Open Rants by Zdubs

Chicago Bears Mock Offseason

With the signing of Matt Nagy as head coach and the release of John Fox, Pace shows his desire to progress on offense and develop Mitchell Trubisky. Pace and Nagy teamed up to bring back Vic Fangio chasing continuity on the defense. With this in mind Pace moves into the offseason with the intent to give Nagy, Fangio and Trubisky the tools they need to be relevant again in the NFC North.

Free agency:

Base Cap:

$38.6 million

Cuts:

Mike Glennon – $12.5 million saved

Josh Sitton - $7,906,250 saved

Pernell McPhee – $7.075 million saved

Markus Wheaton – $5 million saved

Marcus Cooper – $4.5 million saved

Quintin Demps – $3.26 million saved

Willie Young – $4.5 million saved

Jerrell Freeman – $3.5 million saved

Bobbie Massie- $5,584,375 saved

New Cap: 

$92.42 million

Resignings:

Cam Meredith            2 yrs 6 million

Kendall Wright           2 yrs 6 million

Daniel Brown              3 yrs 5 million

Tom Compton            2 yrs 2 million

Kyle Fuller                   3 yrs 30 million

Sherrick McManis    2 yrs 4 million

DeAndre Houston-Carson 2 yrs 4 mil

Lamar Houston         1 yr 4 million

Christian Jones        3 yrs 10 million

Pat O’Donnell            2 yrs 5 million 

Patrick Scales           2 yrs 2 million

Dontrelle Inman        2 yrs 6 million

Benny Cunningham 2yrs 3 million

Bryce Callahan         2 yrs 4 million

New remaining Cap:

$51.429 million

Malcom Butler           3 yrs 30 million

Allen Robinson          3 yrs 27 million

Andrew Norwell        3 yrs 27 million

Paul Richardson.      2 yrs 12 million

Jeremiah Attaochu  2 yrs 6 million

Shaquil Barrett          2 yrs 6 million

Derek Anderson        2 yrs 4 million

Remaining Cap:

$9.429 million

Chicago aims for continuity on the defense and rewards young emerging players, while trimming the fat of expensive contracts to overpaid players. Chicago uses free agency spending to allow them the take a best player available approach at the draft. The signings of Allen Robinson and Paul Richardson give Mitchell Trubisky the kinds of weapons he’s never had. 

Derek Anderson brings a new veteran voice to continue his development while being a more than capable backup. Andrew Norwell is one of the elite talents in this years class of free agents and with the release of the oft injured Josh Sitton, Chicago gets younger on their offensive line without needing to expend a high pick on interior lineman in the draft. On the defense the signing of another premier free agent in Malcom Butler gives Fangio two outstanding corners to fit in his aggressive 3-4 press scheme. The signings of Attaochu and Barrett pluck 3-4 OLBs who have been haven’t fit in their 4-3 schemes. 

The draft:

Chicago trades #8 overall to Buffalo who selects Baker Mayfield. Chicago Recieves #21, #53 & #56

Round 1, 

#21 Chicago selects Arden Key who falls due to off field concerns and fits as an OLB

Round 2,

#39 Chicago selects Brian O’Neill RT

#53 Chicago selects R.J. McIntosh 3-4DE

#56 Chicago selects Terrell Edmunds for LB/S depth as he plays both roles effectively 

Round 4, 

#101 Kevin Toliver for developmental CB depth

#111 Anthony Miller Slot WR

Fifth Round,

#136 Chicago selects Daylon Mack NT for depth behind Goldman

Sixth Round, 

#168 Chicago Selects Allen Lazard WR for depth and a goal line threat

Seventh Round, 

#200 

Brandon Lingen TE for depth and as a blocker

With most of their needs filled in free agency Chicago is able to scoop falling talent and athletic potential regardless of position. With this approach Chicago takes advantage of off the field concerns to draft the second best pass rusher in this class at a value. The Bears take a shot on a replacement RT in Brian O’Neill with developmental LT potential. Chicago’s defensive continuity, staying as a 3-4, let’s them grab a falling DE in McIntosh who projects best as a 5-Tech in a 3-4 Defense and doesn’t fit 4-3 schemes as well. Edmunds is an athletic freak who currently projects as a S but with a little more weight has the talent to be an excellent middle linebacker, and would add depth while securing an heir to Trevethan. Entering the 2017 season Kevin Toliver was expecting to be a first or second round pick. With questions about his motor Toliver now projects as a day three pick, but all of that athletic talent is still there. Under Fangio’s tutelage Chicago finds a depth corner with elite athletic potential to be a top corner in the NFL and exactly the type of corner that Fangio loves. With their second pick in the 4th round Chicago picks up the criminally underrated wide out Anthony Miller as their future out of the slot position as well as giving some training camp competition to Kendall Wright. In the Fifth the Bears find some depth behind Goldman who is clearly the starter but has a lot of injury risk, and some believe Daylon Mack has some potential at the next level. Allen Lazard is a one trick pony of a prospect, but the one trick he does is very demanded at the NFL. At 6’5” he brings a huge catch radius and goal line threat that few possess. Closing out in the seventh Chicago takes a shot on another tight end, which young quarterbacks can always use more of, especially with the loss of Zach Miller.  

By using free agency to fill roster holes with young talents, Chicago continues their mantra of building through the draft with a best player available approach.