Chicago Bears 2023 Mock Offseason: Bring On The Bulldozer

Part of running a full Chicago Bears 2023 mock offseason is toeing the line between fantastical and realistic. It would be a dream for the Bears to land every big-name free agent and their player of choice in the draft. The truth is that it rarely happens. It must be about making smart moves while showing a willingness to gamble when the situation demands it. GM Ryan Poles has already shown he isn’t afraid to do this. That is why his approach next spring will be fascinating to watch.

One thing that hasn’t changed is a glaring need for help in the trenches. It doesn’t matter if the Bears focus on offense or defense. They can’t expect to win until they start controlling the line of scrimmage. So don’t be surprised when their vast salary cap space and highest draft choices get devoted to both. This mock was a fun one both because of its intricacies and also its realism.

This Chicago Bears 2023 mock offseason is about calculated risks.

Cuts:

• Al-Quadin Muhammad – $4 million saved

Re-signings/Extensions:

• Jaylon Johnson – 4-year extension for $76 million
• David Montgomery – 3-year deal for $27 million
• Cole Kmet – 4-year extension for $32.4 million
• Nicholas Morrow – 2-year deal for $10 million
• Armon Watts – 1-year deal for $1.08 million
• Equanimeous St. Brown – 1-year deal for $1.08 million
• N’Keal Harry – 1-year deal for $1.08 million
• Trevon Wescan’t1-year deal for $1.08 million
• Matthew Adams – 1-year deal for $1.08 million
• Dane Cruikshank – 1-year deal for $1.08 million
• DeAndre Houston-Carson – 1-year deal for $1.165 million
• Patrick Scales – 1-year deal $1.165 million
• Josh Blackwell – ERFA deal for $750,000

It is fully acknowledged that Montgomery isn’t at the same level as a Saquon Barkley or Josh Jacobs. That said, he is a good player, and the locker room adores him. He and Khalil Herbert are a solid tandem. Keeping him isn’t too expensive. The other new addition here is Kmet. His play over the past few months has improved dramatically. It is clear he and Justin Fields have a strong connection. So the smart thing to do is lock him up at a lower price than it could be if he keeps ascending next year.

Free Agency:

RT Jack Conklin – 3-year deal for $45 million

No, he isn’t a superstar. Yes, he’s better than both Larry Borom and Riley Reiff. Right now, this Bears 2023 mock offseason can’t operate on the assumption that Alex Leatherwood is the guy at right tackle. He’s played 10 snaps. However, they can operate on the idea he is a quality backup they can continue working with. Conklin might be a bit on the older side. Still, he’s a quality player under the age of 30 that plugs one of the biggest holes on offense for Chicago. He is an immediate upgrade over anything they have.

EDGE Yannick Ngakoue – 3-year deal for $45 million

Don’t overthink it. This Bears team needs one thing and one thing only. That is somebody who can get to the quarterback. Nitpick Ngakoeu all you want. He’s proven time and again that he can get sacks. He has 64 in his career and is still only 27 years old. The big question is whether Eberflus can look past his size. At 6’2, 245 lbs, he isn’t your traditional defensive end frame. That can’t matter here. His value is too significant to the Bears’ needs on defense.

CB Sean Murphy-Bunting – 3-year deal for $21 million

Jamel Dean will get the most attention of the Buccaneers’ free agent corners. Understandably so. Still, Murphy-Bunting has looked like a quality player when healthy. He missed eight games last year and four this year. So health is a question mark. He brings the size, physicality, and versatility the Bears want in their cornerbacks. He doesn’t need to be THE guy. He merely has to be better than Kindle Vildor, which he is.

DT Andrew Billings – 3-year deal for $18 million

This probably isn’t the defensive tackle signing fans wanted. However, it is one the Bears need. Their run defense has been a problem in 2022, and it starts up front. Billings isn’t any special interior pass rusher, but he’s become one of the best interior run defenders in the league. He is a big reason the Raiders jumped from 19th against the run last year to 10th this year. His presence will help.

The Draft:

Trade: Bears trade #2 pick to Lions for #4 pick and #15 pick

1st Round (via DET) – Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia

Detroit moves up to get their quarterback of the future while Chicago secures the extra 1st round pick they want. All of this while still staying in the top five. That enables Poles to secure their desperately needed defensive line help. Many view Carter as a special talent. His mixture of speed, quickness, and power is rare for defensive tackles. His ability to overpower interior blockers and split double teams can sometimes be awe-inspiring. The Bears’ defensive scheme is tailor-made for somebody of his abilities. It is such a natural fit.

