2022 Bears Offseason

[Lake Shore Drive]

Altho we have a draft thread, I see we really don't have a true offseason platform for discussion. This would include any potential roster activity that could take place between now and camp and not just the draft. To get the ball rolling, I've linked an article discussing possible roster cuts/trades involving 6 players which would free up cap space:

6 Bears who could be cut or traded to save cap space in 2022

The Bears are in pretty good shape with the salary cap. But there’s still some cap space they can free up with potential cuts and trades.

bearswire.usatoday.com

I think the two most obvious candidates for becoming ex-Bears are the first two mentioned, Trevathan and Goldman. Danny because his time has come and gone, plus he can never stay healthy. Eddie because his heart doesn't seem to be in it any longer and it has often shown as such on the field. And let's not minimize the fact that he would save a large amount of cap space. Speaking of savings on cap space, no doubt we'd save big if we were to trade the likes of Quinn and/or Jackson. But the Bears might not find any takers to inherit their respective salaries, and that's assuming they're seeking a trade for either player. Quinn in particular was simply en fuego last season and while it might be unrealistic to expect similar results, it seems reasonable to assume that he's rediscovered his former glory days.

Maybe the saddest possibility is Cohen getting the ax. I think it's going to be boiled down to two simple attributes: speed & quickness. Assuming he's back by now to 100% good health, if he's nonetheless lost a step or two, then I think he's a goner. Tarik possesses neither size nor power, his value to the offense & STs is based on speed and quickness. If he's lost either of those, then I just don't see a role for him. Considering he was once one of my favorite players on the team, I will be pulling big time for him.

 

[richig07]

Trevathan is old. Goldman, IMO, gave up on the game for some reason. He used COVID as an excuse not to play in 2020 and tried to weasel his way out of 2021 as well. Then, he was a shell of himself on the field. There was zero enthusiasm out of him like we saw in 2018 or 2019 either. I don't know if the dude got paid and just said "f**k it", had family/marital issues, or what... but that was very odd watching a guys will to play go from 100 to 0 overnight.

I would like to see Nichols (could be very good as a 3 tech DT), Daniels, and actually... Jakeem Grant brought back. Especially if we let Cohen go. I kind of hope we give Cohen a shot, but I get that this is a reboot.

I think Daniels might get away, though. He may demand a good chunk of change.

I could go either way on trading Quinn/Mack. Eddie Jackson? I think we're stuck with him. I just hope that, perhaps, he can be reborn in the Tampa 2.

 

[Lake Shore Drive]

Here's a similar style article predicting whether all of the Bears UFA's should stay or go:

Stay or go: Predicting the Bears unrestricted free agents in 2022

We’re predicting whether these Bears unrestricted free agents will be back with the team or departing in free agency.

bearswire.usatoday.com

I pretty much agree with all of these, don't see anything glaring one way or the other. Probably most hopeful in having Bilal Nichols and Jakeem Grant remain on the team. If we let both Hicks and Goldman walk, retaining Nichols pretty much becomes mandatory. Besides, I love his hustle. And Grant has been a pleasant surprise since his arrival back in October. The speedy li'l feller played well enough on STs to be named to the Pro Bowl. And with the Bears probably letting a few WRs walk this Spring, he might fit in nicely coming off the bench, depending on who we sign/draft of course.

 

[richig07]

Here's a similar style article predicting whether all of the Bears UFA's should stay or go:

Stay or go: Predicting the Bears unrestricted free agents in 2022

We’re predicting whether these Bears unrestricted free agents will be back with the team or departing in free agency.

bearswire.usatoday.com

I pretty much agree with all of these, don't see anything glaring one way or the other. Probably most hopeful in having Bilal Nichols and Jakeem Grant remain on the team. If we let both Hicks and Goldman walk, retaining Nichols pretty much becomes mandatory. Besides, I love his hustle. And Grant has been a pleasant surprise since his arrival back in October. The speedy li'l feller played well enough on STs to be named to the Pro Bowl. And with the Bears probably letting a few WRs walk this Spring, he might fit in nicely coming off the bench, depending on who we sign/draft of course.

Yeah, this is pretty much my take from above your post here. We're on the same page.

 

[justanidiot]

well, I think Daniels is the best center in terms of getting a solid snap back to the quarterback with enough pace and on line. Whitehair was guaranteed a half dozen high or low and Mustipher looks like a lob wedge. The only reason Nagy gave for Whitehair going back after Daniels played was Mitch was more comfortable (putting his hands on the asscrack I guess) with Cody.

