Bears Offseason Needs NFL 2022: Free Agency And Draft Preview
The Bears are a mess that they are trying to clean. Ryan Pace and Matt Nagy left a mess, even after Mitch Trubisky has gone too. It must be spring because the Bears are doing deep-cleaning on their roster. They have a new QB in Justin Fields and they will attempt to build a roster to contend after Aaron Rodgers retires or leaves the Packers. But, one step at a time, they have to address the Bears offseason needs this year and hit this year’s needs and they’re off to a great start.
Bears Free Agency
Chicago has $30 million to mess around with to address the Bears offseason needs. They’re letting a lot of their players go to make a few long-time splashes to build on. Allen Robinson is the biggest name on that list. The Bears are in full tank mode, which means they don’t need to make any dumb contracts. No need to overpay for veterans. They should look to get solid young talent that can grow into their potential. They will need some OL, but so far, the market isn’t that good for those positions in free agency. They could find some cheaper talent at WR and CB though. There’s plenty of them that they could sign and they wouldn’t have to break the bank (nor should they) for them.
Bears Draft
The Bears do not have a 1st round pick. It’s hard to address the Bears offseason needs without a 1st rounder to start it off right. They do have an early 2nd round pick at 39, which does help, but not by much. I think they could get some solid talent at 39 though. At OT, Nicholas Petit-Free and Rasheed Walker come to mind. Sean Rhyan, Tyler Smith, or Zion Johnson here at OG would be decent. If you really want to make a splash, you could get Roger McCreary or Derion Kendrick at CB or a guy like George Pickens at WR. The Bears will certainly have their options early in the 2nd round.
The Bears do have another selection only 9 picks later at 48. This means most of the names I just mentioned before, should still have a chance to be drafted there at 48. Unless it is the OL, I don’t think the Bears should double up on any of the positions though. Their 3rd round pick is at 71, which is not a bad spot to pick in the 3rd obviously. I do think most of the OTs are gone here, which makes more sense for the Bears to draft that first if they are looking to draft OL help. However, OG is richer in the 3rd round. You could get guys like Ed Ingram, Jamaree Slayer, or Darian Kinnard here. I also think it would be smarter to draft WR here rather than earlier. The WRs are arguably the deepest class this year and grabbing one of the best earlier is nice, but there will be plentiful talent still in the 3rd at WR.
The Bears are tanking and everyone knows it. The worst thing you can do is 1. rush a tank, 2. overpay, and 3. get guys that won’t be there long-term. Chicago will have to play the turtle race if they want to get this tank right. Then, by the time Aaron Rodgers retires, this team will own the NFC North for years to come. At least, that’s the plan anyway.
