Tuesday was the second day of the NFL's legal negotiation period before the new league year begins on Wednesday. The Chicago Bears have yet to make any significant additions to their offense, as Ryan Poles has yet to make any significant offensive signings during free agency. Although the 2022 season is shaping up to be a rebuilding year for the Bears, their offense led by second-year quarterback Justin Fields needs to be a quality unit.

Bears Have Too Many Young Players On Offense Not To Be Good

Although new head coach Matt Eberflus comes from a defensive background, Chicago's offense still needs to perform in 2022 as they have too many young quality players. Other than Fields, the Bears' offense will feature running back David Montgomery, wide receiver Darnell Mooney, and tight end Cole Kmet. All four players flashed during the 2021 season but need to demonstrate further growth in 2022. The development of Fields is the most significant part of Chicago's offense in 2022, as if the quarterback's play improves, that will raise the level of play for everyone else on offense. New offensive coordinator Luke Getsy will be in charge of implementing an offensive scheme for the Bears that yields better results than what was seen over the past four seasons with Matt Nagy. During Nagy's four seasons as Bears' head coach, the highest the offense ever ranked came during the 2018 season, when Chicago's offense was 21st ranked in the league. Although Poles needs to rebuild the Bears' offensive line and wide receiver position, Chicago still will need to rely on Fields, Montgomery, Mooney, and Kmet for their offense to be successful in 2022. With a solidified offensive line and an offensive scheme tailored to highlight the strengths of their young quarterback, Chicago's offense will need to be better than what was seen last season.

In 2022, Fields needs to show growth from his rookie season and demonstrate that he is a franchise quarterback and that the Bears' have a quarterback to build around moving forward. That means both Mooney and Kmet have to improve their numbers from 2021. The Bears' top wide receiver caught 81 passes in 2021, while their starting tight end recorded over 600 receiving yards. Both of these numbers need to improve this season.

Building A Successful Offensive Foundation In 2022 Is Paramount For Next Offseason

Knowing that the Bears have proven offensive pieces in place this season matters in determining what Poles can do during next year's offseason. Chicago is projected to have over 100 million dollars in salary cap space in 2023 and could have a high first-round draft selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, depending on their record. Ideally, if the Bears have the quarterback, running back, and tight end position secured following the 2022 season, Poles can spend lucratively for a top-level free agent wide receiver during free agency next offseason. Not needing to address the skill positions on the Bears' offense is vital, as, with the excess salary cap space and the potential high-level draft selections in 2023, Poles can rebuild Chicago's defense in one offseason. If Fields demonstrates that he is progressing as a franchise quarterback, it could enable the Bears' to trade their 2023 first-round draft pick for multiple picks to address more weaknesses on the roster.

If Chicago is a five or six-win team in 2022, but the offense ranks in the top half of most offensive categories, that should be considered a massive win for the franchise's future. The Bears' offensive output would mean that Fields has taken the next step in his development and that Getsy is deploying an offensive scheme that innovative and producing points. This success would also likely mean that Mooney has recorded his second 1,000 yard receiving season and that Montgomery rushed over 1,000 yards for the second time in his career. Potential offensive success would make Poles and Eberflus' job of rebuilding the Bears a lot easier as they would be able to focus on turning the defense around in one offseason. Chicago's new general manager is currently tasked with overhauling both the offense and defense this offseason and has limited resources to address the needs. Poles does not have a first-round draft selection in this year's draft, and it appears unlikely that Chicago will make a more significant free-agent signing than the Ogunjobi signing.

The Bears' offense needs to be successful for so many reasons in 2022, whether it is to speed up the rebuilding process, reassure the Bears' fanbase that Fields is poised to be an elite quarterback, and show that the new regime has the team headed the right direction. If Chicago finishes under .500 in 2022 but has an exciting offense, Eberflus' first season as Bears' head coach will be a success. Furthermore, a promising 2022 campaign from the Bears' offense will only build excitement and hope for 2023.