The latest Chicago Bears 2021 mock offseason considers the one question that has dogged fans for a long time. Have previous changes made by ownership gone deep enough? It was reported five years ago that Chris Ballard wanted to make wholesale changes to the entire structure of the organization. Apparently, it was so significant that the McCaskeys balked and decided to go with Ryan Pace instead.

It’s unclear what those changes would’ve been. Either way, it’s clearer than ever the Bears need a clean slate. They’ve tried it their way for a long time and it just isn’t working. Every decade it’s the same thing. Great defense. Solid special teams. Bad offense and no quarterback. Maybe it might be time to think a little outside the box. At least in their terms.

With that, here is the newest idea for what they can do.

This Chicago Bears 2021 mock offseason is all about change

Front office and Coaching changes:

Ted Phillips fired as team president and replaced by Trace Armstrong

People have called for the Bears to remove Phillips as team president for years. It’s not hard to see why. Since he took over in 1999, the team has five playoff appearances. Five. Considering the man has a background in accounting, it was always baffling why the McCaskey family thought it was a smart idea putting him in charge of a football team. Shouldn’t they have somebody in charge with a background in…you know…football?

That is where this gets tricky. If the Bears are going to remove the 68-year old Phillips, they’ll want somebody with a football background but won’t want to lose the business sense that the guy had. That is what makes Armstrong so perfect. He played 211 games in the NFL, racking up 106 sacks as a defensive end. Chicago drafted him in 1989 and he was a standout for them until he was traded in 1995.

During his playing days, he was elected as president of the NFL Players Association. A job he’d hold until his retirement in 2004. After that, he became an agent representing both college and pro coaches including Mike McCarthy and Tom Herman. So he’s familiar with both sides. Business and football. He’s also no stranger to leadership. The Bears could do a lot worse.

Ryan Pace fired as general manager and replaced by Will McClay

Armstrong has strong ties down in Texas. McCarthy is the current head coach of the Dallas Cowboys. So he’ll have a pretty good inkling of how that team is structured and certain people who have stroke in the organization. One guy who continues to generate buzz is McClay, their VP of Player Personnel. He’s been in the Dallas front office since 2011 and started being part of major personnel decisions by 2014.

With his help, the Cowboys secured players like Zack Martin, Demarcus Lawrence, Byron Jones, Jaylon Smith, Dak Prescott, Michael Gallup, Leighton Vander Esch, and CeeDee Lamb. He has a defensive background as a player and coach but clearly has a firm understanding of how to locate strong offensive talent. He also understands leadership. This guy is ready to be a GM.

Matt Nagy hired as head coach and replaced by Brandon Staley

Chicago at its heart is a defensive town. Armstrong was a defensive guy. McClay was a defensive guy. It shouldn’t be a huge surprise they might target a defensive guy for head coach. Staley was outside linebackers coach in Chicago from 2017 through 2018. He followed Vic Fangio to Denver in 2019 before being lured west to L.A where he took over the Rams defense under Sean McVay. That defense ranks 2nd in total yards and 4th in points allowed. The guy’s rise has been truly meteoric.

He is already known for his high intelligence, tactical sense, motivational skills, and fierce competitiveness. All traits a good head coach needs to have. He’s only 37-years old, which raises some concerns about his limited experience. At the same time, young head coaches are the norm these days. He looks ready for an opportunity.

Cuts:

• Jimmy Graham – $7 million
• Charles Leno Jr. (post-June 1st) – $9 million
• Buster Skrine (post-June 1st) – $5 million

The Bears will enter next offseason needing every penny they can get their hands on. Using the post-June 1st designation on Leno and Skrine allows them to secure a significant amount of extra cap space by spreading the hit out into 2022 rather than just 2021. This will give the team more flexibility and the salary cap should go back up by that point presuming fans are allowed back in stadiums. It’s a smart play that gives the new regime some breathing space.

