Each Chicago Bears 2021 mock offseason thus far has shifted direction based on how the team looks from week to week. Unsurprisingly, the focus remains on the offense. However, there is a slight shift this time. While the offensive line obviously needs loads of attention, it's clearer than ever this franchise won't get anything solved until they find a quarterback.
Keep this in mind. Ryan Pace has drafted one QB in six offseasons. He gave up four total picks to get that QB. A monumental mistake that is almost certain to lead to his ultimate downfall. He gambled everything on Mitch Trubisky and lost. This is what happens to almost every GM. You miss at quarterback, you'll be unemployed a few years later.
So here the Bears are again, resuming their search for that elusive prize. How can they go about it this time?
Chicago Bears 2021 mock offseason goes a new direction
Front office and Coaching staff changes:
Ryan Pace fired and replaced with Marvin Allen as GM Allen isn't among the hot names in the media for GM jobs but that figures to change as the Miami Dolphins continue their dramatic turnaround. This guy is a former NFL running back who entered the scouting ranks in the 1990s and worked his way up the ladder with the Patriots through most of the 2000s, helping them establish a dynasty. After a stint in Atlanta, he became the Director of College Scouting for Kansas City in 2014 and over the next four seasons helped them to acquire guys like Chris Jones, Tyreek Hill, and Patrick Mahomes. Buffalo soon brought him in as a national scout in 2018, the same year they drafted Josh Allen and Tremaine Edmunds. A year later he was made Assistant GM in Miami where he helped institute a rapid rebuild that now has them 6-3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0WZQ_xIS3U&ab_channel=NFL Matt Nagy fired and replaced with Brian Daboll as head coach Daboll comes significantly more proven as an offensive mind than Nagy did. After some rough stints in Cleveland, Kansas City, and Miami as an offensive coordinator, he retreated to the college ranks in 2017. There as a co-coordinator he helped Alabama win the national championship. That seemed to restore his confidence. A year later the Buffalo Bills made him their offensive coordinator. Since then he's overseen the development of Josh Allen at quarterback and done a phenomenal job. The Bills offense went from 30th his first year, to 24th last year, to 10th in 2020. Allen has 21 TD passes to just seven interceptions in 10 games. Daboll and Allen worked together both in Buffalo and New England. So there is a strong familiarity there.Cuts:
- Jimmy Graham - $7 million saved
- Charles Leno Jr. - $6.2 million saved
- Bobby Massie - $5.4 million saved
- Buster Skrine - $2.8 million saved
Trades:
Allen Robinson (tagged) to the Dolphins for a 2nd round pick It's no longer a matter of if with this. Robinson is gone next year. The key for the Bears is determining how they wish to control the exit. Their best hope is to use the franchise tag on him and then deal him to another team. He's good enough to secure a 2nd round pick from somebody. Miami has two of them and also plenty of cash to give him a contract extension, pairing him up with Tua Tagovailoa. Robert Quinn and a 6th round pick to the Jets The NFL doesn't seem to care for basketball-style trades but Brock Osweiler pioneered something a few years ago. Chicago made a huge mistake give that $70 million deal to Robert Quinn. Now they have to find a way out of it. The Jets have a boatload of money and are looking for draft picks to continue building their roster. They also can use pass rush help. They take an extra 6th rounder to take him off the Bears' hands. Anthony Miller and a 7th rounder to the Saints for a 5th round pick Miller isn't living up to what this team drafted him for. First it was health issues and now it's constant problems with catching the football. To say nothing of accusations from teammates about his practice habits. He has so much ability but can't regularly access it. Time for a fresh start. New Orleans loves to stack up receivers and they could be looking for cheaper alternatives soon. Salary cap: $27.072 millionRe-signings/Extensions:
Kyle Fuller - 2-year extension for $32 million (lowers 2021 cap hit to $5 million) A lot of people may demand the Bears just blow it all up. That doesn't feel necessary. This defense is still good enough to have one or two more strong seasons together. It is just a matter of easing the cap burden for 2021. They do this by handing out limited extensions. Fuller gets a well-deserved $2 million per year raise after having another outstanding season at cornerback. Akiem Hicks - 2-year extension for $26 million (lowers 2021 cap hit to $4 million) People got a good look at life without Hicks late against Minnesota when Dalvin Cook finally broke free running the ball after he was injured. The big defensive end is 31 but he's still the heart and soul of that defense. When healthy, he's a monster. Give him a short extension with a pay bump and move along. https://twitter.com/FTBBurner11/status/1328511607916298240 Cairo Santos - 3-year deal for $12.3 million After a rocky start in Chicago, Santos has settled in remarkably well. He's hit his last 23-consecutive kicks for the Bears. It's gotten to a point where there isn't much left to see. Eddy Pineiro is out of the picture. This job belongs to Santos. He's done enough to earn it long-term, providing sorely needed stability.Mario Edwards Jr. - 3-year deal for $9 million
Most will remember 2020 free agency for the Quinn whiff but Pace did some really good work on the bargain market. Edwards signed for $1.6 million and has become their second-best interior pass rusher on the team. Just a constant presence that finds ways into the backfield every single week. Tashaun Gipson - 2-year deal for $6 million The veteran former Pro Bowler has fit right in for the Bears. He always seems to be around the football making nice plays. He doesn't make a lot of mistakes and plays with discipline and savvy. His athleticism should make him a viable starter despite being in his 30s now. A two-year deal is good for him and safe for the team.- DeAndre Houston-Carson - 1-year deal for $990,000
- Barkevious Mingo - 1-year deal for $1.075 million
- James Vaughters - ERFA tender for $780,000
- J.P. Holtz - ERFA tender for $850,000
- Brent Urban - 1-year deal for $1.075 million
- Daniel McCullers - 1-year deal for $1.075 million
- Alex Bars - ERFA tender for $850,000
- Josh Woods - ERFA tender for $850,000
- Patrick Scales - 1-year deal for $1.075 million







