With a 3-5 record, it’s about time that a Chicago Bears 2020 mock offseason feels appropriate. This team is not going anywhere in 2019. They need a serious shuffling of the deck in regards to their roster. Especially on the offensive side of the ball where they are still terrible despite everything head coach Matt Nagy and his staff have tried to do. GM Ryan Pace will almost certainly be under the gun to make something happen what with his recent drafts losing their luster by the day.
This upcoming spring will likely be the most important of his tenure, and the challenge looks daunting. No 1st round pick thanks to the Khalil Mack trade. Limited cap space for free agency. If he wants to get this team back on track, he’ll have to get pretty creative. This could mean some difficult decisions lay ahead. Here is a complete rundown of what the Bears can do for their roster in the coming months.
Chicago Bears 2020 mock offseason begins
Coaching changes:
Mark Helfrich fired as o-coordinator and replaced by Jay Gruden
It’s clear that whatever offense Nagy wants to run isn’t working. Helfrich couldn’t get away from his college background and only after incorporating more of a West Coast approach with I-formation did things get even a little better. It’s time the Bears brought in somebody with a deeper background in that department. Jay Gruden not only has a history as a head coach, he was also a successful offensive coordinator in Cincinnati. One who can take over play calling duties from Nagy if it becomes necessary.
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Cuts:
Kyle Long – $8.1 million
This one isn’t much of a surprise. Long has clearly declined physically as injuries have mounted over the past several years. He landed on IR for the fourth-straight season. The Bears have stayed patient but the time has come to move on.
Prince Amukamara – $8 million
Amukamara still has his moments in coverage but the fact is he’s becoming too expensive for the Bears to keep around at his age. Especially with more pressing issues elsewhere on the roster. They need that significant cap bump they’d get from releasing him.
Mike Davis – $3 million (before the compensatory deadline)
This one is hardly a surprise. Davis has 18 total touches through half of 2019 and it doesn’t figure to get much better. They cut him before the Week 10 deadline, allowing them to recoup a compensatory 4th round pick for the loss of Adrian Amos.
Adam Shaheen – $1.27 million
What needs to be said? The 2nd round pick has done virtually nothing in 2019 as an offensive weapon, which falls close in line with his entire career. It’s time to cut the cord on that disappointment.
Remaining cap space: $32.33 million (with $16 million rollover)
Trades:
Tarik Cohen to the Chiefs for a 3rd round pick
It’s become clear that there is a limit to Cohen’s usage. He’s one of the best punt returners in the league and can be an offensive weapon in certain situations. However, he continues to suffer from concentration lapses and his rookie deal is entering its final year. The Bears decide to ship him off to a team that would love his skillset in exchange for a solid draft pick.
Leonard Floyd to the Dolphins for a 5th round pick
Floyd isn’t a terrible player. He’s a good run defender and reliable in coverage too. However, he’s a mediocre pass rusher and the Bears need somebody who can get to the quarterback opposite Khalil Mack. Miami is swimming in cap space and they run a defense has would like a jack-of-all-trades type of talent like Floyd who can do a bit of everything. With two 5th rounders at their disposal, this is an easy deal for them.
Trey Burton to the Cardinals for a conditional 7th round pick in 2021
This is less about getting a draft pick and more about finding a team the Bears can dump Burton’s salary on. The Cardinals have a lot of space and they like versatile pass-catching weapons. They might feel they can do something with Burton who would probably do better getting out of Chicago.
Remaining cap space: $51.335 million
Re-signings:
Danny Trevathan – 2-year deal for $14 million
Nothing about this year has shown that Trevathan is declining. He’s still gobbling up tackles and making his share of big plays as a blitzer and in coverage. Bringing him back on a minor extension is the smart play.
Sherrick McManis – 1-year deal for $1.5 million
Another year, another reminder that McManis remains the best special teams player on the roster for the Bears. He may be getting up there in age, but he’s worth keeping around for one more season.
Nick Williams – 2-year deal for $4 million
The journeyman defensive tackle was a no-name when he joined the Bears but has carved himself a nice little role as a rotational defensive end. He gets a nice pay bump here along with a little long-term security.
Roy Robertson-Harris – 1-year deal for $3.278 million (2nd round tender)
The Bears should be able to retain Robertson-Harris for one more year at a favorable price. By placing a 2nd round tender on him they ensure that any team who wishes to sign him must give them a 2nd round pick in exchange.
Rashaad Coward – $1-year deal for $2.144 million (Original tender)
Coward has done fairly well with his first opportunity starting at guard. Not bad for a former undrafted defensive lineman. He has work to do still but he’s done enough to warrant consideration at least as a primary backup.
