It is March 5, 2023. The Chicago Bears and all other 31 NFL teams have made their way to Indianapolis for another NFL Combine. Ryan Poles, Ian Cunningham, Matt Eberflus, and others are all in attendance to watch and talk to the upcoming NFL Draft class. Poles has more work to do as he also needs to speak with other general managers about potential trades. This could be regarding Justin Fields (isn't happening), the first-overall pick, and even players around the league. The key is to gain as much information without tipping your hand. It's like a chess match or a poker game.
It was announced earlier this week that Daron Payne is receiving the franchise tag from the Commanders. This was unfortunately expected. Payne would have likely been the top target for the Bears had he reached free agency. We saw Poles make a hard push for Larry Ogunjobi last offseason before his medicals came back and the team decided to move on. Eberflus has also made it clear just how important the 3-technique is for his defense. The Bears need to find a way to upgrade the position and also add pass rushers on the edge.
The defensive line isn't the only issue though. On the opposite side of the ball, the offensive line needs work too. Not to mention the wide receiver group. To be honest, there are not many positions on the roster that don't need an upgrade or massive overhaul.
This week was supposed to help Ryan Poles when it comes to trading that top pick, but an arrest of Jalen Carter for two misdemeanor charges relating to a car accident that took the lives of a UGA recruiting staffer and a teammate of Carter's. The recruiting staffer, Chandler LeCroy was the driver and heavily intoxicated. The reports are that LeCroy and Jalen Carter were drag racing.
This isn't the first time that Carter has had reckless speeding issues though. Some red flags have been noted prior to the arrest and you'd have to think that a few teams, if not many, are moving Carter down their board - if not removing him completely. It is a little too soon to tell, but the reports of Carter's involvement are likely going to impact what the Bears do at the top of the draft. More on that later. For now, let's look at what Ryan Poles and this team need to do in free agency seeing it starts in 12 days.
The Chicago Bears must make this move quickly in free agency
Even without the arrest of Jalen Carter, I would still want the Chicago Bears to make a move in free agency for a new 3-technique. With Daron Payne franchise tagged, that leaves three names I'd consider signing - Dre'Mont Jones, Javon Hargrave and Poona Ford. There are rumors Hargrave could be franchise tagged. If I had my choice, Dre'Mont Jones is the guy I'd sign anyway.
Jones is a defensive end/tackle for the Denver Broncos and reports are that he will be allowed to test free agency. He is coming off a career year for the Broncos and has scheme versatility to play both the end or 3-technique spots. Last season, Jones finished with 6.5 sacks, 10 QB hits, nine tackles for loss, and a forced fumble while only playing 13 games. Over his first four seasons in the NFL, he has accumulated 22 sacks, 38 QB hits, 28 tackles for loss, 133 tackles and 60 pressures. He is also only 26 years old. Jones would be an immediate upgrade over Justin Jones.
Rumors are that Dre'Mont Jones is looking for somewhere between $60 and $70 million dollars. If I were Ryan Pace, I'd be happy to give him $70 million over 4 years for $17.5 million per year. That would make him tied for seventh in the NFL in average salary at the defensive tackle position. This cannot be the only move Poles makes though.
The Chicago Bears need to sign a top-end free agent right tackle
The 2023 NFL Draft is deep at defensive end and offensive line. There are not too many top-level offensive linemen though. I have two first-round grades on offensive tackles and two first-round grades on guards. Peter Skoronski is a guard in my eyes and the top lineman in the draft. Paris Johnson and Broderick Jones are the best tackles. Then, there are a bunch of Day 2 guys worthy of being selected. However, without a guarantee of trading down in the first round, the Chicago Bears only have one pick in the top 50.
This is why Ryan Poles needs to find a free agent upgrade for the right or left tackle spot. Personally, I'd keep Braxton Jones at left tackle because he's better suited for that side. His agility and footwork paired with his length fit the left tackle mold. There are also more right tackles than left tackles who are worthy of spending money on in free agency.
The player that I would like to see the Chicago Bears add to the roster is Mike McGlinchey. He isn't perfect and hasn't lived up to the 49ers selecting him ninth overall. That said, he's still a big upgrade over what the Bears had last season. Plus, he's very familiar with the scheme that Luke Getsy is running here since Getsy is indirectly linked to Kyle Shanahan through Matt LaFleur. That outside zone running game will make an easy transition for McGlinchey.
If McGlinchey isn't the option, then Jawaan Taylor or Kaleb McGary could be other options. Taylor is the younger option at only 25. However, he only excels as a pass blocker. His run blocking is not anything to be thrilled about. McGary is the exact opposite. His run blocking is superb while his pass blocking is pretty awful. These are the top three right tackles in free agency and McGlinchey is the most well-rounded in my opinion. I want Dre'Mont Jones and McGlinchey, but the blueprint is a top 3-technique and right tackle in free agency.
The Chicago Bears must add a defensive end in free agency too
None of the top options at defensive end in free agency are perfect. If they were, then they wouldn't even be in free agency. That should not stop Ryan Poles from adding one of the better options though. Trevis Gipson and Dominique Robinson are not the answers. Robinson still has some upside, but I'm not sold on Gipson sticking around in 2023.
