It is never a fun experience to do a Chicago Bears 2025 mock offseason this early in the year. Yet anybody with eyes can see the team is crumbling. Head coach Matt Eberflus has lost control of things and players are getting restless. GM Ryan Poles has some tough decisions ahead of him in the coming months. It starts with finding out what to do with the man he hired to turn things around. Then he has to fix some key areas of the roster that clearly need work.
The first Chicago Bears 2025 mock offseason doesn't mess around.
Firings/Hirings:
Lions OC Ben Johnson replaces Matt Eberflus as head coach
Sometimes, the obvious choice is the right one. Johnson has produced a top-10 offense for three straight years in Detroit, elevating them to a Super Bowl contender in the process. He has proven beyond a doubt that he is one of the brightest young offensive minds in the league. He also expressed interest in the Bears' job last year, meaning he should again now that Caleb Williams is in town.
Cuts:
- Nate Davis - $9.5 million saved
- Gerald Everett - $5.5 million saved
There aren't many standout candidates for release who make sense aside from these two. Davis is an obvious one, having been a massive bust as a free agent addition. Everett was added more because of Waldron's presence. He won't be needed any longer as the offensive likely shifts back to Cole Kmet.
Re-signings:
- Teven Jenkins - 3-year deal for $30 million ($6 million cap hit in 2025)
- Jack Sanborn - RFA tender for $3.185 million
- Josh Blackwell - RFA tender for $3.185 million
- Jaylon Jones - 1-year deal for $1.1 million
- Doug Kramer - 1-year deal for $1.1 million
- Bill Murray - ERFA tender for $840,000
- Chris Williams - ERFA tender for $960,000
- Daniel Hardy - ERFA tender for $960,000
- Jonathan Owens - 1-year deal for $1.255 million
- Jacob Martin - 1-year deal for $1.255 million
Poles will spend most of his time shoring up depth on this front. The only notable move is choosing to sign Jenkins to an extension. Even though he has health concerns, he hasn't missed time this year and has mostly played well. Reloading most of the offensive line in one Chicago Bears 2025 mock offseason is almost impossible. So they decide to give him an incentive-laden deal with injury protections.
Free agency:
- OG Trey Smith - 4-year deal for $84 million ($12 million cap hit in 2025)
- EDGE Josh Sweat - 3-year deal for $54 million ($12 million cap hit in 2025)
- TE Austin Hooper - 1-year deal for $1.255 million
- WR Nick Westbrook-Ikhine - 1-year deal for $1.9 million
Poles may not like spending big in free agency, but he has little choice. Smith is one of the best guards in the league. Kansas City has already paid big money to center Creed Humphrey. That could make him the odd man out, and he'd be an immediate upgrade to the Bears interior. On the other side, they finally get a proven #2 edge rusher across from Montez Sweat. One with the same last name, no less. Josh Sweat has posted at least six sacks in every season since 2020. Hooper and Westbrook-Ikhine provide decent depth.
The Draft:
1st Round - Will Campbell, OT, LSU
Top offensive tackle from a top program. Campbell has the full toolbox with size, length, power, and athleticism. He has become a dependable pass protector and has the ability to play in any offense. Braxton Jones hasn't done enough to justify seeking an upgrade on Williams' blind side.
2nd Round - Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan
When people see a guy who weighs 340 lbs, they immediately think he's just a lumbering nose tackle. What makes Grant terrifying is he moves like somebody 300 lbs. He has a quick first step, great athleticism, a hot motor, and has plenty of growing still to do. The Bears need more interior depth with Andrew Billings' pec injury.
2nd Round - Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina
One thing to remember about Ben Johnson's offense is he loves to run the ball. For that, he needs a good stable of backs. D'Andre Swift isn't a complete player. Hampton has a great mix of size, speed, and power. He runs with violence, contact balance, and vision. He's also a dependable pass catcher.
3rd Round - Parker Brailsford, C, Alabama
Finding a stable starter at center has been a challenge for the Bears going back years. In situations like this, the best thing to do is take somebody who is smart and experienced. Brailsford is both of those things, along with a great athlete. He has started 23 games, many of them in high-profile matchups against top competition.
5th Round - Dylan Fairchild, OG, Georgia
Sometimes, you just have to take a powerful and nasty guy. Georgia always produces guys like that, and Fairchild is no exception. He gets after it and has also really progressed with his fundamentals.
6th Round (via PIT) - Hunter Wohler, S, Wisconsin
Jaquan Brisker may not have a future in Chicago due to his growing concussion issues. The team has to start preparing for that possibility. Wohler has a similar style: physical, instinctive, smart, and aggressive.
7th Round (via CLE) - Jimmy Horn Jr., WR, Colorado
History says you rarely go wrong by dipping into bloodlines with professional sports. Horn's father was a terrific receiver in New Orleans. He's found success at Colorado. Perhaps he could build on that in Chicago.
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