Does Ashton Jeanty make sense in Chicago?

The Super Bowl is all set for this weekend. But back here in Chicago, fans are all looking for something to be excited about. The Bulls are heading for another play in game appearance. The Blackhawks are meandering their way through the season, while defending Connor Bedard from criticisms from national media. The less said about the White Sox, the better.

It could be argued that the Bears, fresh off a 5 win season, have the brightest future. They have the new coach, they probably have the quarterback and they have cap space three top 41 picks. Those ingredients result in immense hope.

Focusing on the draft, the #10 pick is a real mystery at this point. With a mediocre at best quarterback class, the first 9 picks can go in a number of different directions. Many people, myself included, insist the Bears need to invest that pick on either the offensive or defensive lines. Could the Bears add the electric Ashton Jeanty to help Caleb Williams jump start the offense?

I will not deny Jeanty’s talent. He single handedly dragged Boise State to the College Football Playoff. He was not just stacking yards against inferior competition either. Against Oregon, the #1 team in the country for most of the season, he had 192 yards and 3 touchdowns. But taking a running back at #10 means they have to be ready to be the RB 1 and that position firmly belongs to Deandre Swift. Mainly due to his $8.7 million dead cap hit.That contract makes a trade very unlikely. And if the Bears release him, they won’t save any money, so there would really be no reason to let him go. But with the addition of Jeanty, he could move into more of a receiving back role, albeit a very expensive one. His one year with Ben Johnson as OC in Detroit, he had 48 catches to go along with 542 yards on only 99 carries.

A Jeanty/Swift duo could be a quarterback’s best friend. But in order to spend that premium capital on a running back, a lot would have to go right in free agency. Instead of hitting a home run on a guy like Trey Smith, General Manager Ryan Poles would have to sacrifice quality for quantity. Instead of giving $20+ million for Smith, maybe he offers Mekhi Becton 3 years, $27 million and Kevin Zeitler, Ben Johnson’s right guard this past season in Detroit, one year, $7 million.

In this scenario, you have two veterans who walk in as immediate starters. Becton has the bonus of still being young and developing. He turns 26 this April and has had a career resurgence this year in Philadelphia. He also has the potential to fill in at tackle if injuries occur. 

Poles could then focus his two second round picks on helping the defensive line. In the 39-41 range, there would be quality defensive tackles like Walter Nolen or strong run defender TJ Sanders out of South Carolina. It is too early to tell but both Ohio State defensive ends (Jack Sawyer and JT Tuimoaloau) could be there as well.

A young trio of Caleb Williams, Rome Odunze and Ashton Jeanty is probably more exciting in the Madden world than the actual NFL but what do you think? Are the Bears good enough to take a running back at #10 despite other needs?

2025 NFL Draft Crushes

We are a little over a week from the Super Bowl but for 30 unhappy fanbases all eyes are on the offseason.  That means finding refreshing Twitter for new position coach hires, looking at free agents and scouting potential rookies.  

Mock draft season is one of my favorites.  Nothing is better than using any of the simulators available and ending up with 15 picks and dominating computer GMs.  No matter how unrealistic it is, I can't help myself.  But while we all wait for Ben Johnson to fill out his staff,  I decided to share a couple of my favorite prospects in the upcoming draft who I hope found their way to Chicago.

Nic Scourton - Edge - Texas A&M

Credit: Julio Cortez -AP

Scourton initially came on my radar in 2023 when he was Second Team all Big ten at Purdue. He dominated the competition with 10 sacks.  He then transferred to the SEC this season where he he got a nice NIL deal and delivered with a first team all-SEC season. 

At 6'4, 280 pounds his body is ready for the NFL His lethal spin move would be a perfect addition opposite Monte Sweat.  When looking up what scouts think of him, his draft projection ranges anywhere from top ten to the second round.  

If he is there at 39 the Bears would sprint to the podium.  I don't foresee him lasting that long but if Ryan Poles drops back a couple spots in the 1st to gain some extra draft capital it would get an A+ grade from me.

Pat Bryant - Wide Receiver - Illinois

Keenan Allen had an up and down season in his lone year in the Windy City. But due to age and likely salary demands I see him leaving this offseason and I feel Pat Bryant is the perfect replacement. His 6'2, 208 pound frame works in the slot or on the outside.  While the height is solid, his 6'5 3/4" wingspan is exactly the type of target Caleb Williams needs. 

