Each Chicago Bears 2021 mock offseason thus far has shifted direction based on how the team looks from week to week. Unsurprisingly, the focus remains on the offense. However, there is a slight shift this time. While the offensive line obviously needs loads of attention, it’s clearer than ever this franchise won’t get anything solved until they find a quarterback.

Keep this in mind. Ryan Pace has drafted one QB in six offseasons. He gave up four total picks to get that QB. A monumental mistake that is almost certain to lead to his ultimate downfall. He gambled everything on Mitch Trubisky and lost. This is what happens to almost every GM. You miss at quarterback, you’ll be unemployed a few years later.

So here the Bears are again, resuming their search for that elusive prize. How can they go about it this time?

Chicago Bears 2021 mock offseason goes a new direction

Front office and Coaching staff changes:

Ryan Pace fired and replaced with Marvin Allen as GM

Allen isn’t among the hot names in the media for GM jobs but that figures to change as the Miami Dolphins continue their dramatic turnaround. This guy is a former NFL running back who entered the scouting ranks in the 1990s and worked his way up the ladder with the Patriots through most of the 2000s, helping them establish a dynasty.

After a stint in Atlanta, he became the Director of College Scouting for Kansas City in 2014 and over the next four seasons helped them to acquire guys like Chris Jones, Tyreek Hill, and Patrick Mahomes. Buffalo soon brought him in as a national scout in 2018, the same year they drafted Josh Allen and Tremaine Edmunds. A year later he was made Assistant GM in Miami where he helped institute a rapid rebuild that now has them 6-3.

Matt Nagy fired and replaced with Brian Daboll as head coach

Daboll comes significantly more proven as an offensive mind than Nagy did. After some rough stints in Cleveland, Kansas City, and Miami as an offensive coordinator, he retreated to the college ranks in 2017. There as a co-coordinator he helped Alabama win the national championship. That seemed to restore his confidence. A year later the Buffalo Bills made him their offensive coordinator.

Since then he’s overseen the development of Josh Allen at quarterback and done a phenomenal job. The Bills offense went from 30th his first year, to 24th last year, to 10th in 2020. Allen has 21 TD passes to just seven interceptions in 10 games. Daboll and Allen worked together both in Buffalo and New England. So there is a strong familiarity there.

Cuts:

• Jimmy Graham – $7 million saved
• Charles Leno Jr. – $6.2 million saved
• Bobby Massie – $5.4 million saved
• Buster Skrine – $2.8 million saved

Graham is a red zone threat but he’s not worth much to this offense beyond that. It’s painfully obvious he lost one of his gears in terms of speed. Skrine is also becoming a liability in coverage. Cutting Leno and Massie at the same time? That is a risk but the Bears need to get serious about overhauling that offensive line. Time to rip the bandaid off.

Salary cap: $23.562 million

Trades:

Allen Robinson (tagged) to the Dolphins for a 2nd round pick

It’s no longer a matter of if with this. Robinson is gone next year. The key for the Bears is determining how they wish to control the exit. Their best hope is to use the franchise tag on him and then deal him to another team. He’s good enough to secure a 2nd round pick from somebody. Miami has two of them and also plenty of cash to give him a contract extension, pairing him up with Tua Tagovailoa.

Robert Quinn and a 6th round pick to the Jets

The NFL doesn’t seem to care for basketball-style trades but Brock Osweiler pioneered something a few years ago. Chicago made a huge mistake give that $70 million deal to Robert Quinn. Now they have to find a way out of it. The Jets have a boatload of money and are looking for draft picks to continue building their roster. They also can use pass rush help. They take an extra 6th rounder to take him off the Bears’ hands.

Anthony Miller and a 7th rounder to the Saints for a 5th round pick

Miller isn’t living up to what this team drafted him for. First it was health issues and now it’s constant problems with catching the football. To say nothing of accusations from teammates about his practice habits. He has so much ability but can’t regularly access it. Time for a fresh start. New Orleans loves to stack up receivers and they could be looking for cheaper alternatives soon.

