This Chicago Bears 2020 mock offseason endeavors to get a little more serious about what the team might have planned at quarterback. GM Ryan Pace continues to insist that Mitch Trubisky will remain their guy. In reality, this feels more like Matt Nagy's time. His patience clearly is running out with the 25-year old. Now that his job could well be on the line this upcoming season, it makes sense he'd push for a change at the position.
While he'd love to have his own superstar, Nagy must be realistic. The first step towards solving the QB position is getting more consistency. People hate using the term "game manager" in these situations but frankly, that would be an upgrade over what the Bears have. They need somebody who can run the offense efficiently. Similar to what Alex Smith provided in Kansas City for several years.
Keeping this in mind, it's time to unveil what they have planned.
Chicago Bears 2020 mock offseason is about admitting mistakes
Trades:
OLB Leonard Floyd to Dolphins for a 6th round pick
Cap space is needed. The only surefire way the Bears are going to get it is if they unload Floyd. He's had long enough to live up to his billing as a top 10 pick and hasn't done so. The team can put that $13 million in cap space to better use elsewhere. Conversely, the Dolphins have a load of picks and money to spare. They covet versatile defenders like Floyd, so it's a good match.
QB Mitch Trubisky to Steelers for a 4th round pick
Keep in mind this will take place after what happens in free agency. You all will see that soon enough. The idea is simple. The Bears want a fresh start at quarterback. Trubisky still has a cheap year left on his contract, is a former 1st round pick and went to a Pro Bowl. Somebody would trade for that. Pittsburgh is looking for options both behind and beyond Ben Roethlisberger. This is a calculated flier for them.
Salary cap: $46.335 million ($4 million extra via new CBA)
Re-signings/Extensions:
ILB Danny Trevathan - 3-year deal for $18 million ($5 million 2020 cap hit)
With the quarterback shift that is coming, the Bears will be limited in the amount of cap space they can throw around. This means they must, unfortunately, let Nick Kwiatkoski walk as his market is surging. Still, there is no reason to fret. Trevathan may be on the older side but he's a good player who was having a strong year before his elbow injury last season. Keep him on a short-term deal and resume the search for his heir.
DE Roy Robertson-Harris - 1-year deal for $2.144 million
With Floyd gone, it's more important than ever to keep the defensive line intact. Robertson-Harris isn't a sack artist but he's a valuable member of the pass rush rotation. The price to keep him is cheap and there isn't much reason not to get him back in the fold for one more year.
S Deon Bush - 1-year deal for $900,000
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix won't be back. Money just isn't viable for that. So expect the Bears to have a bit of a competition for the strong safety spot. Bush looked pretty good in his limited appearances last season. Enough to give him an opportunity to earn the job this summer.
OT Cornelius Lucas - 1-year deal for $820,000
The veteran had to take over for the injured Bobby Massie at right tackle last year and didn't look too bad doing so. He could make for a nice bargain as the backup again this year while the Bears mull their future at the position.
ILB Kevin Pierre-Louis - 1-year deal for $820,000
With Kwiatkoski gone, the Bears must move to ensure their depth at inside linebacker remains intact. Pierre-Louis was forced to step up last year after Roquan Smith went down with his torn pec. The veteran looked fast and instinctive when on the field. Definitely worth keeping around.
LS Patrick Scales - 1-year deal for $820,000
Scales has been the steadiest presence on special teams for the Bears going back years. A man who helped bridge the era beyond Patrick Mannelly. There's been no reason to justify letting him walk. Better to keep continuity at an important position.
OG Rashaad Coward - 1-year deal for $660,000
Not enough people are respecting what Coward did last year. Here's a kid who came into the NFL as a defensive lineman. In 2018 he's asked to switch to offensive tackle and did. Then last season he's asked to shift instead to guard, which he's never played before and started actual games there. He didn't look horrible either. This is an easy decision.
TE J.P. Holtz - 1-year deal for $585,000
Sometimes sifting through the scrap heap can yield some results. Holtz is a perfect example. Unwanted by multiple teams in his career, he found a niche in Chicago as a hybrid tight end and fullback. Until the Bears find somebody better, he should be kept around.
Salary cap: $33.766 million
Free agency:
QB Teddy Bridgewater - 4-year deal for $80 million ($12 million 2020 cap hit)
Would Nagy love to have his own Mahomes? Of course. Everybody would. However, he knows by now he doesn't have that and finding it is really tough. The smarter thing to do would be to find his own Alex Smith. A steady, smart and reliable veteran who can run an offense with efficiency and leadership. Consistency is key. Bridgewater brings that. He may not be flashy but he makes enough plays to win football games and proved he could make it to the playoffs when paired with a strong defense.
While $20 million per year is a lot of money, it's actually less than the Jaguars gave Nick Foles a year ago. This is an affordable deal for a QB-needy team.
WR Keelan Cole - 3-year offer for $15 million
This is a name not a lot of people know about. They should. He's quietly been a flashy target down in Jacksonville the past three years. While not a true go-to guy, he's showcased playmaking potential with legitimate speed that has allowed him to gash defenses down the field. He also has a flair for acrobatic catches. Given the host of contract issues the Jaguars are dealing with, the Bears might be able to pry him away despite being a restricted free agent.
S Tony Jefferson - 1-year deal for $3 million
After a strong start to his career that culminated in a big payday with Baltimore, injuries slowed Jefferson last year. This resulted in him losing his starting job and finally getting released. When healthy this is an active and capable strong safety who does good work around the line of scrimmage. The Bears need somebody like that in order to free up Eddie Jackson to play deep coverage where he belongs.
