The Chicago Bears are heading into the 2024 NFL offseason with the ninth most cap space in the NFL with the possibility of that number growing with the release of Cody Whitehair and Eddie Jackson. With two top-ten picks in the upcoming NFL draft, the Bears could turn this team into something extremely dangerous if they can make the right moves.
The Bears enter the offseason in a very good spot when you look at their roster but there are still holes that need to be filled. The top needs are, center, #2 Edge rusher, #2 and #3 wideouts, and finally a new free safety.
No. 5: Darnell Savage, Free Safety
The former first-round pick of the Green Bay Packers back in the 2019 NFL could be a cheap and decent replacement for Eddie Jackson. Savage is someone who hasn't lived up to his draft pick with his best season coming back in 2020 and since then has shown some decline in play.
The biggest reason for the Bears and why they should try and grab him is because he will only be 27 at the start of next year and is someone who could play as the starter or placeholder till the Bears find their long-term player.
This will also be a secondary where he isn't needed to be a top-end player. Guys like Jaquan Brisker, Jaylon Johnson, Kyler Gordon, and Tyrique Stevenson will be the maybe threats while Savage can play more of the background role.
If the Bears can sign him to a two-year deal worth around 10 million it should be a no-brainer.
No. 4: Bryce Huff, EDGE
Huff is a former undrafted free agent whom the Jets have been able to grow and develop into a half-decent pass rusher. Huff was someone who played a ton due to how much the Jets rotate their pass rushers and was able to put up 10 sacks this season for his career high.
The 25-year-old is playing the best football of his career right now and with the Bears already having a number one edge rusher Huff isn't going to be someone who is going to get a ton of double teams and should have a clearer path to the QB.
The hope with Huff is he can continue being used in a solid rotation for the Bears. Swapping Walker himself and hopefully, another rookie in the mix for the second edge rusher spot should allow Huff to have a ton of juice whenever he is out there
A three-year 45-million-dollar contract would be perfect for Huff. Coming off the best year of his career while still giving him decent pay but something you can move on from if he doesn't live up to that contract.
No. 3: Gabe Davis Wideout
The Bears have a great option at the number 1 spot with D.J. Moore but he is going to need a playmate or two for this offense to take that next step. With the Bears likely moving on from Darnell Mooney this offseason the need for a number 2 wideout is that much more important.
Even if the Bears draft a wideout in the first round adding Gabe Davis into that room adds a true vertical threat that the Bears hoped Mooney and Scott would be. In three out of his four seasons, Davis has gotten 7 touchdowns and in his second season, he had six. For the last two years, he has hovered around the 750-yard mark.
The soon-to-be 25-year-old could side into the number 2 or 3 spot for the Bears depending on what they do in the draft. Singing him to a 3-year 40 million dollar contract would be a great move by Ryan Poles.
No. 2: Saquon Barkley Running Back
Running back isn’t the biggest need for the Bears but if they can land a top player like Barkley that would be huge for that room that already has some talented guys like Herbert and Johnson. A three-headed monster to an already top-rushing attack.
Barkley is an interesting case study because when he is healthy he is one of the top backs in the game but he has struggled with health and in his last year with the Giants he didn't play up to the standard that we normally see from him. However, most people would agree the Giants had way more problems on offense than Barkley having a down year.
I could see Ryan Poles singing Barkley to a two-year deal worth up to 20 million. The feeling is Barkley would take a deal along those lines and he has shown interest in playing for the Bears going back to last offseason when he had talks with Jarrett Payton son of former Bears superstar Walter Payton.
I had a great talk w/ Saquon Barkley today. SB said he has no clue what the future holds but would love the opportunity to play in Chi. He said if he DID come, he wouldn’t want #26 but a number in the 30’s because of @walterpayton. He’s a cool dude. #Bears #SuperBowl #WPMOY pic.twitter.com/PxgnbAsguH
— Jarrett Payton (@paytonsun) February 10, 2023
No. 1: Connor Williams Center
The Bears need a center more than a fish needs water. The center is one of those positions that seems more overlooked than it really should. Looking at the three out of the four remaining teams still in the NFL playoffs they all seem to have one thing in common, having a top-end center.
The Ravens have Tyler Linderbaum. The Chiefs have Creed Humphrey. The Lions have Frank Ragnow. The 49ers have Jake Brendel who is someone they like but could look to get an upgrade on. The point is that having a good to great center helps out an offense.
Williams is someone most people view as a top-10 center and could step in and be the final piece that truly makes this line take the next step. With the Dolphins in cap troubles this offseason Williams will most likely be available.
The Bears will need to be comfortable enough paying someone coming off of a season-ending knee injury which is the big red flag with Williams at the moment. But if they can get past that expect Williams to sign a similar deal to the one the Bears gave Nate Davis last offseason.
With that being said the Bears should look to sign him and also look to draft a center in the draft as well. That way they can move Williams to guard if either Jankins or Davis goes down with injury.