Salary cap: $27.072 million

Re-signings/Extensions:

Kyle Fuller – 2-year extension for $32 million (lowers 2021 cap hit to $5 million)

A lot of people may demand the Bears just blow it all up. That doesn’t feel necessary. This defense is still good enough to have one or two more strong seasons together. It is just a matter of easing the cap burden for 2021. They do this by handing out limited extensions. Fuller gets a well-deserved $2 million per year raise after having another outstanding season at cornerback.

Akiem Hicks – 2-year extension for $26 million (lowers 2021 cap hit to $4 million)

People got a good look at life without Hicks late against Minnesota when Dalvin Cook finally broke free running the ball after he was injured. The big defensive end is 31 but he’s still the heart and soul of that defense. When healthy, he’s a monster. Give him a short extension with a pay bump and move along.

https://twitter.com/FTBBurner11/status/1328511607916298240

Cairo Santos – 3-year deal for $12.3 million

After a rocky start in Chicago, Santos has settled in remarkably well. He’s hit his last 23-consecutive kicks for the Bears. It’s gotten to a point where there isn’t much left to see. Eddy Pineiro is out of the picture. This job belongs to Santos. He’s done enough to earn it long-term, providing sorely needed stability.

Mario Edwards Jr. – 3-year deal for $9 million

Most will remember 2020 free agency for the Quinn whiff but Pace did some really good work on the bargain market. Edwards signed for $1.6 million and has become their second-best interior pass rusher on the team. Just a constant presence that finds ways into the backfield every single week.

Tashaun Gipson – 2-year deal for $6 million

The veteran former Pro Bowler has fit right in for the Bears. He always seems to be around the football making nice plays. He doesn’t make a lot of mistakes and plays with discipline and savvy. His athleticism should make him a viable starter despite being in his 30s now. A two-year deal is good for him and safe for the team.

• DeAndre Houston-Carson – 1-year deal for $990,000
• Barkevious Mingo – 1-year deal for $1.075 million
• James Vaughters – ERFA tender for $780,000
• J.P. Holtz – ERFA tender for $850,000
• Brent Urban – 1-year deal for $1.075 million
• Daniel McCullers – 1-year deal for $1.075 million
• Alex Bars – ERFA tender for $850,000
• Josh Woods – ERFA tender for $850,000
• Patrick Scales – 1-year deal for $1.075 million

Houston-Carson, Mingo, Vaughters, Urban, McCullers, and Woods have all proven to be solid depth options on defense for the Bears. All should also be easy enough to retain on cheap contracts. The same goes for Holtz and Bars on offense as they can provide some needed attitude to a unit lacking it.

Salary cap: $20.852 million

Free agency:

Keelan Cole – 1-year deal for $2 million

Cole has quietly been an effective weapon down in Jacksonville but due to spotty quarterback play hasn’t been able to show it often enough. He’s known for having some underrated speed and a strong pair of hands. He could give the Bears some extra juice in terms of explosiveness which they’ve sorely lacked.

Keelan Cole had the punter on skates ⛸

(via @thecheckdown)pic.twitter.com/KEbFnCJlK8

— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) November 15, 2020

John Ross – 1-year deal for $2 million

The former 1st round pick has desperately sought more opportunities in Cincinnati but just hasn’t gotten them. Now he’s hurt again. It’s clear he needs a fresh start elsewhere. Chicago offers a wide open depth chart aside from Darnell Mooney. Just imagine those two with their ridiculous speed on the field at the same time.

Mike Pouncey – 1-year deal for $5 million

Health has been an issue for the former Pro Bowler the past few years. Not to mention his age (32). Still, he can be effective when healthy. The Bears need an upgrade at center. Inserting Pouncey there would allow them to shift Cody Whitehair to right guard, hopefully fixing both interior positions at once.

Hassan Ridgeway – 1-year deal for $990,000

Roy Robertson-Harris will probably be gone next year. The Bears have to look at maintaining their defensive line depth. If Jay Rodgers survives as the position coach, he’s proven to be quite good with untapped talents like Ridgeway.

Sidney Jones – 1-year deal for $990,000

Ability was never in question with Jones. When he plays, he looks like a starting NFL cornerback. His problem is staying on the field. Injuries plagued him in Philadelphia. He seems to have had a nice rebound in Jacksonville and could be an underrated addition to this secondary. He’s only 24-years old.

