The Chicago Bears face a pivotal offseason in 2024.
They have the top pick in the NFL Draft. That pick will force the team to choose between sticking with Justin Fields as the long-term starting quarterback or drafting USC quarterback Caleb Williams. Also, the franchise must decide whether or not to pick Fields' fifth-year option.
Fields' inability to solidify himself as the team's franchise quarterback is the other reason the team will need to address quarterback. However, Fields has shown enough that he could still develop into a good passing quarterback to complement his amazing running ability.
A decision at quarterback will not need to be made until the NFL Draft. That's also not the only position the Bears will need to think long and hard about in the offseason.
Chicago Bears Biggest Positional Questions in the 2024 Offseason
Center
The plan was for Cody Whitehair to go back to being the Pro Bowl center he was before he moved to guard. That idea failed when Whitehair failed to perform the job's main function--snap the ball. Thankfully, Fields used to play baseball as he was able to field a lot of Whitehair's wayward snaps.
Lucas Patrick was signed last offseason to be the starting center, but injuries derailed that. When he has been healthy, he has spent more time getting pushed back than he has pushed forward.
The Chicago Bears could use their cap space to sign a center in the offseason. The Miami Dolphins' Connor Williams is the top free agent, but he will be coming off a knee injury that ended his season. Andre James of the Las Vegas Raiders could be another option. The Bears could also use their third-round pick to draft a center.
Wide Receiver
D.J. Moore and Tyler Scott are the only wide receivers under contract for next season. Darnell Mooney is a free agent and is far removed from his career season in 2021. He screams out a bargain signing for the Kansas City Chiefs with his connections to offensive coordinator Matt Nagy (a former Bears head coach).
Whatever the Bears decide to do at quarterback, they need to add more weapons. The dream is the Chicago Bears draft Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. This is also a deep wide receiver draft.
LSU's Malik Nabers and Washington's Rome Odunze could be available when the Bears are back on the clock in the first round at No. 10.
Tee Higgins would be a huge free-agent addition. His teammate Tyler Boyd would be a good depth signing too.
Edge Rusher
Montez Sweat has been a tremendous pick-up since he was acquired at the trade deadline. He has been a multiplier on the line as everyone's game has gotten better. He still could use some help rushing the passer from the edge.
DeMarcus Walker is a rotational pass rusher that can also be moved inside. Dominique Robinson has been a healthy scratch more than he has sacked the quarterback. The improving defense needs to add more on the edge.
The draft is not loaded with elite pass rushers. It is one reason the Chicago Bears traded for Sweat. The free agent class is filled with impact players. Josh Allen, Brian Burns, and Danielle Hunter are all set for free agency. If they get the franchise tag, Chase Young and Jonathan Greenard should be available.
Backup Tight End
Robert Tonyan has not produced enough to stick around. Marcedes Lewis would be great to bring back as a blocking tight end if he wants to keep playing.
One thing is for sure, the Chicago Bears could use another receiving target at tight end to help out Cole Kmet.
Drafting Georgia's Brock Bowers would form one of the best tight-end duos in the NFL. Plenty of players are set to be free agents who could be signed to a one-year deal to replace Tonyan and hopefully provide better production.
Free Safety
Eddie Jackson has one interception this season. That is not worth keeping for another season when Jackson has a $14.05 million cap hit next season. The Chicago Bears can save $5 million if he is released in the offseason.
Elijah Hicks has proven he deserves a shot to replace Jackson if he is cut. He is also a former seventh-round pick.
Antione Winfield Jr. and Kyle Dugger are the top available free agents and could boost an already strong secondary. Jaquan Brisker has strong safety locked down for the next two seasons. Nickel cornerback Kyler Gordon is also strong against the run. The secondary needs a ball-hawking free safety to take the defense to an elite level.
Jackson used to be elite at that, but injuries and age have caught up with him. That is why getting younger in that position is needed. Imagine another edge rusher to pair up with Sweat and a free safety picking off passes. That would make the defense one of the best in the NFL.
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