Salary cap: $23.588 million

Trades:

Allen Robinson (tag-and-trade) to the Jets for a 2nd round pick

It’s clearer than ever that Robinson is likely on his way out. The only thing to determine is how he’ll leave. Will it be as a free agent? Or will the Bears attempt a tag-and-trade scenario. Given the value the receiver has, there are bound to be a few teams out there willing to trade for him. The Jets have both the picks and the money he’ll be looking for. He’ll get to play with Trevor Lawrence in New York and the Bears get back a solid pick in exchange.

Kyle Fuller to the Seahawks for a 2nd round pick

Seattle loves to construct its defense through the secondary and their system with off-coverage and lots of zone is tailor-made for Fuller. His brand of football is everything Pete Carroll could love. That is a team in win-now mode with Russell Wilson at quarterback. They’ve put together some nice young pieces on defense. Now they need a strong veteran presence to bring it together.

Akiem Hicks to the Broncos for a 4th round pick

This will probably be the toughest loss of all. It’s clear Hicks is the heart and soul of that defense. However, he’s pushing into his 30s and is starting to get banged up more often. With this team headed for a reboot, it is best for both parties to part ways. Reuniting with Vic Fangio in Denver would have plenty of appeal for him, giving an already solid defense even more firepower.

Salary cap: $45.088 million

Re-signings/Extensions:

Roy Robertson-Harris – 3-year deal for $18 million ($4 million 2021 cap hit)

With Hicks being sent elsewhere, it’s going to be a tough blow to the Bears defensive line. They would be wise to shore up the depth as much as possible without breaking the bank. Robertson-Harris may never be the force he should be but he’s a decent pass rusher and a solid run defender. He can be a starter for them moving forward at an affordable price.

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

Another lineman who really surprised this year. Edwards has established himself as a capable rotational pass rusher good for some QB pressures, a hit, or a sack every week. He’s done enough to earn a pay raise and some long-term security.

Cairo Santos – 4-year deal for $17.2 million

One guy who has firmly established himself as the unquestioned man is Santos. He’s now hit his past 26 kicks in a row. The 28-year old is in a zone, playing his best football since 2016 before he got injured. Chicago has sorely missed stability at kicker. Now they have it.

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

No surprises here. The idea is trying to maintain some quality depth wherever they can at affordable prices. McCullers should be a nice backup to Eddie Goldman at nose tackle. Houston Carson is a solid special teams guy and backup safety. One guy to watch moving forward is Bars who continues to make a positive impression at guard.

Salary cap: $27.403 million

Free agency:

JuJu Smith-Schuster – 4-year deal for $67 million ($8 million 2021 cap hit)

The Bears have to find a way to replace Allen Robinson. They just have to. Pittsburgh is facing cap issues next year and isn’t likely to retain Smith-Schuster. He isn’t quite on Robinson’s level but the guy is a good football player. He runs strong routes, catches the ball well, can get open, and also doesn’t shrink from run-blocking duties. A trio of him, Darnell Mooney, and Anthony Miller should be serviceable for the time being.

William Jackson III – 2-year deal for $13 million

Losing Fuller is going to open a major hold in the Bears secondary. The best thing for them to do is shore it up with some veteran help. They have Jaylon Johnson who should continue to improve from an impressive rookie year. William Jackson is a former 1st round pick with tons of ability but never quite put it all together in Cincinnati. He can be a solid #2 across from Johnson though and maybe Staley can bring more out of him.

Jacob Hollister – 1-year deal for $1.5 million

Graham leaving means it will be the Cole Kmet show at tight end. That said, the Bears have depth concerns to address. Hollister flashed a ton of promise in 2019 before injuries got in the way. He can be a quality pass catcher and has the athletic profile to be a “U” tight end, which will complement Kmet well.

Salary cap: $11.403 million

The Draft:

*Trade – #14 pick to the Jaguars for #26 pick, 2nd rounder, and 4th rounder

1st round (via JAX) – Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech

The Bears need fresh faces. A lot of fresh faces. Especially on offense. For that they need picks. By moving back they’re able to secure even more than they had with prior trades before the draft. Now they aim to take full advantage of what looks to be a strong offensive line class. Darrisaw has all the tools. He’s a big dude who moves well as an athlete. He can block guys consistently in pass protection and really stands out with his power in the running game.

