The latest Chicago Bears 2020 mock offseason is focused on the reality at quarterback. Is GM Ryan Pace prepared to move away from Mitch Trubisky after a disappointing 2019? That is unlikely. There were too many issues elsewhere on the offensive side of the ball from a completely dormant running game to zero tight end production and a banged-up offensive line. All could easily be viewed as contributing factors to Trubisky’s struggles.
Then again franchise quarterbacks are supposed to compensate for such issues but that’s an ongoing debate. Either way, the odds of the Bears outright replacing him next season is unlikely. So this means the focus of the team will be on using all available resources to retool things around him in hopes that he can finally take off. If that doesn’t happen, then at least the table will be set for the next guy come 2021.
Chicago Bears 2020 mock offseason goes all-in on Mitch
Coaching changes:
Offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich is replaced by Pat Shurmur
When you field the 29th ranked offense in the NFL, something has to change. Matt Nagy may have the overall power in this, but there is no way he can convince people that he can keep the same coaching staff in place and expect a massive improvement in 2020. Changes are needs. One man who probably should go is Mark Helfrich. While he’s not responsible for the play calling, his inability to have the offense better prepare from week to week is a big failure that can’t be ignored.
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The best thing for the Bears to do is find somebody with NFL experience who might be able to relieve Nagy of his play calling burden if necessary. Pat Shurmur is having a rough go of it in New York as head coach. Expectations are he could be fired. If so, the Bears absolutely should make him their offensive coordinator. His track record at this job is far more proven with four top 12 offenses in eight years. He’s good with quarterbacks, so this would be a quality hire.
Salary cap: $11.195 million
Cuts:
Kyle Long ($8.1 million)
Everybody knows the situation at this point. Long has ended his year on Injured Reserve four consecutive times dating back to 2016. He’s a tremendous locker room presence but the inability to stay on the field has made his contract too big to keep on the payroll.
Prince Amukamara ($8 million)
After a tremendous 2018, it’s clear that age and injury are starting to catch up with the veteran cornerback. His productivity is nowhere near what it was last season. This is why Kevin Toliver has begun to eat into his playing time. The Bears need money this offseason. Cutting him is a sound business decision.
Adam Shaheen ($1.27 million)
The Bears saw such potential in Shaheen when they drafted him in the 2nd round in 2017. His mixture of size and speed was hard to match. If he figured out the NFL’s work ethic, nobody would stop him. Instead they got 249 yards and four touchdowns in three seasons.
Ben Braunecker ($1.5 million)
The Bears had hoped he might be able to lend a greater hand on offense in addition to his solid special teams work this season. That didn’t come to pass. Braunecker watched his season come to a halt in December due to a concussion. An overhaul at tight end is needed and he is a casualty.
Salary cap: $30.065 million
Trades:
Taylor Gabriel to the 49ers for a 6th round pick
After failing to finish strong this year and carrying a rather overpriced contract, the time has come for the Bears to move on from Gabriel. He’ll be 29 in 2020 and is still considered one of the faster players in the league. That along with his prior connection to Kyle Shanahan makes a trade to the 49ers an easy sell. A 6th rounder in return is fair compensation.
Leonard Floyd and 6th round pick to Patriots for a 4th round pick
The Bears have a long-established relationship in terms of trade deals with New England. So this wouldn’t be a difficult deal to put together. The Patriots love versatile players like Floyd who can do several things well. He and a 6th in exchange for a 4th is a standard deal for this type of situation. One the two teams have worked out before.
Salary cap: $47.785 million
Re-signings/Extensions:
Allen Robinson – 4-year extension for $68 million
If there was any lingering doubts about Robinson as a legitimate go-to receiver, he put that to rest in 2019. Despite quarterback inconsistency, the 26-year old crossed the 1,000-yard mark in just 14 games. He’s in his prime and one of the best route runners in the league. The guy has earned a payday.
Eddie Jackson – 5-year extension for $70 million
Top safeties are hard to find. So it’s important when you do find one that you keep him. Jackson may not have had the same statistical year he did in 2018 but his presence was still felt almost constantly. He’s the best safety this organization has had in over a decade.
Nick Kwiatkoski – 3-year deal for $22.5 million
The choice of who to keep at inside linebacker is not easy. Danny Trevathan is such a great leader and athlete. In the end, it comes down to business. He’s approaching 30-years old. Kwiatkoski will be 27 and has a far cleaner injury history. He’s earned his way to the top. Time to reward him.
Nick Williams – 2-year deal for $8 million
The journeyman defensive tackle has found his home in Chicago and delivered an impressive season with six sacks. His value as a rotational reserve can’t be overstated. Giving him a quality pay raise should give the team some needed insurance with Akiem Hicks’ age and health in question.
Kevin Pierre-Louis – 2-year deal for $3 million
With Trevathan out, the Bears must look to fortify their depth at ILB. Easily the biggest surprise this year has been how well Kevin Pierre-Louis stepped in after Roquan Smith went down. His veteran experience and athleticism have continued to show up. Give him a raise.
Deon Bush – 1-year deal for $1 million
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix isn’t coming back for 2020, so the Bears will likely need to find an answer at safety opposite Jackson. Bush showed some intriguing flashes during the season that he is ready for an opportunity. He has the makeup of a strong safety, so it’s not a hard sell to pair him with E-Jax.
