday as weird as that is. Never heard of him either

I’m probably showing my age here, but I’m surprised posters on a Cubs message board have not heard of Andrew McKenna. He was a past chairman of the Cubs. He would be in the booth sometimes with Harry. Granted, that was a long time ago, so if you are under 50 you probably wouldn’t remember him. I feel old. :-)

[WrigleyField 22]

Objectively a good choice by Fields here, but hilarious nonetheless

 

[raw]

Alright, I wanted to try a mock offseason as well and since it's officially the offseason...... I tried to do a mix of moves I would do, but also moves I project Poles could do. I tried to get guys I know would be fits based on a number of different factors, some that could just be in my head.

 

Cuts:

Cody Whitehair, G

He's not terrible, but not worth 14.1M cap hit. I pre June 1 cut him, which only saves 5.8M instead of 9.9M post June 1, but the Bears can afford to carry the dead money and it doesn't allow dead cap to linger into next year when they don't need to do that.

 

Justin Jones, DT

He's not terrible either. But I'm going to hit the DT position pretty hard, which would make him a depth player. At 7.4M, he makes too much to be depth. So, save 4.9M by letting him go.

 

Al-Quadin Muhammad, DE

He is terrible. Almost 4M savings (3.96) from cutting him. 500K dead, seems like a no brainer.

 

This gives the Bears right around 109M in cap space.

 

Extensions:

Cole Kmet, TE- 4 years, 55M, 30M guaranteed, 14M signing bonus

Darnell Mooney, WR- 4 years, 70M, 32M guaranteed, 13.5 signing bonus

 

Re-signings:

Deandre Houston-Carson, S- 2 years, 4.3M, 2.3M guaranteed

Khari Blasingame, FB - 1 year, 1.195M

Darryton Evans, RB- RFA 1-year, 1.1M

Josh Blackwell, CB- ERFA tender, 875,000

 

I'm not bringing back very many from the back end of the roster. The Bears CAN and SHOULD get better depth at the end of the 53.

 

Free Agent Signings

Dre'Mont Jones, DT- Denver 4 years, 58Mil, 37.5M guaranteed

Ideal player I think Poles will go for. Ascending player, played a career high in snaps in 2022 and put up career high numbers across the board. Goes from 3-4 DE to 4-3 three-technique

 

TJ Edwards, LB- Philadelphia 3 years, 40.5Mil, 25M guaranteed

Makes a lot of sense. Chicago area player. UDFA signed by Cunningham's Eagles. Former running mate and mentor of Jack Sanborn at Wisconsin.

 

Isaac Seumalo, G, Philadelphia 3 years, 33Mil, 22M guaranteed

Don't love that he turns 30 mid season in 2023, but doesn't have a ton of wear and tear (I say this even though he's had literal muscle tears) coming off just his 2nd season of more than 600 snaps and 1st since 2019. Lot of tread on the tires and playing lights out football since November. 0 sacks allowed, great run blocker last 2 months.

 

Andre Dillard, T/G, Philadelphia 2 years, 11.5M, 6.5M guaranteed

Another Eagle with little wear and tear. Former 1st round pick with 700 snaps in 4 years. Has been solid when he's played, but got hurt and couldn't get his job back on an absolutely loaded OL. He takes a small deal in hopes for a starting job and big future payday.

 

DJ Chark, WR, Detroit 2 years, 25Mil, 12.5M guaranteed

This is a guy I've always wanted on the Bears since before he was drafted. Not a game-changer, but a big play option that fits in with Fields desire to throw the ball down the field. Took a 1-year deal last year coming off ACL tear, didn't really earn a big contract so basically takes a 1-year with an option. Plays well enough, gets a big deal. If he doesn't, goes elsewhere and tries to earn a multi-year at still just 27.

 

Charles Omenihu, DE, San Francisco 2 years, 17.5M, 11.5M guaranteed

Unsure about him after the suspected DV arrest before the NFCC. But research shows he had interest from both the Chiefs (Poles) and Colts (Eberflus) coming out in 2019. He did play in Houston under Lovie in the same D, but then was traded to SF. So there may be fit questions here? 280lbs and Flus seems to like his DEs around 260, but he also has shown to like guys that can potential move inside as well.

 

Azeez Al-Shaair, LB, San Francisco 2 years, 11.5Mil, 5.5M guaranteed

Another 49er. Another ascending player. 3rd LB for a team that has 2 top 10 off-ball LBs. Has had injuries, but also has played every spot. Played SAM in SF, but I'd play him at the Will and move Sanborn to SAM. Plenty of snaps to be had between both in the nickel, with Edwards, depending on if true pass downs or you want some run flexibility.