2nd round (via NYJ) – Kyle Trask, QB, Florida

Trask has played outstanding at Florida this year with 31 TD passes and just three interceptions. He’s got NFL size, good field vision, plenty of accuracy and plays with a lot of poise. The big issue teams will have with him is the upside. It feels like he might close to maxed out given his okay arm strength and general lack of mobility. He may not have the ceiling of others in this draft but his floor is among the highest.

2nd round – Marvin Wilson, DL, Florida State

The Bears did pretty well the last time they went to FSU for defensive line help. See Eddie Goldman. There is a lot to like about Wilson too. He’s got the required size for a 3-4 defensive end. His power stands out immediately and he can simply overwhelm offensive linemen with it quite often. Don’t be fooled though. He has the quickness and burst to split double teams as well. This is somebody who should be a better pro than a college player.

2nd round (via JAX) – Jackson Carman, OT, Clemson

One of the things the Bears have really lacked in recent years is a true tone-setter up front. Kyle Long was that guy early in his career. Since he started getting hurt and then retired, it went missing. Carman won’t win awards for athleticism but he makes up for it with good technique and a mean streak a mile long. This guy plays nasty. He’ll pave the way in the running game and understands the responsibility of protecting franchise-caliber QBs.

2nd round (via SEA) – Jaelen Phillips, EDGE, Miami

The defense is situated with edge rushers for the time being with Khalil Mack and Robert Quinn but both are getting into their 30s. It’s time to start thinking beyond them at some point. Phillips is the perfect developmental prospect. He has every tool one could desire for a pass rusher from speed to quickness, length, and power. It’s a matter of whether he can stay healthy and whether he can improve his arsenal of moves.

3rd round – Kary Vincent Jr., CB, LSU

If this young man were a few inches taller, he’d probably be a 1st round pick. He has the sort of fluidity, quickness, and speed those top cornerbacks in the NFL need. He can man up against wide receivers consistently and is particularly good at playing the ball. However, he’s only 5’8 so physicality will be a question. Odds are he’ll be a slot guy, which should serve the Bears just fine.

4th round (via DEN) – Zion Johnson, OG, Boston College

Not the biggest guy among guards but he sure plays like it. Has the athleticism and power base to hold his own against anybody. Stands out the most in pass protection. He plays with a controlled fury and rarely gets caught making big mistakes.

4th round (via JAX) – Tylan Wallace, WR, Oklahoma State

One of the things the Bears have really missed going back years is yards after the catch. None of their receivers seem capable of providing it these days. So they go out and get a guy like Wallace. He runs smoothly with solid size and speed. Once the ball is in his hands, he’s tough to bring down. Always working hard.

5th round – Caden Sterns, S, Texas

One thing that must always stand out with good safeties is instincts. Sterns has them to go along with a good-sized body and athleticism to handle himself in coverage. Where he needs to improve is his ability to drop down into the box and stop the run. Too much inconsistency at this point.

6th round – Paddy Fisher, ILB, Northwestern

A model of consistency. All Fisher has done is produce for the Wildcats since he was a freshman. Through 45 games he has 373 tackles, 10 forced fumbles, two sacks, and four interceptions. The guy is extremely smart and instinctive. Unfortunately, he suffers from average athleticism and inconsistent tackling.

7th round (via MIA) – Ian Book, QB, Notre Dame

People will say he doesn’t have the size or the arm for the NFL. It’s hard to argue. Yet the fact remains Ian Book plays for a top program in college football and just continues to find ways to win. He’s so poised under pressure and moves around as well as anybody. He may never be a starter at the pro level but he could be the perfect backup.

Hopefully this Chicago Bears 2021 mock offseason illustrates how much work can be done.