TE Tyler Eifert - 1-year deal for $2 million
Eifert was on the cusp of superstardom in 2015 when he caught 13 touchdowns before suffering a gruesome ankle injury. Thus began a harrowing string of health problems that very nearly cost him his career. From 2016 to 2018, he never played more than eight games. However, he recaptured some of his old magic last year, playing all 16 games with over 400 yards and three touchdowns on just 63 targets.
OG Stefan Wisniewski - 1-year deal for $945,000
While finding a starter is a priority at guard for the Bears, they also need depth. Wisniewski remains an underrated contributor. Whenever he's been asked to step in by his teams, he's done so with decent success. He has loads of experience in this type of offense too, having won rings in Philadelphia and Kansas City.
QB Jordan Ta'amu - 1-year deal for $820,000
One of the major standouts in the upstart XFL. The former Ole Miss product is off to a great start with the St. Louis Battlehawks. In four games, he's completed 75% of his passes for 876 yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions. He's also run for another 186 yards and a touchdown. Ta'amu is showing considerable progress from when he came out of college. He's got size and a good arm too. The kid is worth a look.
Salary cap: $9.001 million
NFL Draft:
2nd Round (via LAV) - Lloyd Cushenberry, OG, LSU
Blocking is the centerpiece of any offense and the Bears' wasn't nearly good enough in 2019. Right guard has become a liability. So plugging that spot should be a must. Cushenberry has all the tools a team could want. Good size and strength coupled with quickness and a favorable nasty streak. He's battle-tested against the best conference in college football and a national champion. He'll be a Day 1 starter in Chicago with a Pro Bowl ceiling.
- Trade: #50 pick to Seahawks for #59 pick and 3rd rounder (comp)
2nd Round (via SEA) - Jonathan Greenard, EDGE, Florida
Part of finding good pass rushers is being able to balance two things: physical upside and production. Greenard checks both boxes. While not the most athletic player at his position, he showed he has quickness and burst needed to get up the field as a pass rusher. Combine that with the 10 sacks he had in 2019 and that proves he has the capability to be a capable edge defender in the NFL.
3rd Round (via SEA) - Damon Arnette, CB, Ohio State
He may not have lit the field on fire at the combine as other Buckeye corners have, but Arnette shows plenty on tape to make you think he'll be a starter in the NFL. He's got enough size, good quickness, and plays with serious determination. He'll battle it out with whomever he's lined up against and never surrenders anything easily. Added in the ability to move insider or outside and that brings value.
4th Round (via PIT) - Devin Duvernay, WR, Texas
Speed is the name of the game for the Bears offense. They got some with Cole in free agency but need more. Duvernay was a track champion. He has sprinter speed. His body type also lends to him being dangerous after the catch, running through tackles and picking up those extra yards. If he masters route running, he'll be a problem.
4th Round (comp) - Dalton Keene, TE, Virginia Tech
Burton has proven a disappointment thus far in Chicago. He was okay in 2018 but a complete disaster last year. The Bears have to think about life beyond him at U tight end. They've had their eyes on Keene and for good reason. In terms of body type, playing style, and skill set he is the spitting image of Burton. A guy who can move into a variety of formations and create mismatches.
5th Round - Geno Stone, S, Iowa
If Stone were just a bit better of an athlete, he'd be long gone. The guy has the instincts, intelligence and leadership qualities of an All-Pro but not the speed and range to take full advantage of them. That said, he's more than capable of playing a box safety role, defending the run and acting as a blitzer on passing downs. Exactly what the Bears need.
6th Round (via MIA) - Colton McKivitz, OT, West Virginia
It's been said for some time that the Bears offensive line needs a little more nasty to it. Kyle Long brought it in the past but he's gone now. McKivitz displays the kind of mean dog qualities offensive line coaches love. He plays tough, physical and through the whistle. While not a premier athlete, he makes up for it with good technique. With a little time, he can be a starting right tackle in the NFL.
6th Round - Davion Taylor, ILB, Colorado
The Bears are secure in the short-term at least by locking up Trevathan to a new extension. However, he's in his 30s now so the clock is ticking. They need to think about a future beyond him. Taylor is perfect. A high upside athlete with legitimate speed, he's flashed loads of potential. However, he's considerably inexperience as well and still learning the game. He'll need a year or two to develop, which makes him a great fit in Chicago.
6th Round (via PHI) - Rico Dowdle, RB, South Carolina
The Bears say they always look for backs who display vision first. Dowdle showed plenty of that in college. In addition, he showcased considerable explosiveness too. While not a burner, who has enough juice to pop big runs and also be a threat in the passing game. Ball security will be a big teaching point for him. He'll make a nice addition to the backfield with Montgomery and Cohen.
7th Round (via LAV) - Stephen Sullivan, TE, LSU
Sullivan never emerged as a go-to target for LSU, mostly because he was on a crowded depth chart with too many weapons on offense to count. That said he's known for being a team-first guy with athletic potential. He has size and speed and improved steadily as a pass catcher. There is still work to do but can be something if given time.
7th Round - Broc Rutter, QB, North Central College
Rutter is far from a household name but the kid sure made a name for himself on the Division III circuit. He led North Central to their first-ever national championship, throwing for 56 touchdowns to just five interceptions. He's a Naperville native with 6'2 size and a decent arm. It looks like there might be something there worth exploring.
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