The loss in Detroit was a departure point in several ways. For the first time, fans recognized that Justin Fields might not be the biggest problem with this team. Head coach Matt Eberflus had the game won with four minutes left and his defense failed to shut the door on two opportunities. Combine that with some baffling situational decision-making, and it's time to ask whether a change might still rescue Fields' career. That is what this Chicago Bears 2024 mock offseason is all about.
GM Ryan Poles decides to continue building the roster around his young quarterback. The team has good pieces in place. One more push and the right addition at head coach might finally push them into playoff contention. This may require a somewhat bold decision.
This Chicago Bears 2024 mock offseason fully commits to Fields.
Head coach change:
Bears hire Ohio State head coach Ryan Day to replace Matt Eberflus
The challenge for the Bears is finding a coach who won't want to immediately dump Fields in favor of taking Caleb Williams or Drake Maye in the draft. The best option is going with the guy who turned Fields into a star in college. Day has kept Ohio State a powerhouse thanks to excellent recruiting and his ongoing prowess as an offensive play caller. His ability to work to his quarterback's strengths is well-documented. He will know exactly how to do that with Fields. He's still only 44 years old and does have some NFL experience, spending 2015 with the Eagles and 2016 with the 49ers.
Cuts:
- OL Cody Whitehair - $9.15 million saved
- S Eddie Jackson - $12.56 million saved
Re-signings/Extensions:
- CB Jaylon Johnson - 4-year extension for $72 million
- K Cairo Santos - 3-year extension for $10.5 million
- C Lucas Patrick - 1-year deal for $1.21 million
- WR Equanimeous St. Brown - 1-year deal for $1.125 million
- CB Josh Blackwell - ERFA deal for $915,000
- CB Greg Stroman - 1-year deal for $1.125 million
- LB Dylan Cole - 1-year deal for $1.125 million
- LS Patrick Scales - 1-year deal for $1.21 million
Free Agency:
- C Lloyd Cushenberry - 4-year deal for $50 million
- EDGE Carl Lawson - 1-year deal for $3 million
- TE Hunter Henry - 1-year deal for $5 million
- S Rudy Ford - 1-year deal for $3 million
There is no way this Chicago Bears 2024 mock offseason can pass without taking a significant swing at center. It is the one piece missing from their offensive line. Cushenberry has blossomed this season in Denver, allowing only six pressures on Russell Wilson. Retaining him will be a problem because of salary cap issues. Plugging him into the middle could be the final piece for this team. Ford is a cheap bridge option for Eddie Jackson at free safety. He's played well in Green Bay. Lawson gives them some edge rush depth.
The Draft:
1st Round (via CAR) - Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
With a commitment to Fields, the Bears' decision with the #1 pick becomes easy. Harrison Jr. is the best wide receiver prospect to come out of college since Julio Jones. He's big, fast, physical, and a sharp route-runner. He toys with defensive backs, beating them almost at will. If there is one can't-miss prospect in this class, it's him. The best part is he's joining the same head coach that made him a superstar in Chicago. Combining him with D.J. Moore is borderline unfair.
Trade: #4 pick to the Falcons for #8 pick, 2nd in 2024 and 1st in 2025.
1st Round (via ATL) - Jer'Zhan Newton, DT, Illinois
Poles once again works the board to his advantage, plucking another future 1st rounder from Atlanta to let them come up for a quarterback. Then he calmly plugs another massive hole in his roster. The Bears don't have a legitimate interior pass rush presence to complement Montez Sweat on the outside. That changes with Newton. His lightning quick off the snap and explodes through gaps, creating havoc in the backfield.
2nd Round (via ATL) - Princely Umanmielen, EDGE, Florida
The investments in the pass rush continue. Umanmielen has improved every year for the Gators and is having his best season with 6.5 sacks and 11 tackles for a loss in 11 games. This comes despite the poor use of his tools by the coaching staff. He's bendy, explosive, athletic, and has the long arms to keep tackles off his body. Once his technique catches up to the raw ability, he will be a problem.
3rd Round - Rod Moore, S, Michigan
Replacing Jackson at free safety won't be easy. Still, this Chicago Bears 2024 mock offseason gives it a strong swing with Moore. He's got the athleticism, range, and instincts for the position. Fooling him in the passing game is rarely possible. The concern teams will have is with his slender 185-pound frame. Adding some weight would go a long way toward easing those concerns. He would be a perfect complement to Jaquan Brisker.
4th Round - Theo Johnson, TE, Penn State
Evaluating tight ends can often be difficult because they aren't offensive focal points or suffer from quarterback issues. For Johnson, it's both. Still, if you want him long enough you'll recognize the big tight end is a great athlete with loads of pass-catching potential. His background as a former wide receiver helps with that. He can become an excellent complimentary piece alongside Cole Kmet.
4th Round (via PHI) - Donovan Jackson, OG, Ohio State
Poles will never stop investing in the offensive line. Nor should he. Jackson doesn't get the same buzz as some of his Buckeye teammates, but his presence is impossible to miss up front. He's big, long, and physical. His nasty demeanor is exactly what the Bears look for in blockers, and he has enough athleticism to play in their zone running scheme.
5th Round - Frank Gore Jr., RB, Southern Miss
Another legacy pick. The son of the future Hall of Fame running back, Gore Jr. has made a name for himself in college over the past two years with 2800 total yards and 21 touchdowns. He's a patient runner with good vision, great quickness, and the ability to make people miss. His agility and deceptive power make him a major problem in the open field. He is exactly what the Bears are missing at running back.
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