The Chicago Bears are preparing to descend on the scouting combine in Indianapolis next week. It is perhaps the most important weekend of the offseason. Not only will it be the largest showcase of NFL draft talent on the field, but it will also present opportunities to line up interviews and even talk with other teams about potential deals. GM Ryan Pace, head coach Matt Nagy, and the team scouts have a ton of work to do.
What people want to know is where their focus will be. Obviously every position group will get its share of attention. That said, the Bears have their own list of priorities for this offseason. One they feel grants them the best chance of getting back into the playoff picture. Is there any one spot that they intend to focus on? I posed this exact question to insider Tony Pauline of the Pro Football Network.
The answer he gave in his mailbag was interesting and makes sense in several ways.
“They will be looking hard at the tight ends and speed receivers. The Bears will also closely monitor the defensive backs. I would suspect linebackers will be focused on as well as they may lose some veterans to free agency.”
Chicago Bears have questions at all of those spots
All of those positions mentioned have notable depth concerns going into this offseason. No Bears tight end managed to reach 100 yards receiving last season. A feat that is genuinely difficult to pull off these days. Allen Robinson was excellent at wide receiver but Anthony Miller and Taylor Gabriel both ended the season with significant injury problems that leave their futures in question. As for defensive back? Three safeties including Ha Ha Clinton-Dix are free agents while speculation is high that Prince Amukamara might be cut for cap reasons.
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So it’s hardly a surprise the Bears are focusing their efforts in those areas. Especially since experts say the options should be plentiful in the 2nd round for all of them. With two 2nd rounders at their disposal, Chicago no doubt would aim to take advantage of that. This class has a lot of speed at wide receiver with names like Jalen Reager, Brandon Aiyuk, and others expected to light up the 40-yard dash. The same can be said for the cornerbacks as well.
It will be fascinating to hear who they end up meeting with over the course of the event.
