This latest Chicago Bears 2020 mock offseason is made with a keen understanding of how things are shaping up at the top. GM Ryan Pace is safe. Head coach Matt Nagy is safe. Most of the vacant coaching staff slots have been filled except for offensive coordinator. This team’s focus will be on how they can restructure the roster enough to make it a playoff contender again without overhauling too much to where it does more harm than good.
That is what this mock will focus on. Think of this phrase: trim the fat. How many players on this roster that eat up a lot of resources can they afford to lose with little impact on the bottom line? People might be surprised to find out how much. Per usual the primary focus will be on helping the offense in every way possible but don’t think for a second the defense will be ignored. That is the face of this franchise and must stay that way until they finally find a quarterback.
Chicago Bears 2020 mock offseason must be about business
Cuts:
Kyle Long (retired) – $8.1 million
It wasn’t a huge shock when Long announced he was stepping away from football. His body has taken so much punishment. Four trips to Injured Reserve. Trying to extend his career at this point didn’t make much sense. He’ll go down as one of the best Bears of the past decade.
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Prince Amukamara – $8 million
A great locker room guy and solid cornerback at times. Amukamara regressed quite a bit this past year and also started to deal with frequent health issues. His advancing age and pricey contract make it likely the time is right to move on.
Taylor Gabriel – $4.5 million
Ending the year having missed several games with a concussion is never a good sign. This is a problem that has become serious for Gabriel. While he still holds onto the tag of being the Bears’ only true speed threat at wide receiver, the fact is they can probably do just as good as they’re getting for cheaper.
Adam Shaheen – $1.27 million
The Bears may have indicated they will at least carry Shaheen to training camp, but minds can change fast in the NFL. Everything about his situation says he should be gone sooner than later, allowing the team to use that money on something more useful.
Salary cap: $42.794 million
Trades:
Leonard Floyd and a 7th rounder to the Patriots for a 4th rounder
The Patriots are about to lose Kyle Van Noy to free agency, so their rush linebacker spot could be vacated. Bill Belichick has always loved versatile players of that type and Floyd fits the mold perfectly. New England also loves taking in former 1st round picks of other teams. They and Chicago have had several deals together in the past.
Salary cap: $56.016 million
Re-signings/Extensions:
Allen Robinson – 3-year extension for $51 million
Eddie Jackson already got his extension. This gives the Bears plenty of time to get the other vital one out of the way with Robinson. He was their best offensive player in 2019 and it wasn’t even close. The idea of losing him at this juncture is unacceptable. He signed for $14 million a year in 2018. This time he gets bumped up to $17 million a year.
Nick Kwiatkoski – 3-year deal for $21 million
Common business practice is the NFL. If you have to make a tough decision between two players, go with the younger one. Kwiatkoski played outstanding in relief of Danny Trevathan this past year, showing significant improvement to his game across the board. He is three years younger than Trevathan and less injury-prone.
Kevin Pierre-Louis – 1-year deal for $900,000
One of the true pleasant surprises on defense. Pierre-Louis looked more than adequate at inside linebacker filling in for Roquan Smith. He’s got speed and plays with lots of aggression. He’ll also be a help on special teams due to his experience. An easy move.
Roy Robertson-Harris – 1-year deal for $2.144 million
He may not be a sack artist as some might’ve hoped he’d become this season, but Robertson-Harris is still a quality member of the defensive line rotation. Somebody who can be a factor rushing the quarterback at a more than affordable price.
Rashaad Coward – 1-year deal for $660,000
He didn’t exactly jump off the tape when moved to guard midway through 2019, but Coward still showed he could be serviceable in that role. Not to mention his added experience at tackle as well. Getting that sort of versatility at a backup job for $660,000 is pennies.
J.P. Holtz – 1-year deal for $585,000
Another of those players that Pace seems to find under a rock from time to time that actually turns out pretty good. Holtz became a sort of H-back hybrid for the Bears, filling in as both a tight end and fullback. He wasn’t anything special but his arrival gave the offense a notable boost.
Salary cap: $45.727 million
Free agency:
Jason Pierre-Paul – 3-year deal for $27 million
For all the talk about playing in coverage and stopping the run, the reality the Bears need their outside linebacker to get to the quarterback. If Floyd can’t do that, then it’s time to find somebody who can. Pierre-Paul has a rough health history but he also had 8.5 sacks in just 10 games this past season. This after 12.5 in 2018. So he knows how to get the QB on his back. Putting him across from Khalil Mack should be a lot of fun.
