Every Chicago Bears 2020 mock offseason up to this point has focused on trying to be surgical with the roster. This looks like a team that can be really good. All it needs is the right tweak here or there and they would be right back in the mix. However, after watching things play out this past season, it’s become apparent that the changes might have to go deeper. That what happened in 2018 may have been a peak moment rather than the start of an ascent.
So this begs the question. Can the organization pull a significant reboot at the top and still find a way to be competitive right away? The answer is yes. It will just depend on whether they can get the right men in charge. That means at GM, head coach and quarterback. You read that right. No more messing around. The Bears go for the clean sweep this time. Are they able to do something significant?
Chicago Bears 2020 mock offseason goes deep
Front office and Coaching staff changes:
GM Ryan Pace fired and replaced by George Paton
A lot of people are still defending Pace. One can understand why. He’s built a talented roster in several areas and gotten the Bears out of the cellar. However, with just one winning season in five years and his biggest gamble in quarterback Mitch Trubisky being a colossal misfire, the man just hasn’t done enough to follow through on his goals of creating a consistent contender.
Subscribe to the BFR Youtube channel and ride shotgun with Dave and Ficky as they break down Bears football like nobody else.
Paton is a name who has remained hot in the community of GM candidates for the past few years. He’s been the right hand man of Minnesota Vikings GM Rick Spielman since 2012. During that time the organization has enjoyed considerable success at building a talented roster including names like Harrison Smith, Xavier Rhodes, Anthony Barr, Danielle Hunter, Stefon Diggs, and Dalvin Cook.
What many don’t know is Paton actually got his start with the Bears in the late 1990s as a college and pro scout, rising to become their assistant director of pro personnel in 2000.
Head coach Matt Nagy fired and replaced by Ron Rivera
If Pace is gone, one has to bet that the coach he hired is out too. Matt Nagy is a motivational master but his lack of preparation and inability to adjust and elevate the offense continue to hold the team back. Ron Rivera may not be the offensive “specialist” Nagy supposedly is, but he’s proven he is a damn good head coach after a run of success in Carolina that included four division titles and a Super Bowl appearance.
He also has a track record of knowing how to properly develop quarterbacks. His work with Cam Newton speaks to that. The guy has Bears blood in his veins. If anybody understands what it takes to win in this town, he does.
Rob Chudzinski named as new offensive coordinator
Rivera has had a working relationship with Chudzinski going back years. They first met in 2009 when they were both assistants with the San Diego Chargers. When the former became head coach in Carolina, he brought the latter with him. Chudzinski was named offensive coordinator and the Panthers enjoyed immediate success. They finished 5th in points scored and 7th in yard their first season with him at the helm. After just two years, he was hired as head coach in Cleveland.
Unfortunately, that didn’t last long. He was dismissed after just one season and went on to become offensive coordinator in Indianapolis. There he took an offense that was 24th in scoring in 2015 to 8th in 2016. His track record of success speaks for itself.
Cuts:
Kyle Long – $8.1 million saved
A treasured member of the locker room for several years, one wishes Long nothing but the best. However, his body has been ravaged by injuries dating back to 2016. He just isn’t the same player he once was. The Bears have to make a business decision here and seek to find somebody who can stay on the field.
Prince Amukamara – $8 million saved
This move is a combination of a need for cap space and basically a youth movement. Amukamara had a great 2018 season but he regressed considerably in 2019. He’s produced no interceptions and battled hamstring issues late in the year. On top of that, he’s also into his 30s.
Trey Burton (post-June 1st) – $2.8 million saved
Simply cutting Burton is not possible and trading him is also unlikely. That said, if the Bears were to use the post-June 1st cut designation as they did with Cody Parkey this year, they’d get a bit more palatable bit of cap space in return. It’s not the most ideal solution but it gets the disappointing tight end off the roster.
Adam Shaheen – $1.27 million saved
Sensing a theme yet? A true overhaul at tight end has begun. Getting the disaster that was Shaheen out the door is another crucial step in that process. “Baby Gronk” never became a thing as a questionable work ethic and health issues led to the former 2nd round pick floundering.
Ben Braunecker – $1.5 million saved
He’s been a decent special teamer over the past couple of seasons but Braunecker is paid too much just for that. He gives them little on offense and they need every bit of cap space they can get their hands on.
