Chicago Bears: Offseason blueprint to guarantee a Super Bowl
The Chicago Bears can look to these free agents for help
Remember, the team is going to have to cut at least one of Charles Leno or Bobby Massie. These players should easily be replaceable. When looking at how well Sam Mustipher has played, putting him at center and playing James Daniels and Cody Whitehair next to him seems ideal to me. You have a serviceable backup in Alex Bars now too. However, this team refuses to invest in the offensive line the right way. There’s a reason why people say games are won in the trenches.
We can look at this game versus the Lions as an example. The offensive line held their own for a strong portion of the game. The running game was solid once again too. However, a few miscues and just lack of talent, especially by Charles Leno led to untimely sacks and even the forced fumble putting the Lions ahead late.
Free agency is not the greatest for offensive tackles or even offensive linemen as a whole. The Chicago Bears need to be all-in on any of Trent Williams, Russell Okung, or Alejandro Villanueva. If they cannot secure one of the better linemen in free agency to replace at least one of Massie or Leno, then it would be prudent to even look at offensive guards like Brandon Scherff or Joe Thuney. With one of them, Whitehair can remain at center with Mustipher and Bars as backups.
If I am the new regime, I am going to resign Cordarrelle Patterson and possibly even Tashaun Gipson. Barkevious Mingo is another name I’d resign on the cheap. Only Patterson is someone who can help change any game, but you must have solid backups and rotational players.
As I mentioned already, wide receiver must be a focus too. Allen Robinson is not coming back and I would not franchise tag him if I am the new regime. However, I would try and extend him and tell him, listen, that was them, this is us. We will make sure you are treated right and offer him an extension he will actually accept. If not, then turn to the likes of Corey Davis, Sammy Watkins or either T.Y. Hilton or A.J. Green. Outside of offensive line and wide receiver, don’t overspend here.