The scouting combine is over. Rumors are flying everywhere. It's easier than ever to make some educated guesses about what teams will do as the new league year approaches. This Chicago Bears 2023 mock offseason reflects that. One thing is clear. GM Ryan Poles controls the narrative. He knows it too. He has more money to spend than anybody and the highest pick in the draft. Fueling the fires further is the growing belief that Chicago will trade that #1 spot to somebody in the near future.
What remains uncertain is to whom. There are several possibilities. Considering how things have unfolded thus far, it's becoming apparent the Bears may have something more complicated in motion than people think. Here is one scenario that appears to have some steam behind it.
Each Chicago Bears 2023 mock offseason comes back to the trenches.
Trades
#1 pick to Houston for #2 pick, 33rd pick, and 2nd in 2024
Rampant buzz suggests the Texans are prepared to ensure they get the quarterback they covet by swapping spots with Chicago. It makes sense. They have plenty of ammunition to swing a deal. Giving up two 2nd round picks won't derail their plans for building around their new franchise guy. The Bears pocket two quality picks for basically nothing.
#2 pick to Tennessee for #11 pick, 41st pick, 1st in 2024, and DL Jeffery Simmons
Under no circumstances would Poles entertain the idea of dropping out of the top 10. Not unless the team can offer Chicago something they can't refuse. The Titans do this with Simmons. The two-time Pro Bowler has 16 sacks in the past two years and is the most dominant interior defensive lineman in the NFL not named Aaron Donald. He is precisely what the Bears need. That and a future 1st rounder are enough to swing the deal.
Re-structures/Extensions
- Jeffery Simmons - 5-year deal for $110 million
- David Montgomery – 3-year deal for $19.5 million
- Cole Kmet – 4-year extension for $48 million
- Darnell Mooney – 4-year extension for $60 million
- Nicholas Morrow – 2-year contract for $10 million
- Armon Watts – 1-year deal for $1.08 million
- N’Keal Harry – 1-year deal for $1.08 million
- Trevon Wesco – 1-year deal for $1.08 million
- Matthew Adams – 1-year deal for $1.08 million
- Dane Cruikshank – 1-year deal for $1.08 million
- DeAndre Houston-Carson – 1-year deal for $1.165 million
- Patrick Scales – 1-year deal $1.165 million
- Josh Blackwell – ERFA deal for $750,000
Free Agency
OG Dalton Risner - 3-year deal for $30 million
Having secured their defensive tackle of the future, the Bears shift their focus to the offensive line. Risner was blamed somewhat unfairly for Denver's offensive issues last year. He was actually solid in pass protection. He allowed only 18 pressures in 224 true pass sets. Cody Whitehair allowed 12 in 122.
DT A'Shawn Robinson - 1-year deal for $2.5 million
Where Allen helps with the interior rush, Robinson should help fix the Bears' leaky run defense. It was a constant issue last year. He's big, long, powerful, and difficult to move.
EDGE Ogbonnia Okoronkwo - 2-year deal for $11 million
He hadn't done much in his career up to last season. Then he cracked the starting lineup in Houston and finished on a tear, collecting five sacks in the final six games.
LB Azeez Al-Shaair - 2-year deal for $8 million
Al-Shaair was playing some really good football before getting hurt last season. He understands how to handle outside linebacker in a 4-3 with good instincts, range, and toughness. He'll also be relatively cheap.
WR Robert Woods - 1-year deal for $5 million
He might be a bit on the older side, but Woods is still a plenty credible veteran. He has winning experience from his time in Los Angeles and is a sharp, savvy route-runner that can work from the slot.
The Draft
1st Round (via TEN) - Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State
Having secured a difference-maker for his defensive line, Poles is free to infuse his offensive line with long overdue 1st round talent. Johnson protected Justin Fields at Ohio State. He's long, athletic, and physical. Having played right guard and left tackle in college, a shift to right tackle shouldn't be a huge challenge for him. If Braxton Jones doesn't progress, the Bears can always move him to the left side. If he does, the team has their bookends for the future.
