Ryan Poles shook up the NFL landscape when he traded the 1st overall pick to Carolina. Now he prepares for the off-season to officially begin with ten picks in the 2023 draft and $75 million in salary cap space. The man is well-equipped to drastically improve his roster over the next seven weeks. He's already added a solid wide receiver in D.J. Moore. Next comes free agency with a chance to bring in some proven veteran pieces. Nobody can say for sure how aggressive Poles will be. This final Chicago Bears 2023 mock offseason will try to find out.
It might feature some moves that fans don't expect. Poles has continued to operate with a plan in mind. Everything points to him prioritizing the trenches with some additional moves at linebacker and elsewhere. Much of it will come down to how other teams try to counteract his approach. Expect fireworks.
The last Chicago Bears 2023 mock offseason must deliver.
Cuts:
- Cody Whitehair - $5.8 million saved
Re-signings/Extensions:
- 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:
OT Mike McGlinchey - 4-year contract for $64 million
He might not be what many fans want because of his inconsistent pass protection, but the fact is McGlinchey is an excellent fit for the Bears' system and is an upgrade over anything they currently have. He's big, strong, nasty, and has a wealth of playoff experience he can bring with him from San Francisco.
DT Dre'Mont Jones - 4-year contract for $76 million
The draft is not an ideal spot for defensive tackle help this year. That means if the Bears want their interior pass rusher, they'll have to pay for it. Jones has the abilities they're looking for. He's quick, explosive, and understands how to shoot gaps into the backfield. A true disruptor.
LB Bobby Okereke - 4-year contract for $44 million
People started making this connection months ago. It's too easy to include in every Bears 2023 mock offseason. Okereke made a name for himself in Eberflus' defense during his time as Colts defensive coordinator. A reunion between the two seems like a no-brainer.
CB Shaquill Griffin - 2-year contract for $15 million
The former Pro Bowler was playing some good football through 2020 in Seattle. Unfortunately, things never clicked for him in Jacksonville, primarily due to health setbacks. He is still only 27 and looks like his old self when on the field. He could be a dependable outside corner opposite Jaylon Johnson.
RB Kareem Hunt - 2-year deal for $8 million
Letting go of Montgomery is difficult. Poles will have to find some veteran help to bolster the position. He helped draft Hunt in Kansas City, where he became a Pro Bowler. He has the diverse skillset the Bears are looking for, able to do everything well.
EDGE Frank Clark - 1-year contract for $7 million
This year isn't the best one for edge rushers. So Poles reaches into his connections, bringing the former Pro Bowler from Kansas City to Chicago. Clark only had five sacks last season, but he had 2.5 in the playoffs and 17 QB hits. He can still put plenty of pressure on the quarterback.
OL Wes Schweitzer - 2-year contract for $6 million
Finding a starting interior offensive lineman will be difficult in this market. However, there are some quality backups available. Schweitzer is one of them. He has experience at center and both guard positions.
The Draft:
1st Round - Peter Skoronski, OL, Northwestern
Poles makes his commitment to Justin Fields clearer than ever. After solidifying the right tackle spot in free agency, they fortify the interior at left guard. Many view Skoronski as the best lineman in this draft. He's big, tough, quick, and a technician with his hands and feet. If not for his shorter-than-average arms, he would be an easy choice for a left tackle. Instead, he will move inside where he can be a dominant presence.
2nd Round (via BAL) - Felix Anudika-Uzomah, EDGE, Kansas State
He's not the biggest or longest, but he has enough of both attributes, along with burst and a non-stop motor. Some guys have a natural instinct for rushing the passer. It jumps out from Anudika-Uzomah on tape. He is a hunter. The scariest part is he's still relatively new to football. He is only getting started. With more refinement from this coaching staff, he can be an excellent pass rusher for them.
Trade: 61st pick to Titans for 72nd pick, 5th in 2023, 6th in 2023, and 4th in 2024
3rd Round - Joe Tippmann, C, Wisconsin
Chicago has put greater emphasis on length with this new regime. Tippmann is gigantic for a center but is also a better athlete than he gets credit for. He can move in space, pulling on runs or picking off linebackers at the second level. He couples this with a solid power base against bull rushes. His game has few holes, but he must learn to play with more consistent leverage.
3rd Round (via TEN) - Derick Hall, EDGE, Auburn
Good athlete, good length, and has outstanding character by all accounts. Henry has every tool necessary to be a good NFL player. His college production was solid but never quite crossed into the realm of prodigious. However, he showed improvement each year and would enter a defensive scheme tailor-made for his skills.
4th Round - Sam Laporta, TE, Iowa
Iowa's offensive schemes are a travesty, so it's difficult to see players shine in them. That said, Laporta was hard to miss. The big tight end was a constant presence in the passing game, demonstrating above-average speed and reliable hands. He's a perfect fit for the H-back role often prominent in the wide-zone offense. The Bears can move him around to create matchups.
4th Round (via PHI) - Eric Gray, RB, Oklahoma
Outside-zone running backs must have good vision, smooth footwork, quick cutting ability, and acceleration to get through holes right as they develop. Gray is that kind of runner. He doesn't have great power or breakaway speed but has enough of both to consistently gash defenses. Catching passes also isn't a problem for him.
5th Round - Dorian Williams, LB, Tulane
To be a linebacker in this 4-3 system, you need speed and must be able to tackle. Williams has both. He covers lots of ground, wraps up well, and improved in coverage as a senior. There are questions about his overall instincts, but he has enough ability to be a quality backup at least.
5th Round (via TEN) - Moro Ojomo, DT, Texas
While a good athlete overall, Ojomo lacks the desired burst and quickness to be an interior pass rusher. However, his mixture of size, power, and length should make him a quality nose tackle. The Bears' run defense was pitiful last season. This kid can help fortify that problem.
5th Round (via BAL) - Stetson Bennett, QB, Georgia
He doesn't have the pure talent of a top 15 NFL quarterback. Yet some guys just have that gamer mentality. Georgia doesn't win back-to-back national championships with Stetson Bennett. He's smart, instinctive, has accuracy as a passer, and moves better than he gets credit for. An ideal backup for Fields.
6th Round (via TEN) - Quindell Johnson, S, Memphis
This coaching staff covets ballhawks. They want turnovers. Johnson had ten interceptions and four forced fumbles in his college career. He got his hands on the football constantly. While not a premier athlete, he brings good size and instincts to the table.
7th Round - Nick Saldiveri, OL, Old Dominion
Saldiveri was an unknown when the off-season began. He turned some heads at the Senior Bowl when he showcased some impressive pass protection skills. There are things he has to work on, specifically his power base. That said, he has attributes that can give him a long career in the NFL.
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