Chicago Bears: Biggest Needs Entering the Offseason

The Chicago Bears already made a lot of changes after their season ended. Here are what the new regime has to change to create a successful season.

The Chicago Bears are at another crossroad. They’ve dealt with a lot of losing over the past decade. After the last time they were in flux, they whiffed on the general manager, the head coach, and the quarterback. Now they’re in a similar situation and hope to get it right.

The Bears hired Ryan Poles to replace Ryan Pace as general manager. They then hired Matt Eberflus to replace Matt Nagy as head coach. Afterward, the coaching staff and the front office were overhauled. The team already feels they found their franchise quarterback. Chicago hopes that the similarity between Poles and Eberflus stops at having the same first name as their predecessors.

The new regime has a daunting task ahead. There are a lot of big decisions to make on who stays and who goes. In addition, there are big decisions to make on who replaces those who go.

The Bears have a lot of holes to fill this offseason. The team underperformed in every area of team operation. First, the general manager failed to pick up the right players. Next, the head coach failed to put his players in a successful situation. Finally, the players failed to perform to their potential.

This is a huge offseason for the Bears. They could have a quick turnaround. About 60 percent of the team could be gone. Additionally, the Bears have a third-place schedule, meaning they’ll have an easier time on the field than they had in 2021.

The new era under Eberflus could begin positively as it did under Nagy. The key is to build a roster that can sustain that success. That didn’t happen with Nagy.

Here are areas the Chicago Bears have to address this offseason.

1. Offensive Line

Poles noted in his introductory press conference that he wanted to prioritize the offensive line. This is a line that struggled for a better part of a decade.

In 2021, the Chicago Bears’ offensive line gave up 58 sacks, most in the NFL. Poles wants to change that. He was an offensive lineman in his playing days so he understands the importance of having a line that not only protects the quarterback but also opens holes for the running backs.

Guard James Daniels is a free agent. The Bears need to decide if they bring him back. The advantage of bringing him back is that he could help in another position. He was a center early in his career and could replace Sam Mustipher. Mustipher struggled mightily in 2021. He struggled so much that his time in Chicago might be over. Daniels could slide back to center.

One might think that moving Daniels over helps in one area but hurts at guard, but that isn’t necessarily true. The Bears have two young players at both of their tackle spots. They both missed a lot of time during their rookie seasons so they are still very green.

Having a veteran tackle is critical for success. The Bears likely try to find a left tackle. That means Teven Jenkins and Larry Borom battle for the right tackle job, with the loser moving over to guard.

2. Wide Receiver

Poles wants a strong offensive line to help protect their prized asset, quarterback Justin Fields. He cannot make the big throws if he has to continually run for his life.

Well, he also cannot make the big throws if he doesn’t have receivers. When the new league year begins, the Bears’ lone wide receiver under contract will be Darnell Mooney. They could decide to sign Allen Robinson, who had an effective three seasons in Chicago before struggling in 2021, or slap another franchise tag on him. It appears, however, that the relationship between the two sides is beyond repair.

Of course, we don’t know how having Poles and Eberflus affect Robinson’s thinking. Could a new regime impress the wide receiver enough to return to form?

Jakeem Grant made the Pro Bowl in 2021 so he could return. However, he likely plays more as a returner than a wide receiver.

Having a new head coach and offensive coordinator, combined with the potential of Fields, could entice some wide receivers to come to Chicago through free agency.

Look for the Bears to find wide receivers both in free agency and through the draft. There will be plenty of good players and prospects available.

Around FPC

NFL: NFL Rumors: Brady/Arians Rift, Robby Anderson, Combine Boycott

NFL: Quarterback Carousel: Who Plays Where In 2022?

NFL DRAFT: NFL Draft Profile: Linebacker Nakobe Dean

NFL DRAFT: 2022 NFL Draft Profile: DE Aidan Hutchinson

NHL: NHL Insights: Tyler Toffoli Trade, Jack Eichel’s Return and Wild West

PODCAST: Full Press NFL Podcast Ep 33: Super Bowl LVI Reaction; Rams Clinch Second Title

3. Defensive Line

The offensive line isn’t the only line the Bears have to deal with. The defense is transitioning to a 4-3 scheme which adds an extra player on the defensive line.

Another thing to keep in mind is that all three of the 2021 starters could find themselves out of Chicago. Akiem Hicks and Bilal Nichols are both free agents and could decide to walk. Hicks is on his last legs so if the Bears sign him it’ll be a huge surprise.

Nichols is young and has done whatever the team asked him to do. By playing well, the Bears probably make an attempt to bring him back.

Eddie Goldman could be a salary cap casualty. He opted out of the 2020 season because of COVID but struggled in 2021 due to injuries and COVID. He hasn’t been the same player. The Bears could save about $8.9 million by cutting him. They have options with Angelo Blackson and Khyiris Tonga as replacements so Goldman could find himself looking for a job in 2022.

4. Cornerback

One of the biggest surprises the Chicago Bears made last offseason was letting former All-Pro cornerback Kyle Fuller leave. He refused to rework his contract to avoid the big payday due to him so the team decided to cut him.

That put the unit into disarray. Chicago’s best cornerback in Fuller’s absence, Jaylon Johnson, was basically by himself on one side. Opposing quarterbacks picked on the other cornerbacks and ignored Johnson. He did well when the ball was thrown his way, but his targets were low.

The Bears weren’t able to scheme Johnson so he could move around the field and take on the opposing team’s best receiver. That meant that he spent games without much action.

Kindle Vildor started at the other outside cornerback but that was a disaster. He showed that he has some skills so perhaps moving to the slot could help him.

Just as with the wide receivers, the Bears probably pick up cornerbacks through free agency as well as the draft. They need to put someone opposite of Johnson so he could get more targets and make more plays.