 

Greg Gaines, DT, LA Rams 2 years, 11M, 5.5M guaranteed

Jones is a great interior pass rusher, but he's not much of a run defender. Gaines has played 3-4DE as well, but would fit as 4-3 NT. Stops the run, rushes the passer just enough to not have to come off the field on passing downs. Solid hedge if you trade down and miss out on Jalen Carter.

 

Emmanuel Moseley, CB, San Francisco 1 year, 4.75M

Good #2 type CB who is worth a much bigger contract than this, but tore his ACL in October. May be more interested in a 1-year prove it on a contender, but maybe he takes a clear spot to start on a young, improving team.

 

Raheem Mostert, RB, Miami 1 year, 2.35M

I don't LOVE this move. He is a 31 year old RB, but this is a move based on speed. His ability to break the long run is what I want paired with Fields. And I don't think any of the teams that have Barkley, Jacobs, or Pollard are going to let them walk. Sanders and Singletary don't really move the speed needle and would require multiple years and keep Herbert as a backup. Herbert was the most efficient RB in the league in 22 and he needs a shot as the lead back.

 

Poles wants to build thru the draft, but also has to spend money. This gives them only long-term commitments on the OL and ever important 3T and Mike LB positions. Every other signing is 1 or 2 years, fit a very specific role, and most give you potential as long-term answers if they perform well in 2023

 

Draft:

 

I'm going to do the Colts trade as well. Just makes too much sense. But I don't think the Colts give up their 1st 3 picks of this draft to do it or multiple picks next year. So, Colts get #1 pick, Bears get #4 pick, #35 pick 2023 and 2024 1st round pick.

 

1.4- Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia

I've heard a lot of "he's the ideal 3-tech" in this defense, but I like him better as a 1T and part of a potentially dominant middle of the defense.

 

2.35- John Michael Schmitz, C, Minnesota

I don't love him athletically, but damn if he doesn't masterfully execute the reach blocks Getsy's offense will require him to make. Also has ties as a Chicago area guy, who was coached at Minnesota by an OL coach Getsy worked closely with at Mississippi State. And was a standout at the Senior Bowl on the team coached by Getsy.

 

2.54- Will McDonald, DE, Iowa State

IDK if he will be on the board still, hearing whispers he could go end of Day 1, but I really like him. Another Senior Bowl guy coached by Getsy. Smaller than typical Eberflus DEs, but has the length and speed. Dominique Robinson was also not quite as big as Flus likes, but was his 1st draft pick at DE as a HC.

 

3.64 Jayden Reed, WR, Michigan State

Another Senior Bowl guy, this one NOT coached by Getsy, but a guy who showed speed, hands, route running and a release package that would be desirable in the offense. Should compete for slot reps early in his career.

 

4.103 Wanya Morris, OT, Oklahoma

Another guy I think could be gone by this pick, but if the Bears liked Braxton Jones, they should love Morris. Exact same height, arm length and hand size as Jones. Same level athlete. Biggest difference is Morris was a 5 star recruit instead of a small school guy. Morris also has a bit more weight and much better anchor than Braxton last year. Never lived up to his billing for various reasons (transfer, coaching changes), but better pro than college player, IMO. Coached him at Senior Bowl as well. Also shares a name with a member of Boyz II Men.

 

4.134 Roschon Johnson, RB Texas

Another Senior Bowl guy, but on the opposite squad. One of my draft crushes. Ultimate team player that moved from QB to RB and took a backseat to the top RB in this class. Will lead block, pass block, can catch, run betweeen the tackles, and is a little faster than

 

5.137 Dorian Williams, LB Tulane

Williams is depth at WILL and special teams, good speed and coverage potential. Another American team Senior Bowl member.

 

5.150 Will Mallory, TE Miami

Didn't intend to just recreate the American Senior Bowl roster with the draft, but a lot of good fits just happen to have been there and on the board. LOL. Not the biggest or best blocker, but very willing and has a 2nd gear to get up the seam in a hurry, which Kmet lacks.

 

7.220 Rejzohn Wright, CB Oregon St

In reality, I think this spot will go to the fastest CB the Bears can find. KC drafted a top 5 speed guy in the draft every year Poles was there. They drafted Velus last year. Wright probably won't be top 5 fast, but he is a big CB. He may go higher than this as well, but he was on the board here in my mock and was on Last Chance U, so one of the few late guys I've watched.

[raw]

QB- Fields, Siemien, UDFA QB?