Roy Robertson-Harris – Restricted tender for $2.144 million
After such a strong start this year, Robertson-Harris sort of leveled off and never seemed to impact games a ton. It’s possible that despite his clear physical gifts he may have found his peak as a performer. Still, good rotational lineman should be kept when they’re still cheap.
Rashaad Coward – Restricted tender for $2.144 million
Coward was thrust into a difficult scenario. He was originally the backup tackle on the offensive line but took over right guard when both Long and Ted Larsen were injured. He may a solid impression and has since become the starter. The team is encouraged by his progress, so bringing him back is easy.
J.P. Holtz – Exclusive rights tender for $585,000
Picked up off waivers midway through 2019, Holtz found an important niche as a fullback and tight end hybrid for the Bears. He’s filled that role well and is worth keeping around to see if he can develop into it even further.
Salary cap: $29.912 million
Free agency:
Markus Golden – 3-year deal at $21 million
Teams were wary of Golden this past offseason due to his health setbacks in Arizona. However, he put those to bed with a strong season. With nine sacks in 14 games, he’s once again proven he can be a productive pass rusher. Something the Bears desperately need opposite Khalil Mack. Normally he would cost a lot more but at age 29 the price is a bit cheaper.
Daryl Worley – 1-year deal for $4 million
Chuck Pagano tends to prefer longer cornerbacks who can handle man coverage. Worley is that type of player. While most don’t acknowledge him as much playing in Oakland, the fact is he’s quietly had a good year. QBs have completed just 50% of their passes for a 93.7 passer rating when targeting him in 2019. He’s a worthwhile gamble on a short-term deal.
Adrian Phillips – 1-year deal for $3 million
The Bears are looking for strong safety help. They’ve kept Bush. Now they bring in some competition. Phillips was very good for the Chargers in 2018 with 94 tackles and an interception. Sadly his 2019 ended after just five games. He’ll be 28-years old next year and is a worthwhile addition who can fill that role really well if given the opportunity.
Blake Jarwin (RFA) – 3-year offer for $12 million
One young player who has quietly emerged this season is Jarwin. Playing behind the ageless Jason Witten, he’s produced 351 yards and three touchdowns. He’s got that nice mixture of 6’5 size, solid mobility, and capable hands. Dallas will be focused on extensions for Dak Prescott and Amari Cooper, so this is a gamble worth making for the Bears.
Case Keenum – 1-year deal for $3 million
The Bears will want to push Trubisky somehow in 2020. Keenum has a track record as a starter going back a number of years. He’s been productive at a number of different stops including Minnesota in 2017. He has a strong arm and is lauded for his professional and detailed approach. He’ll provide the Bears with competition for Mitch at a decent price.
Salary cap: $8.912 million
The Draft:
2nd round (via OAK) – Alton Robinson (EDGE, Syracuse)
The Bears needed an overhaul in their pass rush department and they’ve succeeded. After adding Golden in free agency, they secure another promising talent in Robinson. He has size, length, power, and speed. A good all-around toolbox that makes him a versatile defender. He had 10 sacks in 2018 and has a high ceiling when he gets to the NFL.
2nd round – Trey Smith (OG, Tennessee)
The Bears offensive line badly needs a dose of power in the mix. Trey Smith brings plenty of that with him from Tennessee. He’s a big dude who can pretty much drive anybody he wants to off the ball when he is inclined to do so. His athleticism isn’t elite but he moves well enough. Put him in the hands of Harry Hiestand and you’ve got a 10-year starter.
4th round (via NE) – Jacob Breeland (TE, Oregon)
There is an element of risk with Breeland because he suffered a season-ending injury for Oregon this past season. That said, the tight end was having the best start of his college career before that. In just six games he had 405 yards and six touchdowns. His ability as a pass catcher is hard to ignore and could be exactly what the Bears are missing.
4th round (comp) – Eric Stokes (CB, Georgia)
Pace loves his Georgia boys and that’s unlikely to change. Stokes is a pure athlete with tremendous fluidity and speed. There isn’t a receiver he can’t hang with in coverage. He has enough size and length too. He’ll need to add some weight in order to handle the pro level though.
5th round – Anthony Gordon (QB, Washington State)
The Bears should at least think about getting a head start on finding alternatives to Trubisky just in case. There is little harm in taking a flier on a quarterback in the later rounds. Gordon put up huge numbers in his lone year at Washington State, showing a decent arm coupled with strong field vision and ability to execute under pressure.
6th round – Myles Dorn (S, North Carolina)
There is always something to be said of consistency and Dorn has shown that during his long career at North Carolina. He has two interceptions in each of the past three years there and peaked with 47 tackles as a senior. He’s a big kid with a nice skillset. Maybe not an elite athlete, but capable enough.
6th round (via PHI) – Joe Reed (WR, Virginia)
With Gabriel gone, the Bears have to try finding some speed for their receiving corps. Reed brings that element with him from Virginia. He can take the top off the defense when asked and has the added benefit of being 6’1 instead of 5’8. He has a lot to learn as a route runner, but the building blocks are there.
7th round – Naquan Jones (DE, Michigan State)
There’s always a place for big, strong dudes in the NFL and Jones is definitely that. His pass rush repertoire is more advanced than you’d think and he is also pretty quick at 323 lbs. Nobody knows for sure what he’s capable of having spent most of college as a rotational reserve.