Bryant is not a burner by any means but what he lacks in burst he makes for in footwork and route running (sound familiar?) You love to see that Bryant increased his stats every season and it is not just one particular stat.  His receptions, yards and touchdowns increased from the previous season all four years.

He also contributes in the run game as a sound blocker but my favorite thing about him is his clutch factor. Some say you can't measure clutch but this past season 3 of his 10 touchdowns were game winning scores in the final 30 seconds of the 4th quarter or overtime in one score games. And these weren't just five yard outs, check out his 40 yard touchdown on 4th and 13 here.

It seemed like every week the Bears were in a one score game and having a player Bryant who relishes the big moment would be a big-time boost for the offense. He currently is projected to be a 4th or 5th round pick but I can see him moving up to the third round with a strong Senior Bowl and combine.

Jackson Hawes - Tight End - Georgia Tech

You may be asking, "Why would a tight end who ended the season with only 16 catches and less than 200 yards earn crush status?"  The answer is simple. the guy is a blocking machine!! Whether he is leading a running back on wham block or releasing to help block on a screen, if Hawes gets his hand on a defender they're not going to make the tackle. Also, Hawes has some brains, he earned second team All-Ivy League during his three seasons at Yale before transferring to the Yellow Jackets. 
Currently, he is not projected to be one of the first ten tight ends taken but his skillset is missing on the Bears current roster.  His addition would allow Kmet to split out and be more of a receiving threat.  And while Ben Johnson insists his Bears offense won't be a clone of his past Lions teams, I would say Hawes is very similar to Brock Wright, the #2 tight end in Detroit. I desperately want to see the Bears clear out the tight end room (except for Kmet). Hawes as a likely a day 3 pick would have a great chance at making the roster as a special teams contributor / jumbo package tight end.

My Early FA / Draft Plan for the Bears

Now that the Bears have their new general, it is time to get him some quality troops.  The Bears have three top 41 picks and plenty of cap space so Ryan Poles and Ben Johnson will have ample opportunity to add talent on both sides of the ball.

Step #1: Freeing up more money

Cut Ryan Bates ($4 million) and Gerald Everett ($5.5 million).

These two moves would generate nearly $10 million in additional cap space.  Ryan Poles' love affair of Ryan Bates needs to come to an end.  He is consistently injured and when he does play he does not show enough to warrant his salary.  

Everett, was brought in with new Offensive Coordinator Shane Waldron in the offseason. But when Waldron was fired, Everett saw his playing time drop the rest of the season.  After playing 61% of the snaps in the season opener he ended up only playing single digit snaps in 7 of the final 8 games.  He can take his 8 catches to a new team while Johnson finds a better fit for his offense in FA.

This brings the total money available to ~$76 million, set aside $10 million for draft picks and $66 million is plenty to bring in some quality free agents.

Step #2: Instant impact free agents

The offense needs a boost, plain and simple. And the area that is most needed is the interior offensive line. Luckily for the Bears, the top free agent in football plays right guard. 

A Rocky Top reunion of Pro Bowl Right Guard Trey Smith and current Bears Right tackle Darnell Wright could give the Bears a formidable duo for the next five years. The two played together for two seasons in 2019 and 2020 before Smith graduated and was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs.

It will cost the Bears though.  They will likely need to reset the Guard market with a large offer.  Assuming he gets a five years deal, the contract will likely reach nine figures. This is where having a quarterback on a rookie deal really benefits Chicago. Smith will turn 26 next summer and he has only missed 1 game over the last 3 seasons.  Add in the built in chemistry with Wright and there are certainly worse ways to spend $105 million over 4 years. In free agency, there will always be a slight overpay but in this case it is very worth it.

Drew Dalman, the Atlanta Falcon's Center, is the next target for the Bears.  Ryan Poles is a former Offensive lineman who has failed with nearly every one of his trench acquisitions. Luckily, Dalman is entering his prime, turning 27 next October. A fair contract of 3 years, $40 million should land the promising center.  He is coming off a great year, where PFF ranked him 4th among all centers. His strength is run blocking and I'm sure Deandre Swift and the rest of the bottom 10 ranked rushing attack would appreciate this addition.

