The Chicago Bears know they are at a crossroads. They finished 8-8 and looked nothing like a team that was ready to compete for a Super Bowl. Their offense was a mess. Their defense gets a year older. It feels like that longstanding tradition of being unable to capitalize on another window of opportunity is coming to pass. That is unless the team decides to do something about it. Something bold.
It will start next month when free agency begins. This is typically the time of year that GM Ryan Pace tends to work his magic. Not a surprise given his background as a pro scout. Since the Bears have no 1st round pick, it might also be the only time where they can do anything of significance. That is why some surprises might be in store.
Here are a few bold predictions for what will happen when the action kicks off.
Chicago Bears bold predictions for free agency
They will cut Leonard Floyd
Going big right out of the gate! Ryan Pace stated rather clearly that the team likes Floyd. They strongly believe he plays a key role in this defense with his coverage ability and knack for playing the run. It's enough to offset his disappointing production as a pass rusher. This is in fact a ruse. The Bears are tired of waiting on Floyd to develop like they hoped. Rather than risk wasting another year of Khalil Mack's prime, they cut the former 1st round pick and secure that precious $13.222 million cap space for use elsewhere.
They will sign a premium cornerback
One persistent theme over the past few years is the Bears have quietly been aggressive on the cornerback market. They tried to sign Janoris Jenkins before he went to New York. Then they went after both Stephon Gilmore and A.J. Bouye before each signed elsewhere. With Prince Amukamara facing a possible exit, the Bears will move swiftly to find his replacement. Somebody who is a better fit for Chuck Pagano's scheme. They won't be afraid to spend some money either.
They will not sign a quarterback
So many names are getting thrown around as possible options for the Bears at quarterback. This is probably the most loaded free agent class at the position this side of the new millennium. Maybe ever. Not that it matters. The team isn't going to sign any of them. Pace said he's remaining committed to Trubisky and there is a significant amount of buzz around the league that reinforces this. They will stand pat at quarterback and devote all their resources elsewhere.
David Montgomery will get some competition
One must respect Montgomery for making the most of a bad situation. He was a rookie forced to run behind a struggling offensive line. At the end of the day, he managed over 1,000 yards from scrimmage. Not bad. Even so, don't be surprised when the Chicago Bears bring in somebody new who can give the backfield more juice. They need more explosiveness from that position. Montgomery can't provide it and Tarik Cohen didn't do it often enough. So they'll seek someone who can.
Somebody gets traded when the market opens
One thing that Pace traditionally never does is trade notable players. He did this back in 2016 with Martellus Bennett but that's only because he was a player the GM didn't acquire. To date, Pace has never done that with a player he himself had previously signed or drafted. That streak will end by the time things get going on March 18th. Somebody is getting traded. Could it be Cohen? Taylor Gabriel? Charles Leno Jr.? It's not clear but it will be somebody.
