Chicago Bears 2022 Mock Offseason: Swing For The Fences

Each Chicago Bears 2022 mock offseason figures to look a bit different. Not just in terms of the players acquired either. It is becoming more and more apparent that changes are coming at the top of the organization. Head coach Matt Nagy is all but gone and GM Ryan Pace may not be far behind. This makes predicting what they do with the roster even more challenging than usual.

That said, one must continue to explore the possibilities. This time around, it will be about George McCaskey aiming high. Going for guys with established track records of success. A former GM that already has tons of experience building a winning team and a head coach that learned from some of the best in the business. All while dispelling one of the weirdest rumors about the organization.

Chicago Bears 2022 mock offseason goes for the kill

Coaching and Front office changes:

Ryan Pace replaced by former Texans GM Rick Smith

It was a genuine shock when Smith was forced to step away from Houston in 2017. While the official reason was a desire to be with his ailing wife who was battling cancer, many believe he was the victim of a power play by Jack Easterby and Bill O’Brien. It isn’t a huge surprise that the organization soon began falling apart after he left, no longer enjoying his steady direction and solid track record of roster building.

Nobody can argue the man had a keen eye for talent. DeAndre Hopkins, Duane Brown, Brandon Brooks, J.J. Watt, Johnathan Joseph, and Deshaun Watson were just some of the notable studs he brought to Houston during his decade-long run. It’s so unfortunate he didn’t get a chance to see things through with Watson, having endured long years without a quarterback. He’d have a chance to change that with Justin Fields.

Matt Nagy replaced by Buccaneers offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich

After watching his work in Houston, Smith has a particular approach when it comes to hiring head coaches. They must fit two key criteria. This includes having a strong offensive background with considerable coordinator experience and they must come from having worked under a Super Bowl-winning head coach. This was the case with Gary Kubiak in 2006 and again with Bill O’Brien in 2014.

The man who fits that criteria best is Leftwich. He’s spent three seasons as the offensive coordinator in Tampa Bay now, finding success with both Jameis Winston and Tom Brady. This includes a Super Bowl victory last season under Bruce Arians. Leftwich is a former QB himself who lasted 10 seasons in the NFL. On top of that, his offensive system is built around attacking down the field. Something that would fit Fields’ skillset quite well.

Cuts:

• Nick Foles – $3 million saved
• Danny Trevathan (post-June 1st) – $3.5 million saved

Unless the Bears are ready and willing to absorb massive amount of dead cap, there just aren’t many feasible cuts they can make at this stage. Even Foles will bring a significant dead money hit of over $7 million. These are the consequences of Pace constantly pushing money down the road with restructures. They could look to move on from Tarik Cohen but given how few explosive weapons they have, it is more likely the team will keep him around to see if he can regain his old form once fully healed from the knee injury.

Salary cap: $45.1 million

Re-signings/Extensions:

• Roquan Smith – 5-year extension for $99 million (lowers 2022 cap hit to $5 million)
• James Daniels – 4-year deal for $32 million (2022 cap hit of $4 million)
• Bilal Nichols – 3-year deal for $24 million (2022 cap hit of $4 million)
• Sam Mustipher – 1-year ERFA tender for $895,000
• DeAndre Houston-Carson – 1-year deal for $1.035 million
• Alec Ogletree – 1-year deal for $1.12 million
• Marquise Goodwin – 1-year deal for $1.12 million
• Elijah Wilkinson – 1-year deal for $1.035 million
• Alex Bars – 1-year deal for $965,000
• Joel Iyiegbuniwe – 1-year deal for $1.035 million
• Jesper Horsted – 1-year ERFA tender for $895,000
• Pat O’Donnell – 1-year deal for $1.75 million
• Patrick Scales – 1-year deal for $1.035 million

Even a new GM will recognize immediately that Smith takes priority here as the focal point of the defense. Also having three starting offensive linemen as free agents isn’t ideal, so they quickly lock up Daniels long-term and secure Mustipher on a cheap one-year tender. As for Nichols, while he hasn’t had a breakout season as many hoped he will still be vital to maintaining defensive line depth with Akiem Hicks set to depart.

