Matt Eberflus and Justin Fields are likely gone after this season. The only uncertainty is whether GM Ryan Poles will join them. Conventional wisdom says the executive will get more time. Most GMs get a second shot at a head coach and the opportunity to pick their own quarterback. After only two seasons in charge, it's unlikely the McCaskeys will abandon him that quickly. So, this Chicago Bears 2024 mock offseason will focus on how he might approach fixing what remains broken with this team.
It will be a systematic approach, from hiring the coach to finding a quarterback. Everything will be measured on how he's handled every off-season so far.
This Chicago Bears 2024 mock offseason focuses on the trenches.
Head coaching change: Eric Bieniemy (Washington Commanders OC)
Since Poles is sticking around, he would look to somebody he might be familiar with. Obviously, he'll want a coach with an offensive background who understands how to work with quarterbacks. Poles worked with Bieniemy for years in Kansas City, winning a Super Bowl together in 2019. Bieniemy helped oversee the ascent of Patrick Mahomes to status as best in the NFL. Many felt he was nothing more than an Andy Reid mouthpiece, but his impressive work with Sam Howell in Washington suggests the man knows what he's doing. He has a reputation for intensity, detail, and flexibility.
Trades:
QB Justin Fields to the Atlanta Falcons for 3rd and 4th round picks
Strange as it sounds, that injury Fields suffered against Minnesota might be a blessing in disguise. People still have visions of his two explosive games against Denver and Washington. It leaves many wondering if the former 1st round pick still has the potential to be a franchise guy. All he needs is the proper structure around him. Atlanta has good reasons to feel they offer that with Arthur Smith as head coach and their array of weapons.
Jaylon Johnson to the Los Angeles Chargers for a 4th round pick
The Chargers have one of the worst pass defenses in the league through six weeks. Weakness at cornerback is a big reason for that. Johnson has familiarity with the type of defense head coach Brandon Staley runs. L.A. is in the mix of the playoff change. This is precisely the sort of move that makes sense for both teams.
Free agency:
EDGE Montez Sweat - 4-year deal for $68 million
Poles absolutely can't go another year without a pass rush. While he's insisted on building through the draft, the fact is he's working on a stricter timetable now. He has tons of money to spend. So he starts with finally adding a legitimate pass rusher. Sweat has become a consistent force in Washington. He had eight sacks last season and is on pace for 12 this year. He's big, strong, and a dynamic athlete.
WR Gabriel Davis - 3-year deal for $36 million
Chase Claypool got plenty of heat for not being a viable #2 target alongside D.J. Moore. Unfortunately, the same is proving true for Darnell Mooney. The Bears need somebody who can be a reliable target when Moore gets extra attention. Gabriel has already been doing that for Buffalo alongside Stefon Diggs. He's got size, strong hands, and runs good routes. The guy always seems to make big plays when you least expect them.
S Kyle Dugger - 3-year deal for $42 million
With Eddie Jackson gone, the Bears must find somebody who can play alongside Jaquan Brisker. Dugger has morphed into a capable player for New England with athleticism, physicality, and ball skills. The guy is around the football constantly and isn't afraid to let ball carriers feel his presence.
The Draft:
1st Round (#1 overall) - Caleb Williams, QB, USC
A debate has started on whether Williams should be the pick or if Drake Maye of North Carolina should be the choice. This comes after Williams' rough outing against Notre Dame last week. One game should not erase three years of excellent work. Part of this pick centers on his style of play. Many feel Williams, with his big-play mentality and improvisational skills, make him another Mahomes-type. It would make perfect sense to pair him with Bieniemy, who coached Mahomes for five years.
Trade: #2 pick and 5th round pick to Giants for #5 pick, 2nd in 2024, 1st in 2025, and 3rd in 2025
1st Round (#5 overall) - Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State
People won't be happy about passing on Marvin Harrison Jr. However, Poles isn't one to pass on an opportunity to stack future picks. So he gets a massive package from New York for Maye, still managing to land the best left tackle prospect in the class. Fashanu is big, long, and a freak athlete. His protection is a big reason why Penn State is having so much offensive success this year. Don't forget Braxton Jones' neck injury is a lingering concern. Chicago must fortify Williams' protection as much as possible.
Trade: #34 pick and 3rd in 2024 to Texans for #20 pick
1st Round (#20 overall) - Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama
No way this Chicago Bears 2024 mock offseason could finish without drafting a pass rusher. Rather than let the board fall his way this time, Poles gets aggressive, moving into the bottom half of the 1st round. There he lands Turner. While he's a bit lighter at 245 lbs, he has good size and length. He couples this with fluid athleticism and a quick first step. He has 19.5 sacks in his Alabama career and is having his best season in 2023 with seven sacks in seven games.
Trade: #37 pick to Titans for #40 pick and 4th round pick
2nd Round (via TEN) - Sedrick Van Pran, C, Georgia
Centers never get the spotlight on great teams, even though they should. Van Pran was a fixture on the two offensive lines that won national championships for Georgia. He's tough, physical, nasty, and intelligent. His game is polished and versatile, showing pass protection and run-blocking capability. He's not an elite athlete, but he is more than good enough.
3rd Round (via ATL) - Maason Smith, DT, LSU
If not for a freak knee injury early in 2022, Smith would likely be getting buzz as a 1st round prospect. He has size, strength, and explosion for a defensive tackle. He has all the necessary traits to be a perfect interior pass rusher. He isn't back to his old form yet, but he's made steady progress over the past month. You're seeing more and more flashes. This is a worthwhile gamble.
4th Round - Antwane Wells, WR, South Carolina
Wells looked like a budding star in his first year for the Gamecocks. Sadly, an injury has hampered his progress in 2023. That should not take away from his capability. He has good size, a thicker frame, runs sharp routes, and makes tougher catches look routine. He's also not easy to get on the ground. Nobody will mistake him for a burner, but he's more explosive than you'd think.
4th Round (via TEN) - Audric Estime, RB, Notre Dame
It's never bad having a tough running back that boasts explosive acceleration. Estime gets downhill fast once he sees the hole and is able to run through tackles without losing balance. His vision is solid, able to identify holes as they appear. Better still, he brings more versatility thanks to his pass-blocking.
4th Round (via ATL) - Mohamed Kamara, EDGE, Colorado State
Teams always focus on physical dimensions in the draft. That is understandable. You need to be a certain level of athlete to play in the NFL. That said, it's hard to ignore somebody with 26 sacks and 40 tackles for a loss in his college career. Kamara is a quarterback hunter who constantly surprises opponents with his motor and toolbox.
4th Round (via JAX) - Jordan Travis, QB, Florida State
Double dipping at quarterback in the same draft is rare, but it's happened before. Everybody remembers Washington taking Robert Griffin III and Kirk Cousins in the same draft. That worked out well. Williams might be the unquestioned guy, but there is no harm in adding some insurance. Travis is a good athlete who has developed into a much better pocket passer this season. He's efficient and doesn't turn the ball over.
4th Round (via PHI) - Cooper Beebe, OG, Kansas State
Poles continues investing in the offensive line. He loves physical dudes, and Beebee fits that mold. He gets after it in the ground game and has enough mobility to play in a zone scheme. If you challenge him head-to-head, he has the size and power to make you irrelevant. The question is whether he can improve his footwork to handle quicker defensive linemen.
