This is the Gridiron Review’s grading and breakdown series of every team’s offseason. This article is the offseason in review of the Chicago Bears
Players Retained:
Defense: DeAndre Houston-Carson, S
Key Losses:
Offense: Andy Dalton, QB; Nick Foles, QB; Damien Williams, RB; Tarik Cohen, RB; Ryan Nall, RB; Allen Robinson, WR; Jakeem Grant, WR/KR; Damiere Byrd, WR; Marquise Goodwin, WR; Jesper Horsted, WR; J.P. Holtz, TE; Jimmy Graham, TE; Jesse James, TE; Adam Redmond, C; James Daniels, OG; Alex Bars, OG; Elijah Wilkinson, OG; Germain Ifedi, OT; Jason Peters, OT
Defense: Bilal Nichols, DL; Akiem Hicks, DL; Eddie Goldman, DL; Ledarius Mack, DE/OLB; Danny Trevathan, LB; Christian Jones, LB; Alec Ogletree, LB; Joel Iyiegbuniwe, LB; Artie Burns, CB; Jalen Tabor, CB; Deon Bush, S; Tashaun Gipson, S
Specials: Pat O’Donnell, P; Beau Brinkley, LS
Key Free Agent Pick-ups:
Offense: Trevor Siemian, QB; Nathan Peterman, QB; Darrynton Evans, RB; Khari Blasingame, FB; Dante Pettis, WR; Byron Pringle, WR; Equanimeous St. Brown, WR; Tajae Sharpe, WR; Chris Finke, WR; Ryan Griffin, TE; James O’Shaughnessy, TE; Lucas Patrick, OG; Dakota Dozier, OG; Julie’n Davenport, OT; Shon Coleman, OT
Defense: Justin Jones, DL; Al-Quadin Muhammad, DL; Nicholas Morrow, LB; Matthew Adams, OLB; Tavon Young, CB;
Trades(If Applicable):
Acquired 2022 2nd round and 2023 6th round pick in exchange for DE/OLB Khalil Mack
Draft Class:
- Round 2, Pick No. 39: Kyler Gordon, CB, Washington
- Round 2, Pick No. 48: Jaquan Brisker, S, Penn State
- Round 3, Pick No. 71: Venus Jones Jr., WR, Tennessee
- Round 5, Pick No. 168: Braxton Jones, OT, Southern Utah
- Round 5, Pick No. 174: Dominique Robinson, EDGE, Miami (Ohio)
- Round 6, Pick No. 186: Zach Thomas, G, San Diego State
- Round 6, Pick No. 203: Trestan Ebner, RB, Baylor
- Round 6, Pick No. 207: Doug Kramer, C, Illinois
- Round 7, Pick No. 226: Ja’Tyre Carter, G, Southern
- Round 7, Pick No. 254: Elijah Hicks, S, Cal
- Round 7, Pick No. 255: Trenton Gill, K, N.C. State
Our Offseason Grade: Average free agency, good draft, still a long way to go
Record Prediction(Division Rank): 1-16(4th)
Summary:
The Bears lost a staggering 33 players from their team last year. However, based on last year’s performance, that may be a positive. Finally getting rid of Matt Nagy is a major plus for Chicago, even if it is multiple seasons late. With new head coach Matt Eberflus and new GM Ryan Poles, came a ton of new faces both through the draft and through free agency.
From free agency the Bears got a completely new backup QB room with Trevor Siemian and every defense’s favorite player, Nathan Peterman. They launched a couple darts at wide receiver with players like Pringle, St. Brown, Pettis, and Sharpe in hopes that they find a couple that can provide meaningful snaps. They also added a couple of depth pieces on the offensive line as well as the defensive side, with their best and most impactful piece signed being Tavon Young.
Their moves in free agency could be viewed as so so, but Ryan Poles really shined in his first draft. Getting two impact secondary pieces, a starting slot receiver and return man, and an edge and running back with a lot of upside based on draft slot, all on top of quality depth pieces really cemented an above average draft haul for Chicago. Velus Jones and Trestan Ebner are viewed, in our opinion, as some of the better steals in the draft and could provide a lot of meaningful snaps early and often.
In our summaries we really like to highlight the differences in each position room, or at least the major changes, but it would take us forever. Chicago re-signed only one of their players from last year. They let A TON of guys go, and brought in A TON of new faces. If you look at the team there are not all that many starters or role players from last year still here. Eberflus and Poles chose to rip it down and rebuild which is fine, but this roster may be the worst in the league. We have the Bears at 1-16 because we just don’t see how this roster is going to win a game. The Bears barely addressed the offensive line, so Fields is going to be running for his life, and all they did was sign a bunch of WR3, 4, and 5’s. They did nothing to help second year QB Justin Fields. Bears fans be patient with this rebuild. We feel like they started the rebuild strong but it’s going to be a rough first season.