RB- Herbert, Mostert, Johnson, Evans/Ebner

FB- Blasingame

WR- Mooney, Reed

WR- Claypool, St. Brown

WR- Chark, Jones Jr

TE- Kmet, Chase Allen, Tonges, Mallory

LT- B Jones, Diesch/Borom

*LG- Jenkins, Leatherwood

C- Schmitz, Patrick

*RG- Seumalo, J Carter

RT- Dillard, Morris

 

*Note- kept Seumalo at the RG position he's played in Philly and made an all Eagles right side and moved Jenkins to left guard.

 

DE- Omenihu, Robinson

3T- Jones, UDFA or late signing

NT- Carter, Gaines

DE- Gipson, McDonald

WLB- Al-Shaair, Dorian Williams

MLB- Edwards

SLB- Sanborn, Demarcus Gates, Weatherford

CB- Johnson, Jaylon Jones

CB- Moseley, Wright

CB- Gordon, Blackwell

SS- Brisker, DHC

FS- Jackson, Hicks

[JeffH]

I like it.

 

Maybe Risner instead of Seumalo?

 

Not much interest in Chark.

 

Maybe use one of the second rounders on one of the top tight ends in the draft?

 

If Carter's gone at 4, who do you like? Maybe Wilson from Texas Tech?

[WrigleyField 22]

Nice job raw. And all new names I think from my mock. So gives a lot of variety against that plan.

 

Not sure I agree with the logic about Seumalo since his light tread has been injury driven. Age and history of injuries has me worried there. Think I'd rather throw that allocation at a OT and if Dillard is still a guy who can swing inside and out you could take a depth approach at LG.

 

Definitely don't think you need to cut any of the guys you did to make the signings realistic. So I'm still of the mind, those guys come back competing for jobs and are July cuts. Unless you're trying to "do right" by a guy and releasing him early while the FA market is hot, there's little other reason to process those cuts early.

[WrigleyField 22]

Definitely with your 3T backup being a UDFA right now, I'd say, might as well not cut Justin Jones. Or find another bit FA player. But I don't see that spot as "just" a depth role. It's a spot they're gonna rotate bodies through - he could see 40% of D snaps.

[raw]

I like it.

 

Maybe Risner instead of Seumalo?

 

Not much interest in Chark.

 

Maybe use one of the second rounders on one of the top tight ends in the draft?

 

If Carter's gone at 4, who do you like? Maybe Wilson from Texas Tech?

 

Yeah, I had Risner down and changed it to Seumalo. I think Risner's contract projections are way off (showing like 7M AAV, when I think he'll get double digits or close to it). But Risner is a guy I've always liked coming out of the draft. Better pass blocker than run blocker, which is exactly what the Bears need, honestly. Seumalo is good at both, but I worry about his injury history and age (30).

 

I'm a big Chark fan. Not really sure how he fits, because he's not a slot and neither are Claypool or Mooney on a full-time basis. But I don't really want the Bears to commit to a long-term deal for a WR in a bad FA class. They potentially have to pay Mooney and Claypool so you can't have 3 WRs making 12-18Mil each, and if you sign a FA to a long-term deal, you're basically going to have to pick between Mooney and Claypool. Thought about a 1-year deal for Parris Campbell as well, who's more of a slot guy, but also not that good. Maybe he takes a 1-year deal with only 1 year of production, but he's projected right now for 3-years, which is too rich for my blood.

 

As for the #4 pick, I prefer Anderson to Carter honestly as a prospect, but I prefer the DE depth over the DT depth. If they can't get Carter or Anderson, I'd probably look to trade back again. I like Wilson, but don't LOVE him top 5 or top 10 for that matter. Myles Murphy at least has 10 sack potential and is a super athlete, though stats don't back up his talent. If they trade back with say, Carolina at 9, I'd probably be more apt to take a CB like Devon Weatherspoon or Peter Skoronski for the OL. IDK if Skoronski at G with Jenkins back to OT would be an option, but I think he's a guard. Paris Johnson would be interesting. I do think he has star LT potential, but remains to be seen if the Bears move Braxton from LT. So, it really becomes a dilemma if Carter/Anderson are off the board. Bears probably would have to reach for a guy.

[raw]

Definitely with your 3T backup being a UDFA right now, I'd say, might as well not cut Justin Jones. Or find another bit FA player. But I don't see that spot as "just" a depth role. It's a spot they're gonna rotate bodies through - he could see 40% of D snaps.

 

Yeah, I didn't think that through until the depth chart. LOL. They do have 3 other guys on futures deals or guys that were added in the Week 18 tank effort that could fill a spot.