With the release of Eddie Jackson and Cody Whitehair, the Bears have started one of the most important off-seasons in franchise history.
As of this moment, the Bears have $66,966,157 in salary cap.
The Bears will have approx. $46,966,157 in salary cap after the following;
Draft Picks: $15 million
Practice Squad: $5 million
What does a potential off-season look like for Chicago? Well, why don’t we find out?
Extensions:
Jaylon Johnson (Franchise Tag worth $18 million)
Jaylon Johnson proved that he was one of the best corners in the game this past season. Ryan Poles dropped the ball when it came to getting an extension done earlier because the price has only risen since then.
Giving Jaylon the franchise tag does come with its risks, the possibility of a second trade request. Ideally, you’d want the Bears to figure out a long-term deal but that doesn’t seem to be on the horizon.
Patrick Scales: 2-years, $2.3 million ($1.15 million AAV)
Not much needs to be said about re-signing Pat Scales, you need a long snapper.
Equanimeous St. Brown: 1-year, $1.2 million
St. Brown has been a solid depth piece for the Bears the last two seasons, so I wouldn’t be opposed to the Bears giving him another 1-year deal to be their fourth or fifth wide receiver in 2024.
Total Salary Cap after extensions: $26,616,157
Trades:
Steelers Acquire:
2025 fourth-round pick
QB Justin Fields
Bears Acquire:
2024 first-round pick (pick 20)
Has Justin Fields been the problem in Chicago? No, but he hasn’t been the solution either. Moving forward with a new QB benefits both sides because it allows both parties to start fresh.
Sending Justin Fields to Pittsburgh allows him to work with two guys who think highly of him, according to numerous reports, Mike Tomlin and Arthur Smith.
The ability to add another first-round pick, albeit we don’t know what the return for Justin Fields could be, allows you to be even more flexible heading into a crucial off-season.
Total Salary Cap after trades: $29,849,605
Free Agency:
EDGE A.J. Epenesa: 3-years, $17.1 million ($5.6 million AAV)
Chicago still needs to find their pass rusher opposite of Montez Sweat and A.J. Epensa could be that guy.
Epenesa, coming off of a 6.5 sack season, worked with new Bears DC Eric Washington while in Buffalo.
Epenesa already has something that Ryan Poles looks for in his free agents, being an Illinois native. Since 2022, A.J. Epenesa has 13 sacks and three forced fumbles.
S Jeremy Chinn: 2-years, $7.2 million ($3.6 million AAV)
The former second-round pick hasn’t been as exciting as the Panthers have hoped.
However, adding him to a secondary that includes Jaylon Johnson, Tyrique Stevenson, Kyler Gordon, and Jaquan Brisker could do wonders for his career.
Chinn missed part of the season due to injury but seemed on the uptick when on the field.
C Tyler Biadasz: 3-years, $21.4 million ($8.03 million AAV)
Center will be a massive need for the Bears heading into the 2024 NFL season. With the Bears likely heading into a season with a rookie QB, likely USC’s Caleb Williams, the question of pairing a rookie QB with a rookie center or a veteran center arises.
I believe that pairing a rookie QB with a veteran center would be more beneficial because of what the veteran can show the rookie QB.
Biadasz, a former fourth-round pick out of Wisconsin, has been the starting center in Dallas since he replaced Travis Frederick in 2020. Biasasz would be an immediate upgrade from what the Bears have had recently, along with being fairly cheap.
Total Salary Cap after Free-Agency: $12,614,272
Following a free agency period that is integral for the future of this franchise, the Bears will head to a 2024 NFL Draft that may be more important due to holding two top-10 picks.
With that being said, let’s look at how the Bears could leave the draft feeling even better about the roster than before.
Mock Draft:
1st Overall: Caleb Williams, QB, USC
After my projected trade, the Bears’ need for a QB becomes even more prevalent than before. After watching Caleb Williams’ tape, I have publicly said that he is the best QB prospect since former Indianapolis Colts QB, Andrew Luck.
In my evaluation of Williams, I saw elite play when it came to the quick game. When he hits his back foot on those quick developing plays he’s getting the ball out of his hands almost simultaneously, something the Bears have lacked in a QB recently.
I have Patrick Mahomes as my comp for Williams due to his ability to manipulate his arm slot when making throws and his mannerisms when moving behind the pocket.
9th Overall: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
Nabers falling to the Bears at nine feels like a longshot, but with the Chargers likely taking a tight end, Georgia’s Brock Bowers, it makes it feel more plausible that Nabers would be available for Chicago select at the backend of the top 10.
The LSU wideout had an explosive junior season, one where he made a case for the Biletnikoff Award, and solidified himself as a future NFL star.
In 2023, Nabers amassed 1,569 yards and 14 touchdowns off of only 89 receptions.
20th Overall: Jer’Zhan Newton, DT, Illinois
With this being the Bears' third first-round selection, it just becomes a luxury pick. The team could go many routes with this pick, but I think addressing the interior defensive line makes a lot of sense.
Newton, the pillar of the Illini defense, has had an interesting shift in his draft stock throughout the 2023 season.
As a junior, Newton put up solid numbers, including, 7.5 sacks, one forced fumble, two pass deflections, and 52 tackles.
75th Overall: Sedrick Van Pran, IOL, Georgia
111th Overall: Braelon Allen, RB, Wisconsin
123rd Overall: Ben Sinnott, TE, Kansas State
143rd Overall: Zion Tupuola-Fetui, EDGE, Washington
The Bears have an interesting few months ahead, but it starts with the decision at quarterback. Is it still Justin Fields’ team or is it the start of the Caleb Williams era?
At the end of the day, it’s just Ryan Poles’ world and we are all living in it.
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