2nd Round (via HOU) - Josh Downs, WR, North Carolina
Whispers are the Bears seek one more receiver that is "dynamic." That word is used constantly to describe Downs. He's fast, agile, competitive to the extreme, and displays the kind of footwork that will make him a nasty route-runner. Teams will be down on him because of his 5'9 size. That won't be an issue if he's working primarily from the slot.
2nd Round (via TEN) - Isaiah Foskey, EDGE, Notre Dame
Size? Check. Length? Check. Athleticism? Oh yeah. Foskey has all the physical tools of an NFL edge rusher. His 21 sacks in two seasons as a starter for the Irish back that up. This guy even scored a punt return TD as a sophomore. The scariest part is most evaluators agree he's unpolished. He lacks advanced pass rush techniques. Presuming he fixes that in the next year or two, Foskey has 10-sacks-per-year written all over him.
2nd Round (via BAL) - John Michael-Schmitz, C, Minnesota
Stacking the OL in this Bears 2023 mock offseason made sense. Michael-Schmitz is the quintessential zone-blocking center. What he lacks in true size and power, he makes up in athleticism, quickness, and technique. He's stout in pass protection and gets after it in the run game—a plug-and-player starter.
3rd Round - DeMarvion Overshown, LB, Texas
Eberflus likes his linebackers long and athletic. Overshown is both. That isn't all. He's also a football junky known for approaching the game with borderline obsession. He's still new to the position but has improved rapidly. He can drop into coverage or attack as a blitzer. His best days are ahead.
4th Round - Jayden Reed, WR, Michigan State
One of the stars of the Senior Bowl. Reed showcased his prowess as a route-runner in Mobile and added a 4.43 time in the 40 at the scouting combine. He's a good athlete who plays the position the right way. His tape shows a competitor that makes tough catches. He also brings punt return experience.
4th Round (via PHI) - Eli Ricks, CB, Alabama
It's important to remember the Bears value instincts, length, quickness, and physicality over speed at cornerback. Ricks is exactly that type of player. Bigger receivers can't deal with him, and his five interceptions with two TDs prove he has a nose for the football.
5th Round - Chase Brown, RB, Illinois
Trestan Ebner couldn't solve Chicago's pass-catching issues out of the backfield. They need more juice in that area. Brown is a natural receiver with good route-running skills and soft hands. He also brings 4.4 speed to the table as well. He'd be a great option alongside Montgomery and Herbert.
5th Round (via BAL) - Josh Whyle, TE, Cincinnati
Cole Kmet gives the Bears that versatile tight end who is a good blocker and decent pass-catcher. What they could use is a pure receiving threat to complement him. Whyle is 6'6 with decent speed and a knack for creating mismatches by lining up in various formations. Think of him as a bigger Trey Burton.
7th Round - Clayton Tune, QB, Houston
Tune was highly productive for the Cougars, with 70 TD passes over his final two years. He's 6'3 and moves well for his size. He was a team captain for three years, throws with reasonable accuracy, and can read the entire field. He isn't an instinctive playmaker, but he is smart and knows where to go with the ball.
Depth Chart
Offense:
- QB - Justin Fields
- RB - David Montgomery
- WR - Darnell Mooney
- WR - Chase Claypool
- WR - Josh Downs
- TE - Cole Kmet
- LT - Braxton Jones
- LG - Dalton Risner
- C - John Michael-Schmitz
- RG - Teven Jenkins
- RT - Paris Johnson Jr.
Defense:
- EDGE - Ogbonnia Okoronkwo
- DT - A'Shawn Robinson
- DT - Jeffery Simmons
- EDGE - Isaiah Foskey
- OLB - Nicholas Morrow
- MLB - Jack Sanborn
- OLB - DeMarvion Overshown
- CB - Jaylon Johnson
- S - Eddie Jackson
- S - Jaquan Brisker
- CB - Kyler Gordon
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