Late Wednesday night, Chicago Bears fans’ dreams of the team signing free agent offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr. were crushed when he signed a four-year deal with the Cincinnati Bengals to go protect Joe Burrow.
Brown was one of the most talked-about free agents in connection with Chicago, especially because of Ryan Poles‘ relationship with him from their time together in Kansas City. But, in the end, the Bengals were the highest bidder and Chicago officially lost out on three of this year’s top free agent tackles.
Still, there has to be a plan in place. Poles wasn’t going to allow Brown, Mike McGlinchey and Kaleb McGary to get signed elsewhere without a backup plan. There are still other options for the Bears, both in free agency and the draft.
Let’s start with one of the three best backup plans, and it so happens to come in the 2023 NFL Draft class.
Chicago Bears’ best backup plans instead of Orlando Brown Jr.: Paris Johnson Jr., Ohio State
If you’re looking for a prototypical first-round offensive tackle, look no further than Paris Johnson Jr. out of Ohio State. He’ll likely go anywhere in the middle of the first round, so the Bears could take him at no. 9 or even trade back a bit to get him.
Johnson stands 6-foot-6 and weighs 313 pounds. He’s a big frame with plenty of athleticism, which is great considering the Bears have one of the most athletic, mobile quarterbacks in the game today with Justin Fields under center.
Johnson is very agile and possesses excellent foot speed, allowing him to move well both laterally and at an angle to keep up with those quicker edge rushers. If the Bears wanted to plug and play a rookie offensive tackle, Johnson should be their man. Otherwise, they have a couple other options to go after.
Chicago Bears’ best backup plans instead of Orlando Brown Jr.: Peter Skoronski, Northwestern
Maybe the best offensive tackle in this year’s draft is Northwestern’s Peter Skoronski. But, some believe a switch to guard could be beneficial for him. Regardless, he’s a must-pick for the Bears if they’re picking anywhere between 9-15, depending on a trade.
Skoronski stands 6-foot-4 and weighs in at 313 pounds. He is most proficient in run blocking, where he simply just knows how to play. He blocks with strength purpose and a calculated manner when it comes to the rushing attack. He’s agile enough to get out in space, if need be, as well.
At this year’s NFL Combine, Skoronski was graded as the best overall tackle by NFL.com, and rightfully so.
The biggest concern with Skoronski comes with his lack of length and an inability to handle the bigger, tougher bull rushers. If he can hone in on those skills, Skoronski may be able to stay at tackle in the pros. At the very least, the Bears have one of this year’s top offensive line prospects if they secure him in Chicago.
Chicago Bears’ best backup plans instead of Orlando Brown Jr.: Donovan Smith
Finally, the best free agent option still available has to be former Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive tackle Donovan Smith, who was cut this offseason to save some against the cap. Still, Smith has been one of the better offensive tackles over the last few seasons and is coming off a couple years protecting Tom Brady.
According to Spotrac, Smith’s projected market value is a whopping $19.5 million per season, which is along the same lines as what Mike McGlinchey got from the Denver Broncos. Smith is set to turn 30 years old here soon, so that might be a bit of an overpay, especially considering he’s never made an All Pro team or even a Pro Bowl. Still, he’s been an above average tackle.
If Smith goes unsigned for a couple more days, maybe Poles throws a lesser offer his way, but still a respectable deal. Let’s say Chicago could get him for around $14 million per season on a 3-year deal. If that was the case, it’s a no-brainer. He’d likely meet the Bears somewhere in the middle, but getting him to Chicago, period, would be a win.
Smith is one of the best pass-blocking tackles in all of football, but he struggles a bit in the run game. Protecting Fields should be top priority, though, and getting someone like Smith in a Bears uniform would be a giant victory for Poles and this front office.