Chicago Bears Mock Offseason: Ryan Pace plays some chess

Ryan Pace has never been one to sit on his hands when it comes to a Chicago Bears offseason. One way or another, he always seems to be aggressive. This has been his style ever since he took over. Either you get better or you get worse. Teams take a long time to get better if they simply hang back and let the chips fall where they may. With the Bears now appearing so close to a Super Bowl run, there has to be a sense of urgency in the building. They could be as little as 2-3 moves away from taking it the distance. It's a matter of how they approach the coming offseason from dealing with their own free agents to free agency itself and the draft. There is any number of options open to them. Looking upon the landscape though and knowing how Pace tends to operate, here is a breakdown of how things could go over the next two months.

Re-signings:

• Bryce Callahan (CB) - 4-year, $34 million ($15 million guaranteed)
• Isaiah Irving (EDGE) - ERFA tender ($645,000)
• Rashaad Coward (OT) - ERFA tender ($645,000)
• Roy Robertson-Harris (DE) - ERFA tender ($645,000)
• Daniel Brown (TE) - 1-year, $805,000 deal
• Patrick Scales (LS) - 1-year, $720,000 deal
• DeAndre Houston-Carson - 1-year, $720,000 deal
• Pat O'Donnell - 1-year, $1.5 million deal
• Chase Daniel - 2-year, $10 million extension ($3.5 million in cap freed up)

It's not the ideal scenario, but it's one the Bears can live with. They are able to secure their starting slot corner in Bryce Callahan for another four years, though it does cost them Adrian Amos. Such is the difficulty of living in a world with a salary cap. With Callahan secure, the rest of the moves are mostly about depth and special teams consideration with the exception of Daniel getting an extension. This not only keeps the experienced backup in Chicago for the future, it also gives them a needed bump in cap space for what comes next.

Cap space remaining: $15.45 million

Free agency:

Carlos Hyde (RB) - 1-year, $3 million deal

A former high draft choice who has had a difficult career that was largely out of his control. He played under a different head coach every season he was in San Francisco, had to play under Hue Jackson for two years in Cleveland and then barely played at all during his brief stint in Jacksonville. Hyde has versatile talent. He can run the ball well and is a consistently productive threat out of the backfield. [video width="1280" height="720" mp4="https://www.sportsmockery.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Carlos-Hyde-Powerful-2-TD-Game💪-Rams-vs.-49ers-Wk-3-Player-Highlights.mp4"][/video]

Levin Toilolo (TE) - 1-year, $1.75 million deal

Most people will be turned off by this signing because Toilolo has already proven himself to be lacking in receiving department as a tight end. The thing is that's not why the Bears are signing him here. People often overlook how good of a blocker the veteran is. Last season he was #1 at his position in pass protection, allow zero pressures in 74 pass blocking snaps. He could be so useless in helping Mitch Trubisky take that next step.

A.J. Cann (OG) - 1-year, $1 million deal

The former 2nd round pick looked like he was ascending in a big way in 2016 and 2017 but he fell back to earth with a rough 2018. It's clear he needs a change of scenery. At age 27 he's still got plenty of time to correct his issues. Working with Harry Hiestand might do wonders for him. Meanwhile, the Bears gain a veteran depth piece for their offensive line who could potentially replace Kyle Long in the future.

Terrell Suggs (EDGE) - 1-year, $4.5 million deal

The veteran pass rusher and likely future Hall of Famer may not be in his prime anymore, but he continues to prove his prowess for sacking the QB. He had seven in 2018 and would at least be a decent part of the rotation opposite Khalil Mack and Leonard Floyd. A definite upgrade over Aaron Lynch from last season. [video width="1280" height="720" mp4="https://www.sportsmockery.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Terrell-Suggs.mp4"][/video]

Henry Anderson (DE) - 1-year, $2.5 million deal

Anderson had himself a nice season in 2018 for the Jets, racking up seven sacks. Nobody would call him a star but he can be a decent starter. The key here is he has prior connections to Chuck Pagano, who helped draft him back in 2015. A reunion would give the Bears another piece to put on that already strong defensive front.

