This Chicago Bears 2020 mock offseason is center around Ryan Pace. The GM is notoriously hard to predict. So what do we know? He's big on believing in his own homegrown players but at the same time isn't afraid to take calculated risks. Is there a way to combine those two realities together to forge an offseason that can make this team better? The answer is yes, but it could lead to some rather unpopular decisions.
So let's just get this out of the way now. This offseason will be driven by one overarching reality. Mitch Trubisky will remain the starter going into next season. Period. End of story. Everything else will be geared around this. A lot of people won't like it but that seems to be the path Pace is ready to take. His job in the next three months will be simple.
What must I do to make it work? Here are some things he can try. Get ready for some unexpected action.
This Chicago Bears 2020 mock offseason takes some risks
Cuts:
Prince Amukamara - $9 million
The odds are that Chicago will approach Amukamara about taking a pay cut in hopes they can keep him one more year. However, it's likely the veteran corner won't want to take anything significant. So in the end the two sides choose to part ways with the veteran hoping to close out his career elsewhere.
Kyle Long - $8.1 million
This is just a formality. Long is retiring and stepping away from football. This is the same as getting outright cut from a contract perspective. An unfortunate end to what was once such a promising career. Maybe the time off will change his mind but as of now, he's done.
Ben Braunecker - $1.5 million
The reality is Braunecker proved in 2019 that he'll never be worth much on the offensive side of the ball. This means the Bears are paying him mostly for contributions on special teams. The price they're paying is too steep in this regard and thus they make a cost cut.
Adam Shaheen - $1.27 million
Pace sounded like a man desperately holding out hope that Shaheen, his former 2nd round pick might still work out. The truth is that isn't going to happen. The tight end can't stay healthy and isn't much of a factor even when he's on the field. Time to move on.
Salary cap: $33.226 million
Trades:
#50 pick to Browns for TE David Njoku and #88 pick
The Bears are desperate for help at tight end. This is hardly a secret. They need a genuine weapon who can threaten defenses. Njoku showed that promise back in 2018 but struggled in 2019, due in large part to issues with the coaching staff. With new management in charge, it's possible Cleveland is willing to make some changes. So the Bears pounce with a trade that brings the gifted 24-year old to Chicago.
WR Taylor Gabriel to 49ers for 6th round pick
Frustration has mounted with Gabriel due to his treading water in the Bears offense, not to mention health setbacks. He's not providing the speed element they hoped for often enough. With Emmanuel Sanders a free agent and connections to Kyle Shanahan, Pace decides to reunite the two in San Francisco, securing a pick and $4.5 million in cap space.
Salary cap: $34.696 million
Re-signings/Extensions:
Allen Robinson - 4-year extension, $65.6 million ($13 million 2020 cap hit)
The wide receiver earned his money last season, going over 1,000 yards despite a myriad of issues across the offense, including quarterback. Chicago gives him a nearly $2 million per year pay raise, putting him in the same bracket as Mike Evans and DeAndre Hopkins. Well-deserved.
Leonard Floyd - 3-year extension, $35.511 million ($8.622 million 2020 cap hit)
It's clear from statements by both Pace and the coaching staff that the team hasn't lost faith in Floyd despite his disappointing sack numbers. So rather than cut him as many hope, they lower his cap hit through a minor extension. One that can be escaped after two years if necessary.
Kevin Pierre-Louis - 2-year deal, $10 million
This is the first major calculated risk the Bears take. Rather than retain either Danny Trevathan or Nick Kwiatkoski, they keep Pierre-Louis on a short deal for cheap next to Roquan Smith. The 28-year old played well in relief late last season, showing speed and aggressiveness. This move saves the Bears some money they can apply elsewhere.
Roy Robertson-Harris - 1-year deal, $2.144 million
This is pretty much a formality. Robertson-Harris didn't explode as many thought he would on the stat sheet but he remains a solid member of the defensive line rotation. A big, strong, and quick interior pass rusher who can give the starters a breather each week.
Deon Bush - 1-year deal, $900,000
With Ha Ha Clinton-Dix departing for free agency, the Bears safety spot next to Eddie Jackson is suddenly wide open. Bush has patiently waited for an opportunity to become a starter and he flashed a lot of promise in the preseason last year. He signs this one year deal with knowledge the competition is open.
Patrick Scales - 1-year deal, $820,000
The Bears have flirted with the idea of a new long snapper for the past couple of years. Each time Scales calmly dismissed the contenders in training camp. Odds are the same will be true this time as well.
Rashaad Coward - 1-year deal, $660,000
The former undrafted free agent started his NFL career as a defensive lineman. Then he makes a switch to offensive tackle, enters 2019 at that position and suddenly gets thrust in at right guard as an emergency option. All things considered, he did better than expected. Enough to keep him around.
