Five off-season fixes: Chicago Bears
With Super Bowl LI over, it’s time to turn our attention to the off-season. In this series, I’ll take a look at each of the teams who finished at the bottom of their division and prescribe five off-season fixes that should get them back in the mix next season. So what do the NFC North’s Chicago Bears need to do?
The Bears are in rebuilding mode under head coach John Fox, and have had two strong drafts under general manager Ryan Pace. In an NFC North division that has been close over the past few years, Chicago are slowly building a young team through the draft, and could be contenders this year if they make these five off-season fixes:
- Pursue Jimmy Garoppolo
Chicago needs a quarterback. Jay Cutler’s struggles are well documented, and backups Brian Hoyer and Matt Barkley aren’t starters. Garoppolo played at Eastern Illinois and has spent the past couple of years learning from Tom Brady, Josh McDaniels, and Bill Belichick in New England. Garoppolo looks better than Cutler despite seeing limited action. Cutting or trading Cutler for cap room makes sense. If the Bears acquire Garoppolo, it might cost them the third overall pick, but they will have a young franchise passer. Alternatively, the Bears could be in play for Tony Romo, who also played at Eastern Illinois. If they can’t secure either Garoppolo or Romo, expect them to draft North Carolina’s Mitch Trubisky third overall.
2. Re-sign Alshon Jeffery
Whoever ends up at quarterback, they will need Jeffery, who is easily Chicago’s best offensive player when healthy. He is a true number one receiver, and letting Jeffery go would be a huge mistake, especially if the Bears obtain Garoppolo or Romo. With almost $60 million in cap space (per Sportrac), signing Jeffery to a new contract without resorting to the franchise tag again is easily achievable. Assuming Jeffery wants to stay of course.
3. Get some difference makers
No matter how Chicago gets a new signal caller, it will likely cost them their first rounder. They have other needs, and will have to turn to their second or third round picks to get them. The Bears need to address both the secondary and the offensive line. This is a deep draft for defensive backs, meaning Pace should be able to find a young starting corner in the second round, perhaps LSU’s Tre’Davious White or Florida’s Quincy Wilson. Free agency could also be an option, with plenty of cap space available. Pursuing a player like Sam Shields, who was recently cut by Green Bay, likely wouldn’t cost the Bears too much. Alternatively, promising young veterans like Houston’s A.J. Bouye could also hit the market.
4. Draft some young weapons
If the Bears do acquire Garoppolo or Romo, or even draft Trubisky, they should find some young receivers or tight ends to pair with their new quarterback. Chicago could hope that Michigan tight end Jake Butt drops to the second or third round due to injury concerns. Butt tore his ACL in the Orange Bowl. If Butt is off the board, then the Bears could get a receiver like Virginia Tech’s Isaiah Ford or Eastern Washington’s Cooper Kupp to pair with Jeffery, running back Jordan Howard, and a young quarterback.
5. Address the offensive line
The free agent market for linemen should be good this season, and Chicago will need to protect their new quarterback (especially if he has cost them a first rounder). There’s a good chance that veterans like Cowboys guard Ronald Leary, Bengals guard Kevin Zeitler or tackle Andrew Whitworth could be allowed to test the market having been replaced by younger players. With a good amount of cap space available, the Bears should pursue at least one veteran lineman. If not, they could always draft a young lineman in the second or third rounds, where players like Western Kentucky guard Forrest Lamp or Utah tackle Garrett Bolles could still be available.
