To prepare for an NFL season, it starts with an audit: what are the strengths and weaknesses of the workforce? Then, how to strengthen via the market and the draft. The editorial staff of DNA of Sports invites you to take stock of the off-season of the 32 franchises.
Year 2 of the Matt Eberflus era in Chicago. After a sad record of 14 losses for only 3 small victories, the Bears can only do better. If we want to look at the glass half empty, the Bears’ workforce is scary in most positions, and far from being able to compete with the best teams in the league.
If we want to be optimistic, the Bears have many advantages: no big contracts in the workforce (including a quarterback still under rookie contract), insane leeway in terms of payroll (almost 100 million dollars ) which should allow them to attract high-level players, and especially a first draft pick that they could exchange for a real ransom to teams looking for their quarterback franchise.
The owners
1. Justin Fields (QB)
2. Teven Jenkins (G)
3. Jaquan Brisker (S)
Justin Fields is not yet a top NFL quarterback, far from it. In 2022, Fields has only thrown beyond 200 yards twice, when a Patrick Mahomes has only thrown BELOW 200 yards once. However, the former Ohio Buckeye has shown at times that he can be a true NFL quarterback, whether with a vertical passing game that made him successful in college, or thanks to his legs of fire (1,143 yards and 8 TD) which set him up as a double threat so feared by NFL defenses.
To support him, Fields can count on the good bet Teven Jenkins on the offensive line. The former Tackle at the university level had an almost white season last year (only two tenures). This season, and despite a few minor new injuries, he was the best bulwark on the Bears offensive line (only two sacks conceded in 576 snaps). At just 24, he should be a pillar of Chicago’s future if his body leaves him alone.
Finally, rookie Jaquan Brisker is the revelation of the Bears defense. In a violent style comparable, all things considered, to ex-Seahawks Kam Chancellor, Brisker makes dearly pay for the incursions of opposing players into the areas for which he is responsible. Modern safety, he is not confined only to the defensive backfield but can also play close to the line of engagement, as evidenced by his five tackles for loss.
The unwanted
Eddie Jackson (S)
The Bears have made a clean sweep at all levels. Exit the expensive veterans such as Robert Quinn (Eagles), Mario Edwards (Titans) or the All-Pro Roquan Smith, sent to Baltimore. With his 29 candles, Eddie Jackson is the last element of the good defense of the Bears in recent seasons. If he still performs at an honorable level, Jackson is no longer this All-Pro safety of 2018, capable of covering all the deep zones, especially since he did not finish the season, victim of a foot fracture (Lisfranc fracture) which could deprive him of the start of next season.
Above all, Jackson is the biggest current contract, with a salary of $ 17 million in 2023. Expensive for a player probably out of action for part of the season and on the downward slope in terms of performance. The advent of Jaquan Brisker could tempt the Bears to cut it, and save 7.5 million in the process.
The summer man
Chase Claypool (WR)
Equipping your young quarterback with a wide receiver has been the winning strategy of recent seasons for the Bills (Josh Allen/Stefon Diggs), Chargers (Justin Herbert/Mike Williams/Keenan Allen), Bengals (Joe Burrow/Ja’Marr Chase ) or the Dolphins (Tua Tagovailoa/Tyreek Hill). The Bears understood this, and in the absence of big receivers available on the market, they bet on the potential.
While they were getting rid of their stars to prepare for the future, Chicago nevertheless made the choice to send a second round draft pick to the Steelers to recover Claypool, a physical monster capable of incredible receptions but for the moment not very productive (his season rookie, already 3 years ago, is his best statistically with only 873 receiving yards).
If Claypool is not yet a star at the level of the aforementioned receivers, he must pass a course to allow Fields to pass one as a quarterback.
The main free agents
1. David Montgomery (RB)
2. Riley Reiff (OT)
3. Byron Pringle (WR)
4. Michael Schofield (OG)
5. Nicholas Morrow (OLB)
and also: Angelo Blackson (DE), N’Keal Harry (WR), Ryan Griffin (TE), Dante Pettis (WR), Nathan Peterman (QB), Khari Blasingame (FB), DeAndre Houston-Carson (S)
Clearly, no irreplaceable profile on the Chicago side, with most Bears free agents being relatively unknown in the NFL. David Montgomery has been a cornerstone of the attack, but the young Khalil Herbert (731 yards, 5.7 yards per carry) seems ready to take over.
Justin Fields’ receiving corps will also be amputated from Pringle or even Pettis, but these are only third or fourth options that should be easily replaced.
The top 5 needs
1. Offensive Tackle
2. Defensive Tackle
3.Wide Receiver
4. Defensive End
5. Linebacker
Almost any position on a football team could have been in this top 5. Nonetheless, relieving Justin Fields seems to be priority number 1. Sacked 55 times, more than anyone else in the NFL, Fields will not be able to develop if he is constantly under pressure. It should be possible to find better performers than Braxton Jones (7 sacks allowed) or Larry Borom (5 sacks allowed) as offensive tackle.
Always with a view to supporting Fields, we need a plan B in the event that Chase Claypool and Darnell Mooney do not give satisfaction. Without help, Fields will be doomed to take his legs to his shot to win first attempts.
On the other side of the ball, the Bears must find their letters of nobility by reconstituting a defensive line capable of stopping opposing runners. In 2022, Chicago allowed 157 yards on the ground per game (2nd worst total in the league): the line is a real sieve.
Finally, Chicago needs to replenish the rest of its front 7. The team no longer really has a talent pass rusher (last in the league in number of sacks), and the huge void left by Roquan Smith on the second curtain struggles to be filled by Joe Thomas.
Target
Kaleb McGary (RT)
At the end of the contract on the side of Atlanta, McGary would be the perfect addition to the Chicago line. Monstrous on the run block (2nd best rating for a tackle according to PFF, behind Trent Williams), it would open up boulevards for Fields or Khalil Herbert. On the pass protection side, McGary has a very honorable level.
The Bears can break the bank, their wallet is full, and McGary is the best player in that position for their system. In case of failure, Mike McGlinchey (49ers) could also do the trick.
The new blood
Jalen Carter (DT)
In the 2022 Draft, five Georgia faculty players were selected in the first round. Five defenders, including three on the defensive line: Travon Walker (DE), drafted in first position by the Jaguars, Jordan Davis (DT) at the Eagles and Devonte Wyatt (DT) on the side of the Packers. Jalen Carter, however, was the most promising in this defense of the 2021 University Champion Bulldogs, according to some analysts. Carter won the championship again in 2022.
If the most reasoned compare Jalen Carter to Kawann Short (ex-Panthers) or Jeffery Simmons (Titans), others dare to draw a parallel with Warren Sapp (ex-Buccaneers), an NFL legend at the post of DT. Carter’s talent is undeniable, and the player would provide such a welcome help in the center of the defensive line. The player has all the potential to become the figurehead of the defense of the Bears, orphan of a superstar since they let Roquan Smith slip away.
The Bears will still have to be careful with their first-round pick. If they wish to exchange their first choice, it will not be necessary to go too low, under penalty of seeing Carter being selected by another team.
