Bears' Biggest Keys To Having Successful NFL Offseason
The Chicago Bears are under the biggest spotlight of any NFL team this offseason because of their quarterback situation.
By now you know the Bears' options. They could either trade the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft and keep Justin Fields, or use the top selection to take Caleb Williams or Drake Maye.
Arguments can be made for either decision. Fields improved at the end of the 2023 campaign, but bringing in a new quarterback allows the Bears to spend more at other positions.
Chicago's brass needs to make a decision soon because that will dictate its entire offseason.
The Bears must continue to be aggressive in free agency to improve their roster imperfections, and no matter what happens with the top pick, they need to get the most out of their draft picks.
Make Quarterback Decision Before March 1
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The Bears have had six offseason weeks and probably longer than that to come to a quarterback decision.
General manager Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus should know by now if Fields should be the starter for years to come or not.
A longer decision-making process will only drag out any potential offseason moves elsewhere.
A year ago, the Bears traded the No. 1 overall pick to the Carolina Panthers on March 10. That deal brought D.J. Moore to the NFC North.
The Bears should accelerate their deadline to March 1 so that they can properly shop Fields, or the No. 1 pick, and map out how the rest of the offseason will go.
Continue to Be Aggressive in Free Agency
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The Bears have $70 million in salary cap space to work with, per Spotrac.
Poles was aggressive in last year's free-agent cycle, as he improved the defense by signing linebackers T.J. Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds.
The mid-season trade for defensive end Montez Sweat came with a new contract for the former Washington Commanders player.
More offensive upgrades should be made in free agency this offseason to provide some help at wide receiver for Moore and whomever the starting quarterback is. Tee Higgins and Mike Evans are among the free-agent options at wide receiver.
Chicago could also be aggressive in free agency at defensive back if Jaylon Johnson and Eddie Jackson both leave.
Johnson should be the team's top re-signing priority, but it is not a complete disaster if he leaves because of the salary cap space and two top-10 draft picks.
Keep Thriving in the Draft
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The Bears landed Darnell Wright, Tyrique Stevenson, Roschon Johnson, Kyler Gordon and Jaquan Brisker in the last two NFL drafts.
The scouting department hit on a handful of early-round selections who immediately improved the roster.
Chicago could use more of that draft success this offseason, which is why you could make the case to trade down from No. 1 to gain a draft pick surplus.
The Bears currently have six draft picks, two in the first and fourth rounds and one each in the third and fifth rounds.
If the No. 1 pick is kept and used on Williams or Maye, the Bears can use the No. 9 pick on a wide receiver to partner the quarterback.
They could also look into adding the top cornerback in the draft class, Alabama's Terrion Arnold, to replace Johnson at No. 9.
No matter how they use the draft picks, the Bears must land impact players to continue rising in the NFC North.
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