I am guessing Green bay offense mentality will be mainly shotgun formations again. But with the O Line being put on notice, I really do not know how they will be graded from a O lineman GM who was not good enough to make it in the NFL.

I got the get Mitch comfortable, but then after Mitch Daniels never went back again. I also thought Cody was a pro bowl caliber guard, but a full season there showed he was not. I dont want to see any more ifedi or peters types deals happening, but truly believe the only way the o line gets cohesive is by pounding the run, and this line opened some great holes when they could. All the misdirection, RPO shit is just too damn much to get a group cohesive.

I believe only KMet is left at tight end, Mooney, Newsome, maybe some practice squad guys step in while probably our biggest need is in the secondary. I just dont like the other options at center, that is, if they let Daniels play center again.

 

[Lake Shore Drive]

Fansided has deemed these 8 Bears to be blue chippers:

These are the eight blue-chippers currently on the Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears have eight blue-chip players, but according to Bill Polian, the team needs to find two to four more this offseason.

beargoggleson.com

Here's a cut to the quick in case you don't feel like reading the entire article:

Roquan Smith
Jaylon Johnson
David Montgomery
Kahlil Mack
Robert Quinn
Darnell Mooney
Cairo Santos
Eddie Jackson

I stated this in another post, but if the Bears say buhbye to both Akiem Hicks and Eddie Goldman, I think it would automatically vault Bilal Nichols into the blue chip category or at the very least deem him as a must keep. And of course, by far the most glaring omission is our young QB. There's a follow up article which lists him as a needs-to-be, altho also feels it's just a matter of time before he becomes a legit superstar.

 

[Lake Shore Drive]

Missed this article in Sports Mockery from last week, but it touches on 6 potential FA targets for the Bears to chase:

Likely Free Agent Targets For New Chicago Bears Regime

With a new regime comes new personnel priorities. Here are some free agents the Chicago Bears may target when free agency begins.

www.sportsmockery.com

All UFAs, all from winning programs, and most importantly, all represent solid needs for us at their respective positions. I think my two favorites, at least on paper, are Bradley Bozeman, C for the Ravens and Larry Ogunjobi, DT for the Bengals. Both are reaching their peak age and they help fill important needs on both sides of the line. Bozeman brings an added bonus of also having played the G position, which brings some versatility to the package. But damn, that 6'5, 311lb body can occupy some space and it would make for a nice change from the Bears historically fielding smallish centers. OTOH Ogunjobi, who had a great season, will not be playing in the SB due to a foot injury which occurred in the game against the Raiders and requires surgery. So while this might be seen as bit of of a risky move in inking a player with such a status, there's little doubt that his contract value will take a hit, so Poles should get him somewhat on the cheap. But if the Bears feel it's a bit too risky to ink the man, there's also his counterpart, Jarran Reed of the Chiefs.

 

[richig07]

Fansided has deemed these 8 Bears to be blue chippers:

These are the eight blue-chippers currently on the Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears have eight blue-chip players, but according to Bill Polian, the team needs to find two to four more this offseason.

beargoggleson.com

Here's a cut to the quick in case you don't feel like reading the entire article:

Roquan Smith
Jaylon Johnson
David Montgomery
Kahlil Mack
Robert Quinn
Darnell Mooney
Cairo Santos
Eddie Jackson

I stated this in another post, but if the Bears say buhbye to both Akiem Hicks and Eddie Goldman, I think it would automatically vault Bilal Nichols into the blue chip category or at the very least deem him as a must keep. And of course, by far the most glaring omission is our young QB. There's a follow up article which lists him as a needs-to-be, altho also feels it's just a matter of time before he becomes a legit superstar.

I see 5 and two of them (Mack/Quinn) are 30+ and likely wouldn't be around when/if Poles vision takes flight.

Eddie used to be a blue chipper before we paid him. Then, he had a very up and down 2020. Then, honestly, was subpar in 2021.

I don't think all that much of Montgomery. Fine enough back and serviceable/solid in all facets. However, he is consistently towards the very bottom of the league in explosive plays, is below average in yards after contact, and is quite poor in RYOE (rush yards over expectation). RYOE accounts for O-line play as well. Those are three things separate (explosive plays somewhat being) from the excuse that his line or his coaching hasn't been good. Which I know many like to utilize in order to explain away his career 3.9 YPC. The bottom line is that he's slow and doesn't have very good vision. The lack of speed totally nullifies him breaking tackles. As he's so slow that he picks up very little yards after that contact.

Hey... I love watching him put his shoulder down and push forward for 2-3 extra yards at times as well. But... production/efficiency > crowd pleasing. (FWIW, Herbert averaged 5.1 YPC in two starts within the same offense and behind the same line).

