Nobody would've expected a Chicago Bears 2024 mock offseason this early in the season. Yet here we are. The Bears are 0-3, their worst start since 2016. That team ended up going 3-13. Current signs indicate this team won't be much better. They already finished 3-14 last year, and it feels like this group is somehow worse. The defense is among the worst in the NFL, and quarterback Justin Fields is floundering. Nothing has gone right. A loss on Sunday to Denver all but guarantees to sink their season.
It also could guarantee yet another full organizational reset. The losing by itself is bad enough. What has made it worse is the string of controversies that have unfolded. Fields called out the coaching staff. The defensive coordinator resigned due to "inappropriate" behavior. Fans are ready to flush the whole thing. So, let's take a look at what might happen if they do that.
This Chicago Bears 2024 mock offseason is about getting serious.
Regime changes:
General manager - Tom Gamble
This isn't a hot name people have heard about lately, but don't let that fool you. Gamble might be working at Michigan right now, but he has an extensive history in the NFL as a scout and executive. He was a part of the San Francisco 49ers front office that got them to three consecutive NFC championships in the early 2010s. Then, he assisted the Philadelphia Eagles with their outstanding 2013 draft class that produced Lane Johnson, Zach Ertz, and Jordan Poyer. His brief return to San Francisco in 2015 and 2016 saw them land Arik Armstead, Trent Brown, and DeForest Buckner. Since then, he's helped Michigan return to prominence as a national powerhouse.
Head coach - Jim Harbaugh
Plenty of people won't like this, believing Harbaugh is overrated and an unnecessary distraction. Yet one thing can't be argued. He wins. He's won everywhere he has coached, both in college and the NFL. Everybody knows about his connection to Chicago, having quarterbacked the team for several years. He loves the city, and rumors suggest he views the Bears as his dream job. He also has a relationship with Kevin Warren from his time as Big Ten commissioner. Obviously, he's worked with Gamble for years. If ever there was a chance for harmony at the top of the organization, this is it.
Trades:
QB Justin Fields to the Falcons for a 4th round pick
Presuming the season continues down its current path, the Bears have no reason to further the Fields experiment beyond the trade deadline. Atlanta has question marks of their own at quarterback. Arthur Smith is a proven offensive mind. Ryan Pace, who drafted Fields, works in their front office. Georgia is also Fields' home state. It seems as good of a landing spot as any.
WR Darnell Mooney to the Patriots for a 5th round pick
It's clear whatever magic Mooney had two years ago in 2021 is gone. The Bears haven't been able to get him going since they changed coaching staff. New England has question marks at the wide receiver position. They could make use of somebody with his skill set.
CB Jaylon Johnson to the Cowboys for 5th and 7th round picks
The injury to star cornerback Trevon Diggs was devastating for Dallas. Replacing him will be almost impossible. While Johnson may not be the turnover machine Diggs is, he's a capable cover cornerback who should fit in well with their defensive system.
S Eddie Jackson to the Chargers for a 5th round pick
L.A. head coach Brandon Staley knows Jackson well from their time together under Vic Fangio. He is fully aware of what the former All-Pro can do. The idea of pairing him with star Derwin James has to sound appealing for the Chargers, and it gets Chicago free of Jackson's contract.
Re-signings/Extensions:
DT Andrew Billings - 1-year deal for $3.5 million
The only free agent that has been earning his money thus far is Billings. He's been a strong presence against the run, as expected, but has even added to it with surprising ability as an interior pass rusher. While hopes remain high for Gervon Dexter and Zacch Pickens, this is a player they should keep around.
CB Josh Blackwell - 1-year exclusive rights deal for $915,000
He's quickly proving himself to be one of their best special teams players and is also a serviceable backup at the nickel cornerback position. This is an easy decision.
LS Patrick Scales - 1-year deal for $1.21 million
If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Even entering his late 30s, scales remains one of the most dependable long snappers in the league. Might as well keep him until that changes.
Cuts:
- EDGE Dominique Robinson - $916,000 saved
- OL Cody Whitehair - $9.15 million saved
- RB Travis Homer - $1.9 million saved
Robinson has clearly shown to this point that he offers little to the defense. He still hasn't cracked the code as a pass rusher, and his run defense isn't much better. Whitehair remains serviceable on the interior, but he's getting older and too expensive at this point. Homer has special teams value, but he's not worth that price tag.
