Before people lose their minds, please understand this. The point of every Chicago Bears 2023 mock offseason isn't discussing what the team will do. It's about exploring what they could do. It was time to consider the alternative after exhausting every plausible scenario in which GM Ryan Poles can unload the #1 overall pick. What would happen if the Bears traded Justin Fields? Do note that this isn't my personal preference. It is exploring a scenario that many around the NFL seem to think is at least a possibility.
Fields had a mixed season in 2022. He was an electric runner. One of the most dangerous in football. He was also an up-and-down passer. There are still glaring flaws in his process as a pocket quarterback. Some of that can be blamed on his inadequate protection and unreliable receivers—however, not all of it. There is no denying his talent, but some guys never quite grasp how to play the position. If Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus have doubts he'll get there, then here is how they might pivot.
This Chicago Bears 2023 mock offseason is about that what-if.
Trade:
QB Justin Fields to the Seahawks for the #5 pick and #20 pick
Seattle feels like the perfect destination for Fields. They are well-equipped to offer a big package for him with two 1sts in this draft, and they'd still have plenty of ammo after the trade. It would enable Seattle to avoid paying Geno Smith a massive contract extension and would be a talent upgrade at the position. Fields has often drawn comparisons to Russell Wilson. Pete Carroll helped turn Wilson into a superstar. It's a deal that makes sense for both sides.
Re-signings/Extensions:
- 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:
- DT Dre’Mont Jones – 4-year contract for $58 million
- OT Kaleb McGary – 4-year contract for $52 million
- LB Bobby Okereke – 3-year contract for $25.5 million
- EDGE Marcus Davenport - 1-year contract for $12 million
- DT A'Shawn Robinson - 1-year contract for $2.5 million
It's all about the trenches here. Jones is the interior pass rusher they desperately need, averaging at least five sacks each of the past three years. McGary is a big, athletic tackle that is perfect for the Bears' zone-blocking scheme. Okereke will bolster an undermanned linebacking corps and brings plenty of experience in this defense from his time in Indianapolis. Davenport is a calculated risk. His 2022 was a major disappointment, but he's played very good football in the past. So he signs a one-year deal to hopefully revive his stock and land a lucrative contract in 2024. Robinson is the quintessential nose tackle that plugs running lanes.
The Draft:
1st Round - Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
Plenty of people won't like this. The primary criticism of Young is understandable. He's small. Being 5'11 and 195 lbs will make him susceptible to injuries in the NFL. That said, everything else about him screams NFL quarterback. His poise, pocket awareness, processing speed, and accuracy are all excellent. While he isn't a pure runner, he has more mobility than he gets credit for. This is not the kind of prospect you bet against. As long as the team drafting him provides adequate protection up front, Young will find success.
1st Round (via SEA) - Will Anderson, EDGE, Alabama
In a stroke of good fortune, a rush to snag QBs in the top five after the Bears went with Young causes Anderson to slip down the board just enough for them to snag him at #5. That means they got arguably the best quarterback and the best pass rusher in the same draft. Anderson is an athletic, long, high-effort player with a bevy of different moves to beat blockers. He can attack from either edge spot and be even more dangerous if he adds a few extra pounds of muscle to his frame.
- Trade: #20 pick to Cowboys for #26 pick, 3rd in 2023 and 4th in 2023
- Trade: #26 pick and 4th in 2023 to Saints for #29 pick and 3rd in 2023
1st Round (via NO) - John Michael Schmitz, C, Minnesota
Center was a prominent sore spot for the Bears throughout 2022. Lucas Patrick couldn't stay healthy. Sam Mustipher was underwhelming as a backup. This team desperately needs stability in the middle. Michael Schmitz is the best zone center in this class. He's quick, mobile, intelligent, and experienced. He can handle all the calls and showed he has more than enough power to handle bigger defensive tackles at the Senior Bowl. The guy is a plug-and-play starter that can anchor the interior for a decade.
2nd Round (via BAL) - Trenton Simpson, LB, Clemson
Analysts initially projected Simpson to go in the 1st round. His mixture of size, athleticism, and freakish speed made him a tantalizing prospect. It appears his stock has cooled. While he has excellent potential, it's also evident how new he is to the position. The instincts aren't quite there yet. That won't scare Eberflus in this Bears 2023 mock offseason. He'll immediately see the perfect weak-side linebacker for this defense.
3rd Round - Julius Brents, CB, Kansas State
Athleticism and length. Those were two big keys for Eberflus when evaluating players. Brents has both. He proved that at the Senior Bowl when he shut down almost every receiver he lined up against. His 2022 season also showed his potential as a ballhawk with four interceptions.
3rd Round (via NO) - Jayden Reed, WR, Michigan State
Another Senior Bowl breakout star. Reed was already a good player at Michigan State, but the blah offensive system and below-average quarterbacks made it hard for him to shine. When he began toasting defensive backs in Mobile, people became wise to his potential mixture of speed, quickness, and route running.
3rd Round (via DAL) - Cody Mauch, OL, North Dakota State
He made a name for himself as a tackle in college with his quickness, power, and nasty disposition. Given his lack of overall length, expectations are he will move inside to guard. This guy is a tone-setter. He'll need to clean up his footwork in pass protection, but this is the type of player Poles is looking for.
4th Round (via DAL) - Marvin Mims, WR, Oklahoma
The best way to describe Mims is another Darnell Mooney type. He's undersized at 5'11, 182 lbs. However, he makes up for it with blazing speed and plenty of capability as a route-runner. He also has the ability to create after the catch, which is why he's also dangerous on punt returns.
4th Round (via PHI) - Chase Brown, RB, Illinois
This is the change-of-pace back the Bears need. While not a traditional power runner, Brown is a speedy threat that can get to the perimeter quickly. His natural pass-catching ability is a big selling point, and he runs with good patience and adequate vision. Even better is his surprisingly effective pass protection.
5th Round - Quindell Johnson, S, Memphis
The Eddie Jackson foot injury leaves his long-term status in Chicago uncertain. There is nothing wrong with seeking some insurance. Johnson showcases excellent ball-hawking skills and isn't afraid to do the dirty work around the line of scrimmage. He has good size and adequate athleticism.
5th Round - Antonio Mafi, OG, UCLA
Blockers in a zone offense typically need to be good athletes to function. While Mafi isn't a terrible athlete, he isn't known for his standout mobility. That said, he makes up for it with power, anchor, and a mean streak a mile long. He can gain some range by dropping weight.
7th Round - Zach Kuntz, TE, Old Dominion
You can't teach 6'8. That is how big Kuntz is. Yet his ability isn't just being tall. He runs well for his size and has a reliable pair of hands. If he can master the art of route running at the next level, this is somebody that will have a far better pro career than a college career.
Depth chart projection for 2023:
Offense
- QB: Bryce Young
- RB: David Montgomery
- WR: Darnell Mooney
- WR: Chase Claypool
- WR: Jayden Reed
- TE: Cole Kmet
- LT: Braxton Jones
- LG: Cody Mauch
- C: John Michael Schmitz
- RG: Teven Jenkins
- RT: Kaleb McGary
Defense
- EDGE: Will Anderson Jr.
- DT: Dre'Mont Jones
- DT: A'Shawn Robinson
- EDGE: Marcus Davenport
- MLB: Jack Sanborn
- SLB: Bobby Okereke
- WLB: Trenton Simpson
- CB: Jaylon Johnson
- CB: Kyler Gordon
- S: Eddie Jackson
- S: Jaquan Brisker
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