Cairo Santos is a kicker. Not that having a reliable one isn't important for a contender, but... for him to truly matter and be attempting kicks that matter. You have to build a team that can put him in those type of situation first. To me, a "blue chipper" is a guy that can be apart of a core like that. No matter how good - a kicker is not apart of your core.

 

[richig07]

Missed this article in Sports Mockery from last week, but it touches on 6 potential FA targets for the Bears to chase:

Likely Free Agent Targets For New Chicago Bears Regime

With a new regime comes new personnel priorities. Here are some free agents the Chicago Bears may target when free agency begins.

www.sportsmockery.com

All UFAs, all from winning programs, and most importantly, all represent solid needs for us at their respective positions. I think my two favorites, at least on paper, are Bradley Bozeman, C for the Ravens and Larry Ogunjobi, DT for the Bengals. Both are reaching their peak age and they help fill important needs on both sides of the line. Bozeman brings an added bonus of also having played the G position, which brings some versatility to the package. But damn, that 6'5, 311lb body can occupy some space and it would make for a nice change from the Bears historically fielding smallish centers. OTOH Ogunjobi, who had a great season, will not be playing in the SB due to a foot injury which occurred in the game against the Raiders and requires surgery. So while this might be seen as bit of of a risky move in inking a player with such a status, there's little doubt that his contract value will take a hit, so Poles should get him somewhat on the cheap. But if the Bears feel it's a bit too risky to ink the man, there's also his counterpart, Jarran Reed of the Chiefs.

Offensively, I am sure we will have a couple of O-line targets that will either compete for or sign on for a starting gig. I also have to think with ARob departing, that we are going to bring in a compliment to Mooney. There's pretty much NOBODY worthy of a starting gig opposite him right now. I doubt it will be an exciting name like Adams (clearly not), Godwin, Mike Williams, or Juju. However, it will be a respectable veteran. Maybe someone like Jamison Crowder? I know his numbers in 2021 were poor but he's been stuck in no man's land with the Jets (also missed some time).

Defensively, we just need bodies that fit the 4-3 man. 3 tech DT's and Will/Sam LB's. I think we are mostly okay on the edge if Mack/Quinn stay on and then you have Gipson who had come on somewhat strong. Obviously, you'll still need depth. The secondary also has issues. There's just a lot of roster filling that needs to be done on this side.

 

[justanidiot]

The same reasons they paid Eddie Jackson are supposedly the reasons he would be a better safety in the tampa 2 system. I really do not know which one, the one flashing at the line has to like to hit people, and the one that stays deep has to actually touch a player that falls down.

There have been some terrible first and second round picks by Ryan Pace, but gambling on the guy with an injury was where he made his good picks in the middle rounds. Then he did not just pay him, he paid him like he was a first round pick when he made him the highest paid safety in football before he actually needed to be paid that much. Last year was full of making rookie mistakes, until he came out week 14 or 15 saying he was playing better because they had him playing nickel back where he was chasing slower tight ends and big backs.
They will give him this year to show he was in the wrong system or position, then its going to be restructure or get cut.

 

[Lake Shore Drive]

Obviously, you'll still need depth. The secondary also has issues. There's just a lot of roster filling that needs to be done on this side.

That's why with only 5 picks in this draft that Poles not only needs to increase the number by trading down, but he also has to hunt from the free agent/cut list when it comes time to completing the roster, which sadly includes having to look for starters at some of the spots.

 

[Jiddy]

We aren’t going anywhere in 2022. Every move made should be with an eye to 2023 or beyond.

 

[richig07]

The same reasons they paid Eddie Jackson are supposedly the reasons he would be a better safety in the tampa 2 system. I really do not know which one, the one flashing at the line has to like to hit people, and the one that stays deep has to actually touch a player that falls down.

There have been some terrible first and second round picks by Ryan Pace, but gambling on the guy with an injury was where he made his good picks in the middle rounds. Then he did not just pay him, he paid him like he was a first round pick when he made him the highest paid safety in football before he actually needed to be paid that much. Last year was full of making rookie mistakes, until he came out week 14 or 15 saying he was playing better because they had him playing nickel back where he was chasing slower tight ends and big backs.
They will give him this year to show he was in the wrong system or position, then its going to be restructure or get cut.

His ball instincts were always what made him good in the first place. So long as we play him at FS in this scheme and allow him to essentially play center field. I think he could have a strong rebound campaign. I don't think he lost it. I think he got paid and lost some motivation. Coupled with Pagano/Desai's scheme/philosophy not working for him. If he gets his head on straight, I like his chances of returning to form. Which would be big.

