The Bears are the team that has the best chance to provide some real answers about their future in the time this blog is written. The team has pieces that seem to have a lot of upside, primarily Justin Fields, Jaquan Brisker, Chase Claypool, Darnell Mooney and Teven Jenkins. They also have LOTS of cap space and plan to use it in upcoming free agency. Not to mention, they also hold the number one overall pick in the upcoming 2023 NFL Draft. This is an even more unique situation than usual because unlike most years where a quarterback can be penciled in, and maybe there’s some intrigue as to who goes in that spot, the Bears seem set in that position with Fields and could elect to go defense, offensive-line, but perhaps the most likely scenario, trading it for additional assets. It’s worth adding as well that there’s some speculation as to whether or not the Bears are totally sold on Fields being the guy for their long-term future. I believe they hold onto Fields and end up trading the pick.
Due to the up in the air nature and possible near future solutions for the Bears, I’ve decided that the next part is going to recap what they’ve done in free agency, and then project what direction they should go in the draft. In the third part I’ll summarize their draft and compare it to my projections, and then layout what a successful future would look like based on the team’s offseason as a whole.
As for this part, I’ll get back to what’s going on more specifically with the current roster. Like a 3-14 record would indicate, there is little certainty on the Bears roster. Hence the many directions the team could elect to go as they continue their journey back to prominence. Fields certainly appears to be the team’s most promising piece, and as I mentioned before, even he has his fair share of doubters. David Montgomerey has been a solid back for the team when healthy over the past few seasons, but he’s due to hit free agency and given the teams needs it’s unlikely they look to invest a long-term contract in a running back. The position has the shortest average career span along with wide receiver, and therefore Montgomerey will likely seek the largest deal possible and the Bears aren’t likely to entertain a bidding war. They also have Khalil Herbert who had 731 yards and 4 touchdowns on a 5.7 YPC average while serving as Montgomery’s backup. While it’s a position that will need to be addressed at the bare minimum for depth, it’s likely it will be addressed as a secondary need.
The two most glaring needs to me are pass-rush and offensive line play. It can be argued how much the offensive line needs to be addressed versus how much Justin Fields needs to get better on feeling the pocket, but no matter which one you attribute to the Bears statistical ineptitude to protect the quarterback, the Bears need improved offensive line play to be a legitimate team. They are at best an average unit at the moment, and while Fields has lots of upside, it’s both unlikely and unrealistic that Justin Fields takes the jump to Patrick Mahomes level of pocket maneuvering in the time remaining on his rookie deal, if it even ever happens.
Fields is inconsistent in his decision making on when to stand strong and make throws and use his athleticism to create when something isn’t there. A major part of this will be Fields personal development. Their confidence in his ability to develop in this area should weigh heavily on their decision as to whether or not he’s the guy they want to build around. At the same time, if the answer is yes, then the team also needs to do its part in providing him with consistent protection and weapons. Especially while he is still on his rookie deal, a factor many teams have taken advantage of in recent years, such as the: Chiefs, Eagles, Bills, Rams, Ravens and Browns. While each of these teams have seen varying levels of success while doing this, and some have graduated to paying their quarterbacks big money, each has reached the postseason and beyond while embracing this strategy. While it isn’t essential, it is certainly easier because a quarterback that is worth a second contract typically gets a large one and therefore makes it more impossible to allocate as much money into other areas of the team given the NFL’s salary cap. This makes it a huge advantage to have a good team and a quarterback on a below market level contract. It’s also a huge advantage to have a very good quarterback, and these two advantages typically only collide when it’s a quarterback on their rookie deal who has quickly established themselves. Opinions vary as to how established Fields is, but if they’re riding with him they have to give him the best chance possible and find out.
Now, football is unique because it requires separate personnel for each side of the ball. Baseball has a degree of this by introducing a pitcher and a designated hitter, but football stands alone in that it is completely separate units. This being said, defense is probably the unit as a whole that needs more attention. This is ironic because historically the Bears have been known for great defense, most notably with their 1985 team which made the 46 defense famous under defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan and Head Coach Mike Ditka. Even in their more recent runs of success they made they Super Bowl anchored by a great defense lead by head coach Lovie Smith, linebacker Brian Urlacher and defensive back Charles Tillman; and their 2018 team, which went 12-4, winning the NFC North, had the league’s third best total defense and best scoring defense. A far cry from the 2022 unit which finished fourth to last in total yards, and last in total points allowed. Playmakers are needed all over the place, but pass rush has become the staple of great defenses today. No fact highlights the Bears need for pass rush quite like the fact that Jaquan Brisker led the team in that category with 4. The team as a whole accumulated 20 throughout the season, and 3.5 of them were from Roquan Smith and Robert Quinn who were traded during the season. The secondary is the most complete unit on the defense with players like Eddie Jackson, Jaylon Johnson, and previously mentioned Jaquan Brisker.
The next most pressing needs are receiver and linebacker. Players like Darnell Mooney and Chase Claypool are intriguing secondary options with upside, but a more consistent option would not only give the offense the perimeter playmaker it needs to break things open, but also could give Justin Fields a huge confidence boost. I highlight linebacker next because head coach Matt Eberflus has historically run a defense that relies on good athletic linebackers. Fit is going to be equally critical to talent if he plans to build his traditional Tampa 2 style defense since it requires linebackers with athleticism that are comfortable running with pass catchers down the middle of the field. It’s possible Eberflus goes a different direction, but even given the shape the unit began to take this past year, it appears he is hoping to cook with a similar recipes as he did when he was defensive coordinator with the Colts, the position he held which got him hired as head coach.
In the next part I’ll examine which of these needs were addressed by the team in free agency and which one’s will still need to be addressed in the draft. Additionally, I’ll project some possible fits for the team given their free agency moves, and may have more clarity as to what happens with that number one overall pick.
Make sure to check out parts 2&3, as well as the rest of the rebuilds.
Unqualified GM 
Leave a comment