Things are slowly coming into focus as the season crosses the halfway point. This Chicago Bears 2024 mock offseason is about accepting reality. Once again, the organization has no clarity at the quarterback or head coaching positions. Justin Fields is in danger of missing his fourth game of the season. Matt Eberflus has five wins in 26 games. There isn't much to say. Neither man has done enough to justify earning another year at the helm of this franchise. Changes are needed.
Will GM Ryan Poles be the one making them? It looks that way. There is a lot of work to do if he's going to get this organization out of the basement. Here is one way he might be able to do it.
This Chicago Bears 2024 mock offseason is about resetting the clock.
Regime changes:
Head coach - Ben Johnson
Everything points to the Bears making a change at quarterback next spring. Poles will want to start over at the position with his own guy. If that's the case, Matt Eberflus can't be trusted to develop whoever it is. To find proper stability, they must secure an offensive-minded head coach who can grow with him over time. Johnson has become one of the hottest names in the NFL thanks to his work with the Detroit Lions. He's overseen the career renaissance of Jared Goff. In 25 games together, the QB has 41 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Detroit is 6th in passing and 6th in rushing this year, averaging 25 points per game. Johnson is only 36 years old. There is risk going after him this early, but his results can't be argued.
Trades:
QB Justin Fields and Bears' 1st rounder in 2025 to Atlanta for #12 pick and 3rd in 2025
The Bears get creative here. Atlanta is too far out of range for a top quarterback. Rather than gamble one of the next-tier guys, they decide to take a chance on Fields. Ryan Pace is down there. They have weapons and a good offensive coach. The key for Poles is securing another 1st round pick in 2024. To do that, he sacrificed the Bears' 1st in 2025. While this will be a tough loss, the deal ensures the Bears will have two 2nd and two 3rd round picks that year. So, it can be a worthwhile sacrifice.
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:
- DT Justin Madubuike - 4-year deal for $92 million
- WR Tyler Boyd - 2-year deal for $16 million
- TE Austin Hooper - 1-year deal for $3 million
The Bears have struggled to find that definitive interior pass rush presence for two years. Justin Jones is a bust. Gervon Dexter and Zacch Pickens haven't flashed enough yet. So they decide to throw another big contract at the defensive line. Madubuike is on track for over 10 sacks this season in Baltimore. Boyd is a savvy veteran receiver who is perfect for slot duties. Hooper is a well-rounded tight end who would be a good backup to Cole Kmet.
The Draft:
1st Round (#2 overall via CAR) - Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
Arizona goes the expected route by taking Caleb Williams. That leaves this Chicago Bears 2024 mock offseason at a critical juncture. Is the regime comfortable with Drake Maye as their future? In this instance, the answer is yes. Maye is a tremendous physical talent. He has size, arm strength, and enough mobility to be a threat with his legs. His style of play draws many comparisons to Justin Herbert, and his ability in the pocket has improved from last season. He's not as experienced in big games as Williams, but he's far more battle-tested than Mitch Trubisky was.
1st Round (#3 overall) - Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
In almost any other scenario, the smart thing to do here would be to draft a top left tackle. However, Harrison is an ultra-rare exception. The Buckeyes receiver is the total package. He's big, fast, wicked as a route-runner, and seems to have the natural instincts for big plays. When people think about elite wide receivers, these are the guys they talk about. Pairing him with D.J. Moore for Maye to exploit feels like a no-brainer decision. It would be almost impossible for defenses to contain.
1st Round (#12 overall via ATL) - Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama
Poles' bold move pays off. By trading Fields and the 1st rounder next year, he positions the Bears to land their last great need: a second pass rusher. Adding Montez Sweat was a great first step, but they still need an explosive presence on the other side. Turner has been that all season for the Crimson Tide, racking up seven sacks and 10.5 tackles for a loss in nine games. He's quick, agile, relentless, and has a large toolbox to beat opposing blockers. The guy can be an instant impact player.
3rd Round - Sedrick Van Pran, C, Georgia
The Lucas Patrick experiment at center has to end. It's time for the Bears to find somebody that can actually upgrade the position. People will get caught up in Van Pran's lack of elite size or athleticism and conveniently ignore the years of championship-level football he's played. The guy is a tough, relentless blocker in the run game and has the necessary intelligence and awareness to handle his business in pass protection.
4th Round - Jayden Hicks, S, Washington State
Eddie Jackson is gone. While a sad end to his run in Chicago, the Bears have to think about finding a replacement at free safety. Hicks is undersized at 5'10. Still, he's earned a reputation as an excellent ballhawk for the Cougars, snatching seven interceptions over the past two years. He finds the football with great instincts and enough range to give quarterbacks pause.
4th Round (via PHI) - Will Shipley, RB, Clemson
Splitting the carries in 2023 has masked how good Shipley is. He's a tremendous athlete, showcasing speed and quickness along with excellent vision to find the holes. His pass-catching ability stands out a lot, enabling him to create matchup advantages against opposing linebackers.
5th Round - Donovan Jackson, OG, Ohio State
There is no rule against constant investing in the offensive line. Jackson isn't quite the athlete compared to other guards in this class, but he's good enough. He couples that with good size, power, and nastiness in the run game. He's more than capable of being an NFL starter.