J.P. Holtz - $1-year deal, $585,000
Another unexpected standout was Holtz. He was acquired midseason to help bolster the tight end position. This he did, but where he really carved a role for himself was as a quasi-fullback for David Montgomery in the running back. This versatility is hard to come by.
Salary cap: $31.187 million
Free agency:
Brandon Scherff - 4-year deal, $40 million ($8 million 2020 cap hit)
Blocking was a central issue for the Bears last season, particularly on the ground. With Long gone, it leaves a sizable hole in the middle of their front. Scherff is a powerful and physical right guard who fits everything they need. A former Pro Bowler, he is 29-years old and not on the younger side but this team is angling to win now. He helps them do that.
Johnathan Cyprien - 1-year deal, $3 million
A criticism of Clinton-Dix last year was that his inability to handle duties down in the box forced the Bears to fill that void more often with Jackson. This took the latter away from where he's most dangerous playing center field in coverage. Cyprien is the quintessential strong safety who 100 tackles or more in his first four seasons.
Ezekiel Ansah - 1-year deal, $3.5 million
If the Bears are going to play it cheap at the edge rusher position, they'll have to take some risks. Ansah is a familiar face, having played in Detroit for several years. He had 12 sacks in 2017. Since then he's been plagued by health issues. This is a minor gamble by the team to see if he has any juice left.
Case Keenum - 1-year deal, $3 million
Don't expect the Bears to make a significant push on Trubisky. The most to expect at this point is finding an upgrade over Chase Daniel at the backup spot. A little insurance in case Trubisky has to deal with another injury issue. Keenum is a solid veteran with tons of starting experience.
Aldon Smith - 1-year deal, $820,000
This is probably a name people didn't expect to see. Smith hasn't played a down of football since 2015. However, the word is he's been sober for at least six months and working with the respected Jay Glazer on a comeback. He's still only 30-years old and was a dominant pass rusher. A veteran minimum contract is a worthwhile venture to see if he still has anything.
Salary cap: $12.867 million
The Draft:
2nd Round (via LAV) - Jalen Reagor, WR, TCU
The Bears want more speed on offense. So they go get it. Reagor is considered one of the fastest receivers in the 2020 draft class. Keep in mind there are a ton of fast receivers in it, so that's saying something. He is a threat to score every time he touches the ball but isn't just a one-trick pony. He displays decent route running skills and strong hands.
3rd Round (via CLE) - Michael Ojemudia, CB, Iowa
One thing about Iowa is they always build their players tough. Ojemudia fits that mold. He plays a physical brand of football, able to get up and press receiver with enough size to match up with the big ones but enough speed to not get constantly torched down the field. He also has a nice nose for the ball with six interceptions in his last two seasons.
4th Round (comp) - Trey Adams, OT, Washington
There was a point in time that most experts felt Adams was a 1st round pick in waiting. So what happened? Injuries, pretty much. He dealt with knee and back issues that hampered his time in college. When healthy though, he had that ability to wall off pass rushers with remarkable consistency. He's got the size and length to start on either side of an offensive line.
5th Round - Jeremy Chinn, S, Southern Illinois
A local product. His 2019 was cut short by injury but in just five games he had four interceptions. He boasts impressive size at 6'3, 219 lbs and is lauded for his ball skills, instincts, and intelligence. He's rarely caught out of position. There are some limitations in man coverage, but this kid can play.
6th Round - Ke'Shawn Vaughn, RB, Vanderbilt
The Bears have a lot to work with in David Montgomery but one thing he doesn't bring to the table is explosiveness. Their backfield can use more of it. Vaughn brings some of that. While not a high caliber athlete in terms of quickness or agility, he has good north-south acceleration and speed coupled with vision.
6th Round (via PHI) - Josiah Deguara, TE, Cincinnati
Adding Njoku will help the Bears tight end position become better in teh receiving game. Now what they need to focus on is getting somebody at that position who can block. While not the biggest or strongest, Deguara does his job in that department. He gives maximum effort and can do it in-line or in space.
6th Round (via SF) - Markus Bailey, LB, Purdue
If people are looking for a replacement for Kwiatkoski, this is that sort of guy. He's not the best athlete but Bailey is tough, instinctive, and physical. He is also smart. Really smart. He is rarely caught out of position. Should make for a great backup.
7th Round (via LAV) - Trevis Gipson, EDGE, Tulsa
Chicago has already met with Gipson. He is an interesting prospect, boasting good size and enough athleticism to play outside linebacker. He had himself a breakout year in 2019 with eight sacks and 15 tackles for a loss. He also reportedly did well at the Senior Bowl. This is a worthwhile pick with upside.
7th Round - Scott Frantz, OT, Kansas State
Pace struck gold when he got Cody Whitehair from Kansas State back in 2016. Now he goes to that well again. Frantz isn't on his level as an athlete, but he's a physical blocker with lots of starting experience. He should be able to move inside as well and provide quality depth at guard.