And... we did kind of have to pay Eddie. He was going into the final year of his rookie deal.

 

[richig07]

We aren’t going anywhere in 2022. Every move made should be with an eye to 2023 or beyond.

If Rodgers departs from GB, Fields makes a leap, and the D is strong under Eberflus. I could see us potentially doing enough to take down a very weak North. But yeah... actual "contention" is not happening.

 

[justanidiot]

And... we did kind of have to pay Eddie. He was going into the final year of his rookie deal.

They did not have to make him the highest paid safety in football at that point in his career. I do not know what you mean by the Pagano and Desai scheme, both coordinators were just running the fangio playbook. We saw as much of blitzing the nickel back and dropping back the OLB's under Pagano as we did with Fangio. Fangio dropped the DT's off more. Jacksons role did not change, the scheme did not change, stay 20 yards behind the line of scrimmage and its your job to keep everyone in front of you.

I mean, he almost admitted to everyone that he was playing better at the end of the year because he was playing more nickel corner on tight ends, i.e. slower players. His cap hit this year is 15 million, with 18 million dead cap if he is cut, so he is going to have to stay this year if they cannot trade him. Next year its still 9.5 dead cap. Thats not the nickel guys pay rate if that is all he is.

 

[richig07]

They did not have to make him the highest paid safety in football at that point in his career. I do not know what you mean by the Pagano and Desai scheme, both coordinators were just running the fangio playbook. We saw as much of blitzing the nickel back and dropping back the OLB's under Pagano as we did with Fangio. Fangio dropped the DT's off more. Jacksons role did not change, the scheme did not change, stay 20 yards behind the line of scrimmage and its your job to keep everyone in front of you.

I mean, he almost admitted to everyone that he was playing better at the end of the year because he was playing more nickel corner on tight ends, i.e. slower players. His cap hit this year is 15 million, with 18 million dead cap if he is cut, so he is going to have to stay this year if they cannot trade him. Next year its still 9.5 dead cap. Thats not the nickel guys pay rate if that is all he is.

They did not have to make him the highest paid safety in football at that point in his career.

Well, they don't HAVE to do anything. However, there's a chance they would have had to pay him more the following season if he was due to hit the open market. He would have garnered a very big pay day, regardless. Then, you factor in that Adams was demanding 70 mil over 4 the off-season that followed? Jackson was going to carry a big, big tag. I am not saying it was a good or a bad deal. However, it's not like it didn't made no sense to lock him in before he entered a contract year.

I do not know what you mean by the Pagano and Desai scheme, both coordinators were just running the fangio playbook.

Huh? No, no they weren't. lol

We saw as much of blitzing the nickel back and dropping back the OLB's under Pagano as we did with Fangio

What are you talking about? Fangio almost never dropped Mack. Pagano did a good deal of the time. Pagano also blitzed a lot more. That's Pagano's style and the key difference between both guys. Did you honestly think a guy with the pedigree of Pagano took the job under the pretext that "I'm just going to be a puppet for Fangio's scheme?". What were you watching in 2019 and 2020 dude?

Fangio dropped the DT's off more.

Dropped the DT's off? What does that even mean?

Jacksons role did not change, the scheme did not change, stay 20 yards behind the line of scrimmage and its your job to keep everyone in front of you.

This can't be a serious post at this point. You do realize that Jackson played STRONG SAFETY in a number of different personnel packages for Pagano? His ENTIRE POSITION changed. He played up in the box on a large percentage of snaps. Like, at what point do I just assume you don't even watch the games?

And I love how you think that a FS's job is to just sit back and keep the game in front of him. As if that's his lone job on every play. That simple! lol

I mean, he almost admitted to everyone that he was playing better at the end of the year because he was playing more nickel corner on tight ends, i.e. slower players.

No, he did not say that. He said "I like playing nickel". Because he played a handful of snaps at nickel per game starting with the Vegas game. The highest percentage of snaps he played at nickel was a little over 30% in the second game vs GB.

His cap hit this year is 15 million, with 18 million dead cap if he is cut, so he is going to have to stay this year if they cannot trade him. Next year its still 9.5 dead cap. Thats not the nickel guys pay rate if that is all he is.

A) I never said the contract has been worth it. I said that I understand the decision to pay him and have hopes he can bounce back in the Tampa 2. He has clearly declined.

B) He played the vast majority of his snaps at safety. All he said was that he liked playing nickel when he was asked.

 

[justanidiot]

No Fangio did not drop Mack back in coverage, that was Leonard Floyd, remember 30% of his snaps were in coverage when you were bitching that he could not get any sacks?