Salary cap – $27.75 million
Trades:
Mitch Trubisky to the Buccaneers for a 4th round pick
Whenever there are changes at the top, always expect the unexpected. Most would obviously assume Trubisky is safe for 2020 with Pace and Nagy in charge. Now that they’re out? So is he. Tampa Bay is about to enter unknown territory with their own QB in Jameis Winston as he becomes a free agent. This move gets them a little insurance for a cheap price. They have plenty of cap space to handle his $9 million cap hit.
Leonard Floyd to the Dolphins for a 5th round pick
Trubisky isn’t the only former 1st round pick who is out. Floyd is the next to go. Miami is overhauling their roster and is seeking options who fit what they like to do. The type of defense they run is in the New England style and that system likes players who are versatile. Floyd fits that mold for them. They’re swimming in cap space and have multiple 5th round picks. An easy deal.
Taylor Gabriel to the 49ers for a 6th round pick
This trade was presented in the last mock because it made a ton of sense and that hasn’t changed. The 49ers love having speed at wide receiver and Gabriel still has plenty of that. Add in the fact that he has a prior working relationship with head coach Kyle Shanahan from their time in Atlanta and there are few downsides to this move.
Salary cap – $49.89 million
Re-signings and Extensions:
Eddie Jackson – 5-year extension for $70 million
Lagging stats aside, Eddie Jackson remains a core fixture on the Bears defense after his second Pro Bowl nod. They have to make sure he stays put long-term. Making him one of the highest-paid safeties is a necessary step. The good news is an extension at least delays the heavy cap hit until 2021.
Allen Robinson – 4-year extension for $68 million
Nobody earned his next payday more than Robinson this season. Posting over 1,000 yards despite the inconsistent problems at quarterback is a testament to both his talent and work ethic. Players like that aren’t easy to find and are worth keeping even at high expense.
Danny Trevathan – 2-year deal for $12 million
This might shock some people but something to remember about Rivera is he’s not a coach prone to shying away from sticking with older veterans. He did so with Thomas Davis for several years in Carolina and was rewarded. He’ll see the value of keeping a guy like Trevathan in place at a reasonable cost.
Kevin Pierre-Louis – 1-year deal for $900,000
With Nick Kwiatkoski likely gone after his strong time as a starter in place of Trevathan, the Bears are smart to secure Pierre-Louis as their primary backup. He’s done more than enough to prove it’s a position he can handle.
Roy Robertson-Harris – 1-year tender for $2.144 million
While his fast start to 2019 hasn’t ended up panning out as hoped, Robertson-Harris still has value as a rotational defensive lineman for the Bears who can provide some pass rush assistance.
Nick Williams – 2-year deal for $4 million
The journeyman finally found a home in Chicago after several stops with other teams. His six sacks this season were a tremendous accomplishment for him and earns a nice little pay raise.
Rashaad Coward – 1-year tender for $2.144 million
Is he the unquestioned starter at right guard moving forward? No. However, Coward has done enough to prove his value as a backup both at guard and tackle. This is worth keeping.
J.P. Holtz – 1-year tender for $585,000
Teams always appreciate players who can do more than one thing. Holtz has proven his value not only as a decent reserve tight end but also as a capable blocker in the backfield. He deserves to stay.
Salary cap – $36.117 million
Free agency:
Teddy Bridgewater – 4-year deal for $84 million ($12 million cap hit in first year)
A vital key here is that Paton was part of the Vikings front office when they drafted Bridgewater in the 1st round back in 2014. So there is already a relationship in place and a belief that the quarterback is capable of being a quality NFL starter. Bridgewater proved he still has what it takes to win games with his success filling in for Drew Brees earlier this season. He’s still relatively young and known for his high character and leadership qualities.
Vonn Bell – 4-year deal for $28 million ($5 million cap hit in first year)
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix was solid this year for the Bears. That said, he didn’t fulfill the role they needed him to. His presence forced Jackson to play more of a strong safety role rather than his customary free safety spot. The arrival of Von Bell changes that. He’ll man the box as he’s done so well in New Orleans, allowing Jackson to patrol the back end.