The rest of the moves are about maintaining overall depth and special teams security. Houston-Carson is somebody who deserves an extended look at safety while also being an ace of the third phase. With Trevathan out, Ogletree seems like their only viable option to start next to Smith at inside linebacker. Goodwin, Wilkinson, and Bars can be serviceable reserves on offense while Iyiegbuniwe will remain a special teams fixture.

Salary cap: 

Free agency:

D.J. Chark – 2-year deal for $20 million (2021 cap hit of $5 million)

A guy with plenty of talent but also rotten luck. He was saddled with Blake Bortles as his quarterback down in Jacksonville. Then when he finally gets somebody new in Trevor Lawrence, the receiver broke his ankle. Chark has a fun mixture of speed and quickness. He’s able to get open down the field, which fits the type of offense the Bears would play under Leftwich. He and Darnell Mooney could make a deadly combination.

Jamison Crowder – 2-year deal for $20 million (2021 cap hit of $5 million)

Probably one of the most overlooked slot receivers in the NFL. The man is a consistent producer despite a myriad of quarterback and scheme issues with the New York Jets. Quickness, route-running, and strong hands. Crowder uses all three to great effect. He can be an absolute money option on 3rd down. Something this team is missing.

Great effort by Jamison Crowder for the scorepic.twitter.com/PHAiSwqFV0

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) October 11, 2020

Charvarius Ward – 4-year deal for $56 million (2021 cap hit of $7 million)

No defense has pulled a bigger turnaround this season than the Kansas City Chiefs. A big reason for that is the improvements in the secondary. While L’Jarius Sneed gets most of the attention, Ward has also seen major improvement from last year. Quarterbacks have a passer rating of just 70.7 when targeting the 6’1 cornerback.

Tyler Larsen – 1-year deal for $1.035 million

There is never any harm in seeking competition at every position. This Chicago Bears 2022 mock offseason may have brought back Mustipher at center, but it’s a safe bet the new regime would want to bring in a challenger. Larsen is an able veteran with starting experience. He is a solid pass protector and serviceable run blocker.

Salary cap: $12.18 million

The Draft:

2nd round: George Pickens, WR, Georgia

Remember this offseason must be about maximizing Justin Fields however possible. That means weapons, weapons, and more weapons. Many thought Pickens was done after tearing his ACL in the spring. Not only did he successfully return towards the end of the season, but he also flashed his massive potential in the SEC championship against Alabama with two catches for 41 yards in just his second game back. The receiver is 6’3 with good speed and great body control. His route running skills are also impressive. This is a freak athlete that has the potential to be a true #1 target for a young quarterback.

3rd round: Travis Jones, IDL, Connecticut

Losing Hicks is going to hurt the Bears defense. They must remain proactive in keeping that defensive front stocked with young talent. Playing at UConn, it’s easy to get overlooked. Jones though is a talent that deserves attention. Big, strong, athletic, and by all accounts a tremendous leader. Somebody that plays with power and a relentless motor. He can stop the run well and is developing as an interior pass rusher. With more polish, he will be a long-term starter in any defense regardless of scheme.

4th round: Jermaine Waller, CB, Virginia Tech

Few programs churn out good cornerbacks more often than VT. The Bears should know. Kyle Fuller came from there. Waller is built in a similar vein. Good size, plenty of length, athletic, and plays with a hard-nosed style. He can match up with wide receivers man-to-man and has the speed to hang with them down the field. He’s also a solid tackler in run defense. The big questions with him rest with discipline and route recognition. Two things that can get him in trouble at this level.

5th round (via HOU): Isaiah Pola-Mao, S, USC

Safeties don’t usually come in packages that include a 6’4 frame. Pola-Mao is an exception. Not only that but he’s more than willing to use it, throwing his weight around as both a tackler and hitter. He has the intelligence to play the back end and enough coverage skills to man up on tight ends. The big concerns with him are health-related. Two shoulder surgeries in college is not ideal for somebody whose game is built around physicality.

5th round: Cade Otton, TE, Washington

Like it or not, it is clear Cole Kmet has a ceiling at tight end. He’s big, strong, and athletic enough to be a solid blocker that can catch the occasional passes. What he is not is a game-changing weapon. They need a more explosive option at that position. Otton fits that profile. Not only is he 6’5, but he displays the speed, quickness, and route-running savvy of a natural pass catcher at tight end. He was never featured much in Washington but the kid has the traits.