You dont really watch the games, you do not pay attention, just act smart ass here to be a keyboard bully. Its getting as old as my idiotic posts.

There were plenty of games where Akiem Hicks was not rushing but playing in the middle with his hands up to disturb the middle passing lanes or tackle a running back on a screen pass. There were games this year when Quinn was at the sideline making a tackle on a check down because he was in coverage. You just need to pay more attention to the little details, not just follow highlights.

 

[richig07]

No Fangio did not drop Mack back in coverage, that was Leonard Floyd, remember 30% of his snaps were in coverage when you were bitching that he could not get any sacks?

You dont really watch the games, you do not pay attention, just act smart ass here to be a keyboard bully. Its getting as old as my idiotic posts.

There were plenty of games where Akiem Hicks was not rushing but playing in the middle with his hands up to disturb the middle passing lanes or tackle a running back on a screen pass. There were games this year when Quinn was at the sideline making a tackle on a check down because he was in coverage. You just need to pay more attention to the little details, not just follow highlights.

Wrong on Mack. Period. Pagano was criticized a lot for that. I don't even have to contend with this point.

Yes, I never said Desai didn't drop his OLB's. What are you talking about?

Akiem Hicks was in coverage? LMAO. There has never and will never be a play in NFL history where a DT is designed to drop back. It has and will never happen. It's so adorable, though, that you think a lineup jumping and putting his hands up to bat a pass at the LOS means he was in coverage. And that he made a tackle on a screen? WTF? Bahahahaha. He snuffed out a screen pass, so that means (as a DT!) that he was in pass coverage by design. Holy shit... that's some next level stuff there.

"You don't really watch the games"

It's the ole "I know you are, but what am I?" routine, huh? I expect nothing less from you.

Just go take a lap, dude. This is embarrassing. You are saying Akiem Hicks was dropped to play the pass. What universe are you in?

 

[Lake Shore Drive]

The nexus here is the UFAs listed in this article have previously played for some of our new coaches:

NFL Free Agents The Chicago Bears Now Have Ties To

The Chicago Bears could be a position to lure some solid free agents next month thanks to some newfound connections in place.

www.sportsmockery.com

Some names are certainly worthy of exploring. All except OBJ seem to be relatively affordable. I like these three the most:

Christian Kirk, WR - Cards
Anthony Walker Jr, MLB - Browns
Charvarius Ward, CB - Chiefs

They would fill some specific holes in our roster relative to their positions. Kirk in particular piques my interest. Walker Jr comes into play only if Smith gets moved over to the will, which still seems to be the going talk. I actually wouldn't mind Gardner Minshew as our chief backup QB as well, but something tells me he's gonna shoot for a club who'll give him a chance to start, at least on paper. That won't be the Bears.

 

[richig07]

The nexus here is the UFAs listed in this article have previously played for some of our new coaches:

NFL Free Agents The Chicago Bears Now Have Ties To

The Chicago Bears could be a position to lure some solid free agents next month thanks to some newfound connections in place.

www.sportsmockery.com

Some names are certainly worthy of exploring. All except OBJ seem to be relatively affordable. I like these three the most:

Christian Kirk, WR - Cards
Anthony Walker Jr, MLB - Browns
Charvarius Ward, CB - Chiefs

They would fill some specific holes in our roster relative to their positions. Kirk in particular piques my interest. Walker Jr comes into play only if Smith gets moved over to the will, which still seems to be the going talk. I actually wouldn't mind Gardner Minshew as our chief backup QB as well, but something tells me he's gonna shoot for a club who'll give him a chance to start, at least on paper. That won't be the Bears.

Yeah, I think Minshew heads somewhere that will give him a shot to start. Honestly, though, keeping Foles for the final year of his deal is probably cheaper believe it or not. Also better suited to continue mentoring Fields.

Even if Fields pans out as we hope. I get the feeling he's going to miss a game or two each year. He really does not like sliding, holds the ball for a while behind the LOS, is pretty thin, and takes a lot of hits. Some of that will change as he matures, but I don't know if those things will ever completely go away. Especially not the "skinny" part.

Kirk probably falls into the price tier of WR that I think we would go for. He's talented and coming off of a good year. Solid deep threat as well. Him and Mooney could make for a solid combination. Especially if Kmet develops into a legit target over the middle of the field in year #3 as we hope. I'm a big Mooney guy. So, if things fall into place. Perhaps we wouldn't have THAT poor of a crop of skill players. Clearly, we would still lack depth, though. Slot receiver is a question mark and likely a camp battle. Maybe sign Kirk and draft a guy in the middle rounds.