J.J. Wilcox (S) - 1-year, $805,000 deal

The loss of Amos will put a serious dent into the strong safety position. Pace has to at least seek out some veteran depth until a solution can be found. J.J. Wilcox has never been anything special but he has lots of starting experience and could prove a decent stopgap for a year until the Bears can find somebody more to their liking.

Cap space remaining: $2.87 million

Trades:

Jordan Howard and a 3rd round pick to the Bills for a 2nd round pick

Teams always seem more open to the idea of giving up pick position rather than picks. So rather than take a likely 4th or 5th round choice for Howard, the Bears do the unconventional. They package him with their 3rd rounder in a deal with the running back needy Bills to secure a 2nd round choice. This effectively launches them from the 87th slot to the 40th slot, giving Pace a far greater chance to land an instant impact player.

Roy Robertson-Harris to the Broncos for a 5th round pick

Football is a business at the end of the day. Sometimes the necessary part of the business is buying players low and selling them high. The Bears would likely prefer to keep Robertson-Harris, but they only have so much money to throw around on defense. With Bilal Nichols poised for a big jump in 2019, dealing him for a 5th rounder is more than fair compensation. Denver has two at their disposal and the coach who molded Robertson-Harris into a good player

Cap space remaining: $5.02 million

NFL Draft:

2nd Round (via BUF): Taylor Rapp, S, Washington

The loss of Adrian Amos is difficult, but as stated before sacrifices are necessary at times. The Bears certainly don't waste long trying to find his replacement. Taylor Rapp is viewed by some to be the best safety in the draft. While not a premier coverage type, his mixture of intelligence, instinct and aggressiveness make for a player that is constantly around the football. He doesn't make mistakes often and can be another cerebral player on the back end. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QrWBhFuR9w&t=

4th Round: Trayveon Williams, RB, Texas A&M

Williams did a lot of good for his draft stock with over 1,500 yards rushing and 15 touchdowns in his first year as a starter for Texas A&M in 2018. He followed that with a solid showing at the scouting combine, running a 4.51 in the 40. So why does he fall to the 4th? He's only 5'8. Teams are wary of backs with size concerns though Williams is 208 lbs. So he's built well. He can run the ball and proved to be a reliable receiver out of the backfield too.

5th Round (via DEN): Jordan Brailford, EDGE, Oklahoma State

Pass rusher depth is never a bad thing. Signing Suggs is only a temporary measure. The Bears need more young options. Brailford suffers from some size and athletic limitations, but when it comes to rushing the quarterback there's something there. He has strength to him along with a quick first step and violent hands. He may never be a starter but he could end up filling that situational pass rusher role perfectly.

5th Round: Anthony Johnson, WR, Buffalo

The Bears now have speed and quickness at wide receiver with Taylor Gabriel and Anthony Miller. Not to mention Allen Robinson. What they could use more of is size and strength. Somebody who can play the physical style and make tough catches in traffic. That is the sort of game Anthony Johnson plays. He's 6'2, played basketball, and brings an added dimension as a blocker. Something the Bears need more of.

7th Round: Kendall Sheffield, CB, Ohio State

One has to feel so bad for Kendall Sheffield. He had lukewarm draft stock going into the combine due to some consistency issues at Ohio State, but it was always clear he was an athlete. That would be his chance to prove it and then he tore his pectoral on the bench press. Brutal timing. He's unlikely to play now in 2019. However, his sheer athletic upside would make him a good stash player for the future.

7th Round (via PHI): Jackson Barton, OT, Utah

The offensive line may be set for the Bears but depth is always important. Barton has physical attributes teams like from a big body to strength and a nasty streak. What he lacks is any sort of consistent blocking mechanics. There's a lot to be cleaned up in his game and the Bears have somebody perfect for that in Harry Hiestand. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fR6Op3qMg_8

Undrafted Free Agency:

John Baron (K, San Diego State)

Pace said he's hoping to find a kicker this offseason who has more of a leg. Somebody who can have success in the swirling winds of Soldier Field. John Baron demonstrated that at San Diego State, going an impressive 6-of-8 from beyond 50 yards during his time in college. So he has plenty of leg. The tricky part will be adjusting to the fact he's a left-footed kicker, something that is rare in the NFL.