Free Agency:
EDGE Brian Burns - 4-year deal for $96 million
No more messing around. Chicago has well over $100 million again in 2024. They need to put some of that money to good use. Defensive line is a top priority. Burns posted 12.5 sacks last year and already has three through three games this season. He's big, long, athletic, and relentless. The Chicago Bears need a difference-maker up front. This is that guy.
EDGE Chase Young - 4-year deal for $72 million
Not done yet. In an unprecedented move, the Bears invest another huge contract at edge rusher, this time for the former #2 overall pick. He comes a bit cheap due to the recent bout with a knee injury that ruined his 2021 and 2022 seasons. However, he now has 1.5 sacks in two games for Washington and appears to be back to his old self. He and Burns together could be devastating.
WR K.J. Osborn - 3-year deal for $27 million
With Mooney and Chase Claypool out of the picture, the Bear must get somebody who can complement D.J. Moore. There might be no more overlooked player in the NFL than Osborn. He's lived in the shadow of Justin Jefferson for years but has routinely made big plays for his team when given opportunities.
C Lloyd Cushenberry - 2-year deal for $14 million
Settling the center position has been a nightmare for the Bears going back years. Cushenberry isn't a star by any means. However, he's experienced, young, and has proven dependable as a pass protector. He should make for a nice bridge option until somebody better comes along.
The Draft:
1st Round (#1 overall) - Caleb Williams, QB, USC
There is no way this Chicago Bears 2024 mock offseason concludes without a QB change. Many put the Trojans star in the same bracket as Andrew Luck and Trevor Lawrence coming out of college. That is high praise and not undeserved. There are many things Williams can do that are special. His arm strength is excellent, but his accuracy at all levels is what really stands out. His ability to improvise might be his greatest strength. It's why many compare him to Patrick Mahomes. If given a proper structure, he will be a star in the NFL that can carry a franchise.
1st Round (#4 overall) - Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State
For those asking, Marving Harrison Jr. is not on the board. The Bears have also already addressed the edge rusher positions. That allows them to find their new quarterback a franchise left tackle. With all due respect to Braxton Jones, he is not Fashanu. The Penn State product is a physical specimen with size, athleticism, and length. His pass protection skills are already advanced, and he improves each week. All the things people say Jones can't do? Fashanu can.
2nd Round - Maason Smith, DT, LSU
If not for an ACL tear that ruined his 2022 season, there is no way Smith goes in the 2nd round. His mixture of size, length, burst, and flexibility is ultra-rare. He's sturdy enough to hold up against the run and has massive upside as an interior pass rusher.
3rd Round - Troy Franklin, WR, Oregon
Oregon quarterback Bo Nix has experienced quite a revival, and much of his recent success is owed to Franklin. The 6'2 receiver brings blazing speed to the table and with quality route-running skills. He's somewhat thin for his height, but he plays tough and can be a matchup nightmare.
4th Round - Erick All, TE, Iowa
No program has become better at churning out tight ends than Iowa. George Kittle is already a star. Sam LaPorta might be going that way as well. All could be another in that line. He's big and fast for his size. He can catch the ball naturally, too.
4th Round (via ATL) - Bryce Foster, OL, Texas A&M
Having been unable to finagle one of the top centers in the draft, the Bears opt to go for Foster at this spot. He can play center or guard, giving him good versatility. He's a punishing run blocker with good athleticism and has steadily improved his pass protection.
4th Round (via PHI) - Bud Clark, S, TCU
You can't teach ball skills. Clark has been a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks the past two seasons, posting seven interceptions in 16 games. Throwing the ball in his vicinity is a dangerous gamble. While he might not be the explosive athlete Jackson was, he has size, length, and plenty of instincts.
5th Round (via NE) - Andre Carter, EDGE, Indiana
It took some time, but it appears Carter has begun to develop into a quality pass rusher over the past two seasons. He's big, strong, and quick. That enables him to play both inside and outside, creating matchup advantages based on the opponent.
5th Round (via LAC) - Austin Jones, RB, USC
Jones obviously isn't the focal point of USC's offense, but it's obvious the running back is a weapon. He is effective as a runner but is particularly dangerous as a pass-catcher. His feet are quick and there are no vision problems since he routinely finds the right lanes.
5th Round (via DAL) - Ricky Pearsall, WR, Florida
By now, people have seen the ridiculous one-handed catch Pearsall made last week. That demonstrates both his excellent hand-eye coordination and ability to hang onto the ball after a hit. He has good size and plays the position with intelligence and nuance.
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