Chicago Bears 2024 Mock Offseason: Starting An Arms Race
This Chicago Bears 2024 mock offseason was a difficult one. Determining what the team should do at quarterback and head coach remains challenging. It feels like only two routes are open to them. Either they keep Justin Fields and Matt Eberflus for another year, or they flush both and start over. The latest loss in Cleveland didn’t help either of their cases. That said, GM Ryan Poles may wish to maintain the status quo for one more year and use his considerable resources to keep adding blue-chip talent across the roster.
If the pair can’t break through next year, then 2025 can be all about solving those two positions. It might not satisfy a large portion of Bears fans, but there is still an argument that such a course of action might be the most sensible. So here is a look at how next spring could play out with that in mind.
This Chicago Bears 2024 mock offseason is all about plugging holes.
Coach/Front office moves:
Bears lose Ian Cunningham to Chargers GM position: receive 3rds in 2024 and 2025
Given how rapidly the Bears roster has improved this past season, it will only elevate Cunningham’s profile further. He was almost poached last year. This time, a team finally grabs him. While a difficult loss to deal with, the Bears are compensated with two draft picks to continue building.
Luke Getsy fired as offensive coordinator. Frank Reich hired as his replacement.
It is evident by now that Getsy has to go. He’s done nothing to show he has the offense pointed in the right direction. If Eberflus is going to stay, he must find a coordinator with a proven track record who understands how to work to Fields’ strengths. Reich has his critics after the debacle in Carolina, but he’s produced a top-10 offense five times, won a Super Bowl in Philadelphia, and has worked with Eberflus before.
Cuts:
- OL Cody Whitehair – $9.15 million saved
Re-signings/Extensions:
- CB Jaylon Johnson – 4-year extension for $80 million
- EDGE Yannick Ngakoue – 1-year deal for $9 million
- K Cairo Santos – 3-year extension for $10.5 million
- WR Equanimeous St. Brown – 1-year deal for $1.125 million
- CB Josh Blackwell – ERFA deal for $915,000
- CB Greg Stroman – 1-year deal for $1.125 million
- LB Dylan Cole – 1-year deal for $1.125 million
- LS Patrick Scales – 1-year deal for $1.21 million
Free Agency:
- C Lloyd Cushenberry – 4-year deal for $48 million
- WR Van Jefferson – 1-year deal for $2 million
- TE MyCole Pruitt – 1-year deal for $1.5 million
- P Corey Bojorquez – 3-year deal for $9.6 million
The Draft:
Trade: #1 pick to the Giants for #6 pick, two 2nds in 2024, 1st in 2025, and 1st in 2026
1st Round – Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State
If sticking with Fields is the play, there is no way this Bears 2024 mock offseason happens without Poles handing off that #1 pick to a QB-desperate team for multiple high picks. The Giants are the obvious choice. Daniel Jones is a lost cause by this point. Tommy DeVito isn’t the future. It’s time to get Brian Daboll his own quarterback. Meanwhile, the Bears put a big, powerful, and athletic rusher across from Montez Sweat. Verse is known for his freakish skillset and relentless work ethic. He fits the exact mold this team loves.
1st Round (via NYG) – Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
Like D.J. Moore? How about a faster version of him? That is somewhat over the top, but there is no question Nabers is a baller. He’s got a nice 6’1 frame and blistering deep speed. The guy was uncoverable all season for the Tigers. As with most college receivers, his route-running will need some polish. Still, his vertical threat alone will make Moore even more dangerous than he already is.
2nd Round (via NYG) – Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
Did you think the Bears were done giving their QB weapons? Nope. They strike again here, dipping into the LSU pool for a second time. One thing they love to add to the position is size. Mitchell is 6’4, has solid speed, and doesn’t shy away from contact. He fights through tight coverage and will throw his weight around in the run game. His route-running improved gradually this past year. It feels like his best days are ahead.
2nd Round (via NYG) – Ruke Orhorhoro, DT, Clemson
Having secured their edge rush concerns, the Bears shift their focus back to the interior. Gervon Dexter is emerging quickly, and Andrew Billings is a stud nose tackle. However, their depth isn’t ideal. Orhorhoro is exactly what they need. His 2023 got off to a slow start, but he finished on a hot streak with five sacks in eight games. He displays the good mixture of size, power, and explosiveness needed to play the three-technique position, consistently getting into the backfield.
3rd Round – Rod Moore, S, Michigan
Eddie Jackson is approaching the end of his career in Chicago. It is likely that 2024 will be his last season with the team, presuming they don’t cut him. That means they need to start thinking about life without him. Moore is the kind of rangy, instinctive safety who has a nose for the football who can fill that void.
3rd Round (comp) – Braden Fiske, DT, Florida State
A lot of people weren’t familiar with Fiske during his time at Western Michigan. He was an unsung hero for most of 2023 until the ACC Championship, when he ripped through Louisville for three sacks and 4.5 tackles for a loss. The guy is quick off the snap, has violent hands, and boasts a non-stop motor.
4th Round – Zak Zinter, OG, Michigan
Zinter would’ve been a Day 2 pick in the draft if he hadn’t broken his leg. Up until that point, he showed himself to be powerful, nasty, intelligent, and more than athletic enough to handle most blocking responsibilities. The Bears decide to stash him as a long-term insurance policy for Teven Jenkins.
4th Round (via PHI) – Will Shipley, RB, Clemson
His 2023 wasn’t as good as his 2022, but Shipley remains one of the more versatile running backs in the country. He is a capable runner with a mix of quickness and vision. His ability to catch the football will be particularly valuable to any offensive system.
5th Round – Theo Johnson, TE, Penn State
The Nittany Lions have a long history of not being great at developing offensive talent. That doesn’t mean they fail to find it when recruiting. Johnson is one such example. He hasn’t done anything flashy in college, but his size, athleticism, and flashes indicate he will be a much better NFL player.