Bruce Irvin – 1-year deal for $3.5 million
The Bears have gone too long without a credible pass rush threat opposite Khalil Mack. Irvin has 7.5 sacks in 2019 and also played with Mack for two years in Oakland. They know and trust each other. Getting a chance to reunite might be a nice little pick-me-up for the Bears star.
Tyler Eifert – 1-year deal for $2 million
The former 1st round pick has endured so many setbacks in his career from injuries, but he’s perservered and continues to be a credible threat in the passing game with over 400 yards for the Bengals this season. He’s worth a cheap flier to see if he can give the Bears something they lack.
Levine Toilolo – 1-year deal for $800,000
By contrast, Toilolo doesn’t offer much in the passing game but he’s quietly been one of the top blocking tight ends for a stretch of years in the NFL. The Bears haven’t had anybody like that either so it makes perfect sense to bring him in as well as they continue to overhaul the position.
Daryl Worley – 1-year deal for $4 million
With Amukamara out, the Bears have to reshuffle their cornerback position. Worley has a connection to Rivera from Carolina and has shown improvement over this past year in Oakland. He’s long and athletic, making for a good fit in the type of scheme Chuck Pagano likes to run.
Salary cap – $12.817 million
The Draft:
2nd round – Jalen Reagor, WR, TCU
The Bears have painfully lacked explosiveness on offense. With Gabriel gone, that ability is even more reserved. That is why drafting Reagor is an easy decision. He was a constant big play waiting to happen at TCU. Blazing speed is his calling card and he’s also a bit bigger than Gabriel was. Not to mention more dangerous after the catch.
2nd round (via OAK) – Lloyd Cushenberry, OL, LSU
A big reason that Joe Burrow won the Heisman for LSU was getting consistently good protection up front. His trusted center through all that was Cushenberry, a big and mobile blocker with a nasty temperament who can play any of the three interior positions on the offensive line.
4th round (via BAL) – Jonathan Greenard, EDGE, Florida
Irvin is only a temporary solution at edge rusher. The Bears must start working to stack the position with younger talent. Taylor had a solid two years at Louisville and Florida as a starter (16 total sacks). He’s a good athlete with length and quickness to go along with an understanding of fundamentals.
4th round (comp) – C.J. O’Grady, TE, Arkansas
Often a good way to know if a player has some skill is when he manages to produce in bad circumstances. O’Grady did that at Arkansas with nine touchdowns in 15 games for the Razorbacks. He’s a natural receiver who is actually a threat after the catch and isn’t afraid to block.
5th round – Lamar Jackson, CB, Nebraska
Not to be confused with the Ravens quarterback, this Jackson is a giant 6’3 cornerback for the Cornhuskers. True to form he plays very physical with receivers and is at his best in press coverage. Pagano will know exactly how to employ him.
5th round (via MIA) – Jordan Elliott, DL, Missouri
Elliott is another of those big defensive linemen who are deceptively quick. He has the power to hold up in the run game but is especially dangerous attacking up the field. He has 16.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks the past two years for the Tigers.
6th round – Mason Fine, QB, North Texas
He’s undersized (5’11) and doesn’t have an elite arm but there’s just something about him. Fine was ultra-productive in school with 87 touchdown passes in his three years as a starter. He’s smart, accurate, sees the field well, and can make a ton of plays with his feet.
6th round (via PHI) – Cole Van Lanen, OT, Wisconsin
One thing everybody knows is that Wisconsin will always produce credible offensive linemen. Van Lanen is no exception. He’s a big, hulking offensive tackle with tremendous ability as a run blocker. He isn’t the most nimble guy in the world but he makes due when required.
6th round (via SF) – Reggie Corbin, RB, Illinois
With Tarik Cohen’s future in question, the Bears should look to add more dynamic playmaking to their backfield. Reggie Corbin has averaged 6.4 yards per carry at Illinois and can get chunk gains whenever targeted through the air. Get him the ball in space and watch him work.
7th round – Carter Coughlin, EDGE, Minnesota
Coughlin is a bit of a tweener. He has the size and quickness to be an edge rusher. Yet there is a general concern about his lack of strength at the point of attack. This could lead to him being more of a utility guy who moves around looking for matchups. That said, he’s got the athletic goods for sure.