The players I'd be interested in adding at defensive end in this free agency class are Yannick Ngakoue, Samson Ebukam, Dawuane Smoot or Arden Key. Key might be the guy I'd like to see added the most. He's not 27 yet and is coming off a strong year with five sacks and 14 quarterback hits. Zach Allen is another guy I'd be highly interested in. He's not even 26 and is coming off a six-sack season with 19 quarterback hits. Charles Omenihu is another younger guy with upside.
Ryan Poles must add one, if not two of these free agents. The team needs to add players who can actually help add sacks. A couple of these guys could help. Ngakoue has the most talent when getting to the QB, but he is not great against the run. This is a big reason why he's been on five teams already in his career. Could the Chicago Bears be that sixth team?
With the salary cap space that the Chicago Bears have, the blueprint for this team includes a top-end DT, an upgrade at RT and two solid defensive ends. The players I'd specifically choose at this point are Dre'Mont Jones, Mike McGlinchey, Yannick Ngakoue and Zach Allen. What's next?
The Chicago Bears offense needs some help in the receiving game
If Keenan Allen is released by the Los Angeles Chargers in a move to try and save salary cap space, then he needs to be the top choice. Being able to add a player like Allen to the roster without trading any draft capital would be absolutely fantastic. Unfortunately, it sounds like Los Angeles plans to keep Allen.
Michael Thomas could be another option the Chicago Bears look to add through free agency should he be released. Thomas seems to be in need of a change of scenery. He was an elite WR before recent injuries. In only three games last season, Thomas averaged over 50 yards per game and one touchdown per game (total of 3). He'd make for a great addition if he can stay healthy and shouldn't cost any draft capital.
The other option for the Chicago Bears would be to make a trade for a top-end WR. Tee Higgins is the one player that many Bears fans would love to see in Chicago. After hearing the Bengals' general manager, Duke Tobin say that he's not considering a Higgins trade because it doesn't make the team better, I think it's safe to assume Higgins isn't going anywhere. Other names thrown around as possible trade targets include Michael Pittman, Jr., DeAndre Hopkins, D.J. Moore and others.
In this blueprint for Ryan Poles to have a perfect offseason, Poles trades away his second-round pick to the Cardinals for DeAndre Hopkins. Hopkins has two years left on his deal and I'm not giving him a new contract even though reports are he wants one. He's scheduled to earn $19.4 million this year and $14.9 million next year. The Bears could give Justin Fields an elite WR1 when healthy. Hopkins would be a great stopgap at WR and then the hope is to find a way to land Marvin Harrison in the 2024 NFL Draft. Don't worry about that second-round pick. More to come in the next draft article.
The Chicago Bears need to sign these or similar free agents
For the Chicago Bears to have the perfect offseason, not every name that I am pointing out needs to be written in stone. That's why the titles are not as specific to the players I am choosing. Clearly, many factors that I cannot control and information that I do not have direct access to must be considered. However, to land a defensive tackle in Dre'Mont Jones, two defensive ends who can get to the quarterback, and a right tackle considered to be an upgrade over the 2022 roster is the blueprint. Add in the trade to get a true WR1 despite his age and you are setting Justin Fields up for success.
This is not enough though. The team needs to add players in free agency to fill out this roster and I'd like to see the following names or at least similar players signed before the 2023 NFL Draft.
David Montgomery, RB
Saquan Barkley is tagged and it's between David Montgomery and Miles Sanders for Ryan Poles. Poles has made it known how much he likes Montgomery. I think these two find a way to get a deal done that doesn't break the bank at the running back position though. Somewhere in the $8 million per year range.
Andre Dillard, OG
The Chicago Bears should look to add Andre Dillard in free agency. Ian Cunningham has ties to the Philadelphia Eagles and Dillard isn't starting for the Eagles. Giving him a chance to start here in Chicago should entice the former first-rounder. Dillard can push Braxton Jones for the starting left tackle spot. I want some competition for Jones, but I am coming around to him being the starting left tackle for the 2023 NFL season.
Bobby Okereke, LB
Matt Eberflus should not have any issues bringing in Bobby Okereke if he hits free agency. Money will dictate things as Okereke is coming off a career year in Indianapolis. He finished with 144 combined tackles and two forced fumbles. He will be 27 this offseason but should fit in nicely next to Jack Sanborn in 2023.
Cam Sutton, CB
If I were the Chicago Bears, I'm looking for a nickel corner and keeping Kyler Gordon on the perimiter. When watching Gordon on film, he was a better defender on the outside than at the nickel spot. I'd look to bring in a guy like Cam Sutton from Pittsburgh who might be a little older at 28 but has been a consistent defender in the slot. He has five interceptions over the last two seasons and his advanced stats are solid as well. Other names here could be Chandon Sullivan, Sean Murphy-Bunting, or if released from Indianapolis, Kenny Moore.
More depth will obviously need to be added, but these are the other key additions Ryan Poles will need to make to complete his blueprint for the perfect free agency leading up to the 2023 NFL Draft. Next up...the perfect 2023 NFL Draft to compliment these free agent signings.