Adrian Phillips – 1-year deal for $4 million
Phillips was one of the top strong safeties in the league in 2018. He posted 94 tackles including a forced fumble and interception. If that weren’t enough, he was an All-Pro on special teams. Sadly his 2019 was cut short by injury. This should keep his price low but give the Bears somebody who would compliment Jackson perfectly. Not to mention fill the void left by Sherrick McManis.
Olsen Pierre – 1-year deal for $850,000
Nick Williams was a tremendous find for the Bears but he’s about to earn a sizable payday after a career-high 6 sacks this season. This means the team must try to find another bargain for their defensive line rotation. Olsen Pierre has loads of experience as a 3-4 end and posted 5.5 sacks as a rookie. Since then he’s struggled due to injuries but can be a nice contributor on a limited basis.
Kelechi Osemele – 1-year deal for $6 million
Everybody saw the highly public breakup between Osemele and the New York Jets over the handling of his shoulder injury. Now he’s a free agent. The veteran is a risk due to recent health issues but this is a Pro Bowl player when 100%. If the Bears would prefer to buy a little more time before starting over from Long, signing him as a bridge option makes sense. He could be a big help to their running game.
Case Keenum – 1-year deal for $3 million
The word that keeps coming up in regards to the Bears quarterback situation is “competition.” They need to find some for Mitch Trubisky, and preferably cheap. Keenum has been effective in recent years as a starter, finishing this season with a 91.3 passer rating. He’s experienced, smart, and boasts a solid arm. If anybody can battle Trubisky at a bargain price, it’s him.
Kareem Hunt (RFA) – 3-year offer for $15 million
Shocked? Understandable but think about it. The Browns have a bonafide emerging star in Nick Chubb at running back. They won’t be inclined to pay significant money to keep Hunt around. The Bears secure a back who knows Nagy’s system inside and out and would make for a great 1-2 punch with David Montgomery.
Salary cap: $19.877 million
The Draft:
2nd round (via LAV) – A.J. Terrell, CB, Clemson
With Amukamara out of the picture, the Bears suddenly have significant questions at cornerback behind Kyle Fuller and Buster Skrine. A.J. Terrell solves this issue. He is very much the type of corner that fits a 3-4 defense with his bigger size, long arms, and fluid athleticism. This allows him to play lots of man coverage, something Chuck Pagano would love to do more.
- Trade: Bears send 50th pick to Ravens for 64th pick, 4th in 2020 and 4th in 2021
2nd round (via BAL) – Cole Kmet, TE, Notre Dame
The draft stock of Kmet is difficult to pin down. Some think he can sneak into the 1st round, others feel he’s too much of an unproven commodity. One thing is for sure. The Notre Dame standout has all the tools to be a legitimate threat in the passing game. His outstanding game against Georgia proved that much last year.
4th round (via NE) – Lloyd Cushenberry, OL, LSU
One of the unsung heroes of the LSU offense in 2019. A sturdy and nimble blocker who does everything well, if nothing great. He’ll keep his quarterback protected and has enough power and nastiness to get after it in the ground game. He’ll have a starting job somewhere on the interior by his second season.
4th round (via BAL) – K.J. Hill, WR, Ohio State
With Gabriel gone, it’s fairly certain the Bears will be hunting for some speed at wide receiver in this draft. K.J. Hill flashed plenty of that potential for the Buckeyes but never got a chance to truly showcase it. He’s fully capable of taking the top off a defense but is also a smooth route runner with decent 6’0 size.
4th round (comp) – Julian Blackmon, S, Utah
The entire safety position took a hit for the Bears in free agency with three guys leaving. Thus far they’ve only added one in Phillips. So a move like this was easy to foresee. Blackmon is a former cornerback with enough athleticism to survive in coverage but truly excels when he gets to play downhill near the line of scrimmage.
5th round – Jonathan Garvin, EDGE, Miami
Physically the kid stands out with good strength and very long arms that enable him to control his blockers, especially against the run. He’s shown plenty of flashes as a pass rusher. What he doesn’t have is mastery of his hand fighting techniques. If that light ever goes on, quarterbacks are in trouble.
6th round – Mohamed Berry, LB, Nebraska
The best kinds of inside linebackers are those who play with energy, aggression, and speed. Berry has all three of those traits. However, he also has undisciplined eyes and tends to miss tackles a little too often due to length issues. These sorts of problems can be worked around with time.
6th round (via PHI) – Steven Montez, QB, Colorado
Drafting a quarterback early isn’t something to consider, but the Bears need to start getting proactive about adding more arms to their depth chart. Guys with upside who might be able to develop into something. Montez has size, a good arm, and a knack for making some highly impressive throws under pressure. He just needs a lot of work on how to process defenses.
