This latest Chicago Bears 2024 mock offseason will focus on doing something the organization has routinely failed at for several years. They will try to find the right head coach-quarterback combination. The two jobs have never lined up at the same time. It was always the Bears picking one and then eventually bringing in the other. In the Super Bowl era, they’ve only brought in both at the same time twice. Once was in 1999 with Dick Jauron and Cade McNown. The other was Mike Ditka and Jim McMahon.
Lovie Smith inherited Rex Grossman. Marc Trestman and John Fox both inherited Jay Cutler. Matt Nagy inherited Mitch Trubisky. Matt Eberflus inherited Justin Fields. You get the picture. GM Ryan Poles and team president Kevin Warren want to stop the cycle. So Fields and Eberflus are sent packing with a plan to reset both spots at the same time.
Coaching staff changes:
Eric Bieniemy hired as head coach
Poles and Warren have direct ties to Bieniemy. It’s already been reported the Bears will be interested if Eberflus is out. The longtime offensive coordinator has a proven track record going back years. He helped Patrick Mahomes become a two-time MVP and two-time Super Bowl champion. This year, he helped Sam Howell rank among the leading passers in the NFL. If the Bears plan to start over at quarterback, this guy can finally help them get it right.
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Ron Rivera hired as defensive coordinator
A strange twist of fate. This past year, Rivera was the head coach, and Bieniemy was the coordinator. Now they switch places. The former Bears linebacker had a great run as a defensive coordinator in the 2000s before embarking on his head coaching run. That included helping Chicago to the Super Bowl in 2006. He finally comes home for another round.
Andy Heck hired as offensive coordinator
Bieniemy knows the offensive line play will be paramount to any offensive success. So he pries Heck away from Kansas City. He is one of the best offensive line coaches in the NFL. It also doesn’t hurt that he played in Chicago for five seasons from 1994 through 1998.
Cuts:
- OL Cody Whitehair – $9.15 million saved
- S Eddie Jackson – $12.56 million saved
Re-signings/Extensions:
- CB Jaylon Johnson – 4-year extension for $72 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 Connor Williams – 4-year deal for $54 million
- EDGE Bryce Huff – 3-year deal for $30 million
- WR Tyler Boyd – 2-year deal for $14 million
- P Corey Bojorquez – 3-year deal for $9.6 million
No way this Bears 2024 mock offseason happens without a significant move at center. This offensive line needs credibility in the middle. Williams has allowed six total pressures this season and is a focal point of Miami’s productive rushing attack. Huff is having a breakout year with six sacks and 15 QB hits in 12 games. This is despite limited reps in a loaded Jets front. Boyd has been a steady, reliable receiver for years and is particularly good in the slot. Trenton Gill has disappointed this season as a punter. So the Bears go out and find somebody with the big leg necessary to win the field position battle.
The Draft:
1st Round – Caleb Williams, QB, USC
The Mahomes comparisons have been persistent with Williams. Everybody saw what Bieniemy did with Mahomes in Kansas City. If anybody would know how to harness what the young star quarterback does best, it’s him. This feels like a natural pairing. While Williams has some size concerns and a tendency to play hero ball, he’s wickedly accurate, has a quick release, and is the best improviser in the entire draft class.
- Trade: #5 pick to the Titans for #8 pick and 2nd in 2024
- Trade: #8 pick to the Bucs for #10 pick and 3rd in 2024
- Trade: QB Justin Fields and 4th in 2024 to Atlanta for 2nd and 3rd in 2024
1st Round – Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama
While fans may wish for the Bears to swing big at wide receiver, that doesn’t mesh with Poles’ strategy. He’s big on premium positions. Pass rusher is more valuable. There is no way he’ll pass on the opportunity to pair a talent like Turner with Montez Sweat. The Crimson Tide standout is athletic, quick, aggressive, and relentless. He plays with a vicious streak that sometimes gets him in trouble, but he’s the speed threat they’re missing.
2nd Round (via TEN) – Troy Franklin, WR, Oregon
You can’t teach speed. Franklin has that in abundance. Projections have him in the 4.3 range, and it shows on the field. The guy is a dangerous vertical threat who gave defenses fits in 2023, going for over 1300 yards with 14 touchdowns. People will nitpick his thinner frame, but he stresses defenses in ways few other receivers can. D.J. Moore was at his most dangerous with a speed threat opposite him. Franklin fits that bill.
2nd Round (via ATL) – Rod Moore, S, Michigan
The Bears 2024 mock offseason can’t ignore safety this time. Eddie Jackson is entering the twilight of his career. Poles has to prepare for the next generation. Moore is a versatile player with the necessary range and ball skills for free safety. He understands how to read the quarterback and often gets his hands on the ball.
3rd Round – Johnny Wilson, WR, Florida State
He doesn’t get the same attention as teammate Keon Coleman, but Wilson has been a steady player for the Seminoles over the past two years. In truth, it feels like his 6’7, 235 lbs frame is tailor-made for a switch to tight end, where his athleticism and speed would be a far greater threat.
3rd Round (via TB) – Ruke Orhorhoro, DT, Clemson
Things got off to a slow start for him this season, with no sacks in his first four games. However, he seems to have found his groove since, with five sacks in the past eight games. He’s got the size and quickness necessary for good interior pass rushers. When his motor gets going, he is hard to stop.
3rd Round (via ATL) – Zach Frazier, C, West Virginia
Signing Williams was a smart decision by the Bears. That said, adding good players to a position is never a crime, even if it seems settled. Frazier is your typical bar bouncer type. He’ll mix it up with anybody. Tough as they come, strong, and athletic enough to fit any scheme.
4th Round – MarShawn Lloyd, RB, USC
Williams was the focal point at USC, but every offense needs balance. Lloyd provided that. He averaged a whopping 7.1 yards per carry while catching 13 passes for 232 yards. The guy is a big play waiting to happen. Get the ball into his hands and he’s liable to make people miss.
5th Round – Jordan Travis, QB, Florida State
The injury suffered by Travis was heartbreaking. He had the Seminoles cruising to a College Football Playoff berth. Then it was ripped away. Still, that doesn’t erase how well he’s played the past two years. He’s a great athlete with dual-threat capability who has come a long way as a passer.