J.P. Holtz – 1-year $585,000 (Exclusive rights tender)
This guy was a blip on the radar when the Bears got him but they’ve quickly found a nice role for him. He’s an effective lead blocker at fullback and also has some pass-catching ability.
Patrick Scales – 2-year deal for $1.8 million
The veteran long snapper remains steady in his old position. He’s done nothing to indicate he deserves to lose his spot so the team keeps him on a short-term deal with a minor pay raise.
Remaining cap space: $34.928 million
Free agency:
Teddy Bridgewater – 4-year deal for $96 million
This is the big move the Bears have to make. Bridgewater showed he has starter qualities in his relief of Drew Brees for the Saints. He’s 26-years old and still has plenty of good football ahead of him. He’s not flashy but he’s smart, accurate, makes good decisions, and is widely hailed for his leadership ability. Expect a deal similar to the one Jacksonville gave Nick Foles where they structured the contract to have a lower cap hit in the first year ($13 million in this case).
Whitney Mercilus – 3-year deal for $21 million
The Bears need a pass rusher across from Mack who is reliable and can get to the QB. Mercilus has done this consistently throughout his career in Houston across from J.J. Watt. He’s on course to have 11 sacks in 2019 but is getting into his 30s. So this deal has an element of risk but he’s shown no signs of slowing down. It’s a shorter-term deal that is worth the potential payoff.
Tre Boston – 1-year deal for $3 million
It’s never been clear why Boston can’t stick with a team long-term. What is know is he’s an athletic and instinctive safety who is reliable in most aspects, if not necessarily a star. As the Bears reshuffle their defensive roster, he can be another cheap rental like Clinton-Dix was.
Maurice Canady – 1-year deal for $1.5 million
Chuck Pagano likes his cornerbacks long and athletic. Canady (6’1) has shown in Baltimore that he is both. He’s had a nice 2019 after a slower start to his career but his odds of sticking there are remote. He’ll want to go someplace he can compete for a starting job. With Amukamara out of the picture, Chicago makes sense.
Ryan Griffin – 1-year deal for $1.4 million
A reshuffling of the Bears’ tight end room is underway. Griffin is not the primary solution. He’s a savvy veteran with good size who has proven to be a legitimate red zone threat with three touchdowns already this year.
Greg Robinson – 1-year deal for $1 million
The former #2 overall pick hasn’t lived up to the hype, but he still has value in the NFL as a potential swing tackle. He’s big, athletic, and has lots of starting experience. Maybe Harry Hiestand can get something out of him.
Remaining cap space: $8.028 million
The Draft:
2nd round – Julian Okwara, EDGE, Notre Dame
Notre Dame is always reliable at producing NFL quality defenders and Okwara is proving to be another in that long line. He’s got 19.5 sacks in his past two years with a few games still to play. The kid is big, long, athletic and proven at hunting quarterbacks.
2nd round (via OAK) – Brycen Hopkins, TE, Purdue
The Bears have desperately searched for their weapon at tight end. Shaheen was a bust. This time they go with somebody who is a bit more proven against top competition. Hopkins has the 6’5 frame with a bigger body but runs well and has a great pair of hands. He knows how to get himself open.
3rd round (via KC) – Ben Bredeson, OG, Michigan
Offensive line play has not been what the Bears hoped, so finding ways to bolster it will be a priority. Bredeson brings a balanced toolbox to the table with good size and mobility along with strength and tenacity.
4th round (comp) – Keith Washington, CB, West Virginia
Another long and athletic cornerback who has good coverage qualities and a nose for the football. He may not start immediately but this is somebody who can develop into that role in a short time.
5th round (via MIA) – Nate Stanley, QB, Iowa
Bridgewater may be the guy moving forward but don’t expect the Bears to go this draft without getting a QB in some capacity. Stanley is a big, strong kid with a good arm who has shown he can be at least a solid game manager.
5th round – Chauncey Rivers, DE, Mississippi State
The loss of Akiem Hicks proved that the Bears are vulnerable along the defensive line. They must continue to keep it well-fed with young talent. Rivers fits their mold of big, strong, and deceptively quick.
5th round (via PHI) – Jordan Fuller, S, Ohio State
Ohio State builds them big and athletic. Fuller is definitely that type at 6’2. He can drop down in the box but is also steady in coverage.
5th round (via OAK) – Charlies Heck, OT, North Carolina
A giant offensive tackle with a long reach who has sharpened his edge against some of the best pass rushers in college football.
6th round – Eno Benjamin, RB, Arizona State
A versatile running back who has enough strength to handle multiple carries and is capable of being a receiving threat out of the backfield.
7th round – Antoine Brooks, ILB, Maryland
Undersized for his position (5’11) but totally unafraid to play physical and is particularly effective when dropped into coverage.