The Draft:

Trade – #16 pick to Jaguars for #25 pick for 3rd and 7th round picks

1st round (via JAX) – Kyle Trask, QB, Florida

It’s hard to envision the Bears not taking a quarterback early in this draft. Mitch Trubisky will be gone. Tyler Bray will be gone. Nick Foles may leave if he wants but even if he doesn’t, the team has to go after the next guy if possible. Kyle Trask is one of those guys that sneak up on you. He doesn’t have any special traits physically. Good size, decent mobility, and an okay-not-great arm. Yet he also has no serious weaknesses either. Scouts would call him a “high floor” prospect.

Maybe not a future Hall of Famer but a player with the kind of ability to have a long, productive career as an NFL starter. The fact he’s ripped through the SEC for 28 touchdowns in six games tells you he might be more than the sum of his parts.

Kyle Trask keeps his 🎩 in the ring for Heisman 🐊 pic.twitter.com/gSEzrdQLtw

— ESPN (@espn) November 15, 2020

Trade – #48 pick to Raiders for #57 pick and 4th rounder

2nd round (via MIA) – Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech

The Bears have waited too long to make a move at left tackle. It’s time. Darrisaw has really impressed this season at Virginia Tech. He’s not the most imposing physical specimen but he’s a big athlete with foot quickness and enough strength to anchor. He’s at his best in pass protection and could get much better in the run game as he continues to fill out his frame with more mass.

2nd round (via LAV) – Hamilcar Rashed Jr., EDGE, Oregon State

When it comes to productivity, Basham Jr. has the goods. He had 14 sacks last year. Unfortunately, the craziness of 2020 hasn’t allowed him to showcase his progress this year. That may actually work in the Bears’ favor by getting him in the 2nd round. He’s explosive off the edge and doesn’t lax when it comes to stopping the run either. If he adds a few more moves to his arsenal, he’ll be dangerous.

3rd round – Tyler Vrabel, OT, Boston College

The son of Titans head coach Mike Vrabel. So already you know the kid is a technician who knows the game inside and out. Couple this with a nasty temperament, size, and good athletic traits. He has the chops to start on the edge in the NFL. He’ll be a big help to the running game right off the bat.

3rd round (via JAX) – Anthony Schwartz, WR, Auburn

Not boasting much in the size department but Schwartz makes up for it with his mixture of speed and route-running prowess. This guy knows how to get open and does it routinely for Auburn. This adds yet more zoom to the Bears receiving corps.

4th round (via LAV) – Jeremy Ruckert, TE, Ohio State

With Graham likely exiting the picture, the Bears will hopefully feature Cole Kmet moving forward. The problem is he’s a Y-tight end. A two-way guy who blocks and receives. They need somebody with receiving prowess who fill Graham’s spot at the “U” position. He has size, athleticism, and a great pair of hands.

🎶 Welcome back, welcome back, welcome back 🎶

Feleipe Franks with a dime in The Swamp to put Arkansas on the board 💪 pic.twitter.com/soPYKzaMsK

— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) November 15, 2020

5th round – Feleipe Franks, QB, Arkansas

Why take one quarterback when you can take two? The Bears need a QB and it’s time to stop messing around. Franks transferred out of Florida when Trask took over, so this is kind of ironic. That said, the kid is 6’6 with solid mobility, a strong arm, and has shown progress in his accuracy and ability to work from within the pocket.

5th round (via NO) – Cory Durden, DE, Florida State

More young depth for that aging defensive line. Durden doesn’t get a lot of fanfare because his sack numbers are never high. Don’t be fooled. This is a big, strong young man who has a frightening bull rush and can hold his ground against the run. A prototypical 3-4 defensive end.

7th round (via JAX) – Demetric Felton, RB, UCLA

The loss of Tarik Cohen looms large for the Bears. It proves just how lacking they were in terms of big play ability at that position once he went down. Felton will add more of that. He’s a versatile weapon who is particularly dangerous in the passing game. Just in case people weren’t already clear on what this Chicago Bears 2021 mock offseason was getting at.