What does Ryan Pace’s updated offseason to-do list look like 24 hours into free agency? Here are 7 areas the Bears still need to address.
© Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune/Chicago Tribune/TNS Bears general manager Ryan Pace speaks during a news conference at Halas Hall on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019 in Lake Forest. A day after the Bears took care of their most pressing offseason need — finding a quarterback — the marketplace is beginning to slow down.
Some top-tier players remain unsigned but things are settling and this will allow teams and agents to reset. It's in the second wave of free agency that Bears general manager Ryan Pace will be able to assess options with some items still remaining on the club's offseason shopping list.
The biggest signing since the end of last season has been free safety Eddie Jackson's contract extension. The Bears tied up more guaranatees in him than they did outside linebacker Robert Quinn or quarterback Nick Foles. The only thing that should top Jackson's guarantee is a new contract for wide receiver Allen Robinson.
What's the timeline for Robinson's extension? The Bears can potentially lower his $15 million cap hit for this season with a new contract, so the sooner the better. There's no timeline for Robinson, however, to find the terms that are right for him. The salary cap of $198.2 million in 2020 is expected to rise in 2021. Accordingly, Robinson will want to negotiate with the future in mind.
He's entering the final season of a three-year, $42 million contract and likely will seek to move his annual average from $14 million closer to $20 million. The Bears, of course, will hold the franchise tag as leverage after this coming season in case a deal hasn't been completed. But they should be motivated to keep Robinson happy as he has been a team-first performer without making complaints, public or private, about other elements of the offense that have underperformed.
© Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune/Chicago Tribune/TNS Bears receiver Taylor Gabriel celebrates his second touchdown in the second quarter against the Redskins on Monday, Sept. 23, 2019 at FedEx Field in Landover, Md. In the last week, Pace has added Foles, Quinn, tight end Jimmy Graham and inside linebacker Danny Trevathan. Here's a list of remaining shopping items:
1. Cornerback.
That the Bears chose not to pay Prince Amukamara this season because he has slowed down wasn't a surprise. That they've paid Jimmy Graham and Danny Trevathan similarly is somewhat surprising given that Graham doesn't move like he used to and Trevathan has a history of injuries.
Perhaps Pace and the coaches feel good about Kevin Toliver despite a small body of work. He could certainly compete for a starting role opposite Kyle Fuller. Tre Roberson also is in the mix, but expectations for the former CFL All-Star should be shaped by the guaranteed money in his contract — $215,000. That's the kind of investment typically made in a depth addition.
The Bears can wait for the marketplace to slow down to see about adding an experienced player at a low price. There is also the draft and as I have written the last few weeks, it's time for the team to invest in the position with youth. The last time the Bears prioritized cornerback in the draft was 2014 when Kyle Fuller was selected in the first round. The draft should offer some solid options in Round 2, where the team has two picks. Auburn's Noah Igbinoghene and Mississippi State's Cameron Dantzler both have good size and played at a high level in the SEC. They could be attractive targets.
© Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune/Chicago Tribune/TNS Bears cornerback Prince Amukamara celebrates after blocking a pass intended for Lions receiver Kenny Golladay during the second half at Soldier Field on Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019. 2. Offensive line.
Contracts for tackles Charles Leno and Bobby Massie and center Cody Whitehair are going to keep them in place. The Bears are in need of a right guard, and while they have a couple in-house guys that could potentially compete, including Rashaad Coward and Alex Bars, I think they find a veteran with some experience to add to the mix.
New O-line coach Juan Castillo likes athletic big men, so think someone that maybe isn't a mauler but can get to the second level. A swing tackle remains a need and I am interested to see if Cornelius Lucas returns or if he gets a decent contract elsewhere.
Updated: Lucas is headed to the Redskins on a two-year contract worth $5.3 million. He turned his opportunities for playing time when Massie was injured into good film and got paid.
3. Strong safety.
This is a prime spot to fill via the draft, where Ryan Pace has had tremendous success with Eddie Jackson and Adrian Amos. This is a need the team can fill on Day 3.
A couple of targets that come to mind, when thinking about a box safety, are Cal's Jaylinn Hawkins and Mississippi State's Brian Cole.
The Bears could consider re-signing Deon Bush as depth, and having a guy familiar with the scheme is a good idea. Bush likely is a minimum-salary guy.
4. Wide receiver.
Don't minimize the need for upgrades here, especially following the departure of Taylor Gabriel. A speedy complement to add to the mix would really help. It's such a good draft that the Bears should be able to find help but they're short on picks before the late rounds.
But don't forget about free agents. Yes, some are talking about this draft as a potentially historic one for wide receivers — but what that has done is suppress the market for veterans. A decent player can come on a total bargain because the demand isn't there as teams wait for the draft.
5. Tight end.
At best, Jimmy Graham is maybe a one-year option at tight end. The Bears have enough of them with Graham being the ninth on the roster.
It's a weak draft class for tight ends, but if they really like Cole Kmet and believe the Notre Dame product can help stabilize the position for four or five years, he could be a target for Round 2.
6. Veteran depth.
One thing Ryan Pace and the coaches have done a nice job of in recent years is finding rank-and-file players that can fill in and play well when called upon.
Defensive lineman Nick Williams, linebacker Kevin Pierre-Louis and swing tackle Cornelius Lucas are recent examples. They're guys that were on minimum deals and played solid when injuries created needs.
Williams and Pierre-Louis have departed via free agency. How can Pace and his staff identity a new wave of veterans that can provide quality depth, the kind of thing winning teams need in November and December when there has been attrition?
7. Special teams.
Special teams cannot be overlooked. Figure the Bears probably re-sign long snapper Patrick Scales. What do they do when it comes to guys such as defensive backs Sherrick McManis and DeAndre Houston-Carson? Do they fit in 2020 plans?
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