Trade: Bears trade #15 pick to the Giants for #23 pick and two 3rd round picks

1st Round (via NYG) – Jordan Addison, WR, USC

If Addison were an inch taller and 20 lbs heavier, he’d be a top 10 pick. The USC stud is an exciting player with his cat-like quickness, good speed, and precision route-running. He may not overpower too many guys, but that is hardly necessary for today’s game. The Bears desperately need more reliable targets for Fields. Addison is his type of player, somebody a quarterback can trust to be in the right place at the right time. A trio of him, Darnell Mooney, and Chase Claypool should be fun.

2nd Round – Isaiah Foskey, EDGE, Notre Dame

There is something to be said for consistency. Foskey may not have the same exciting tape as other edge prospects in this class, but that doesn’t change one simple fact. Foskey backs up his play with numbers. In two seasons as a starter, the defensive end has 20.5 sacks and 23 tackles for a loss. He’s athletic with above-average bend and explosiveness, solid length, and plays hard on every snap. He could use additional power, but the building blocks are there for a good NFL starter.

3rd Round – Riley Moss, CB, Iowa

Two things this Bears regime covets are athleticism and productivity. They desire takeaways in this defense. Moss has 11 interceptions and three defensive touchdowns in his Iowa career. His instincts and ball skills are undeniable. He plays the game with physicality, both when covering receivers and tackling ball carriers. His long speed isn’t special, so he slips down the board a bit.

3rd Round (via NYG) – Joe Tippmann, C, Wisconsin

The problem with guys like Sam Mustipher and Lucas Patrick is what they may have in toughness and intelligence, they lack in actual talent. That won’t be a problem for Tippmann. Not only is he 6’6 and over 300 lbs, he’s also a freak athlete. The guy moves really well in space, showing the ability to pull and reach the second level. Playing for Wisconsin also means he doesn’t lack a nasty edge to his game. His problems are technical, from poor pad level to slow recognition on stunts or blitzes.

3rd Round (via NYG) – Jack Campbell, LB, Iowa

This Bears 2023 mock offseason reflects one overarching reality. Eberflus will target players with lengths. He wants guys with long arms at every level. It increases the likelihood of deflecting passes and makes tackling easier. So somebody like the 6’5 Campbell will be an obvious target. The guy moves surprisingly well for his size, with 255 tackles in his past two seasons. He also has four interceptions over that same span.

4th Round – Sean Tucker, RB, Syracuse

When the identity of your offense is running the ball, it makes sense to invest in running backs whenever possible. Montgomery’s return shouldn’t change that. Tucker is a well-rounded back. He’s a strong runner with good vision and enough acceleration to gash defenses. His receiving ability is also dependable, with 56 catches in two seasons. The pass protection might be an issue at the pro level, though.

4th Round (via PHI) – Jay Ward, S, LSU

Eddie Jackson’s injury should compel the Bears to add some safety depth. Ward has similar traits with speed, athleticism, and range. His six interceptions in three years showcase a nose for the football. He also has a background of playing cornerback, so man-to-man coverage isn’t foreign to him. The biggest issue for him will be adding weight. Going into the NFL at 180 lbs is not recommended.

5th Round – Ryan Hayes, OT, Michigan

Size, length, nastiness, and mobility. Those are the four traits Poles and Eberflus covet in their offensive lineman. Hayes possesses them all to some degree or another. His 6’7 frame and good power base are why Michigan’s rushing attack is so successful. His length and movement skills also help him function in pass protection. His footwork is going to need some work if he wants to start.

5th Round (via BAL) – Tucker Kraft, TE, South Dakota State

Kmet emerging in 2022 is a good thing. That doesn’t mean the Bears should stop searching for more options at tight end. Kraft is 6’5 with plenty of speed to run the seam route and decent hands for making the tougher catches. His production this year isn’t like it was in 2021 due to various circumstances. Still, he’s put enough on tape to make one think he has significant potential at the pro level.

7th Round – Brenton Cox Jr., EDGE, Florida

His college career hasn’t been bad by any means. It’s just been…up and down. After notching eight sacks a year ago, Cox has only managed two this year. The good news is both came in the past three games. Finding where he fits is the challenge. Is he a defensive end or an outside linebacker? That is why he might be strictly a designated pass rusher in Chicago until he proves he can handle himself on early downs.