The last acquisition in free agency will be to add some much needed speed to the field.  DJ Moore and Rome Odunze are great duo to build a passing attack but the Bears need someone to fill the Jameson Williams hole in this offense. Keenan Allen's likely departure frees up plenty of targets and cap space for a younger, shiftier replacement. A receiver like Tutu Atwell on a 1 or 2 year prove it deal fits in perfectly. The advance stats love him, ranking him near the top of average cushion and targeted air yards. A two year, $12 million gives him a chance to join an up and coming offense while also setting him up for a bigger payday down the road.

Step #3: Add in some Rookie Reinforcements

The first three picks of the draft need to be over 250 pounds. The Bears desperately needs to get more dynamic in the trenches. And despite the free agent acquisitions above, Will Campbell is still too good to pass up at #10.  A potential starting line of:

Braxton Jones - Will Campbell - Drew Dalman - Trey Smith - Darnell Wright

would have Caleb Williams and every Bears fan smiling.

Campbell has the potential to play multiple position on the line. Scouts love his toughness. When he gets his hands on defenders they do not get away.  The fact he started as a true freshman in the SEC and ended up second team All-SEC shows his skillset is no fluke. 

The major concern for him is his arm length. While a questionable length for a tackle, it would be great for a guard.  Give him a year at left guard surrounded by veterans and watch him flourish.  As a bonus, they could decide to move him to LT next offseason when Jones' contract is up.

Walter Nolen and Princely Umanmielen were a great duo in the SEC and the Bears would be lucky to keep them together in the pros. The Bears were middle of the pack in the league with only 40 sacks on the season. Umanmielen had 10.5 sacks himself this past season and profiles as a 3-4 edge rusher but his skillset would be valuable in any defense.  He could provide instant pass rush as he builds up his strength.  

Nolen provides much needed depth on the interior defensive line. His 6.5 sacks earned him All American status. And he is not just a pass rusher, he is a dominant run defender. The Bears' rush defense torpedoed once Andrew Billings was injured. These two defenders at the very least are contributors in their debut seasons and in a perfect world are the Bears' version of the Rams' rookies Jared Verse and Braden Fiske. 

Finally, TreVeyon Henderson would be a great compliment to Deandre Swift. He has three down potential at the next level. He finally had a fully healthy season, that I think could be contributed to splitting duties with Quinshon Judkins. He might not be the most physically imposing running back at only 5'10 and 207 pounds but he is a big play machine and would be a great addition in a deep running back class.

Bears 2025 Coaching Staff Thoughts

2025 is off to a great start for the Chicago Bears. It started with a win on the road over their hated rivals up in Lambeau.  And now, they have their new head coach in offensive guru, Ben Johnson.  The fanbase was shocked when the franchise for the first time since...... well ever, landed the number one target in the coaching carousel.  Do we know how he will be as a head coach? No, but the fact the Bears walked into the bar, saw the prettiest girl in the place and swept her off the feet, has to instill hope that this regime won't have the same ending as usual.  

Sure, this relationship can end up in a hate-filled divorce like nearly every relationship in the league but maybe, just maybe, it is happily ever after time at Halas Hall.

 

But Ben is just one man.  Who is going to complete his staff? According to reports, former New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen is the leading candidate to become Ben Johnson's defensive coordinator for the Chicago Bears. While his head coaching career has been a disappointing 26-53 between stops in Oakland and New Orleans. His defenses have remained strong when tasked to only focus on that side of the ball.

Looking at the 2021 season (his final as a DC), the Saints were fourth in in scoring defense (19.7 points per game), opponent net yards per play (5.08) and run defense (93.5 yards per game), seventh in total defense (318.2 net yards per game) and eighth in sacks (46).  His aggressive style, featuring multiple looks will be a welcome change to the basic cover 2 shell life that has been occupying Soldier Field the last three seasons.

But who will help Ben Johnson bring the Bears offense into the 21st century? Right now, Hank Fraley, the Lions offensive line coach is the rumored top name.  With Johnson, most likely keeping play calling duties, the Bears could go in may directions for this space.  A hire like Fraley would be met with open arms in Chicago, especially by Caleb Williams.

Too often the Bears play calling and execution led to arguments about who to blame on sacks? Was Caleb holding the ball too long? Is Braxton Jones a legitimate left tackle? Does Nate Davis know he is allowed to touch the defensive tackle across from him?

All you need to do is read quotes from the Lions' Pro Bowl Center and All Pro left tackle to know the type of value he would bring to the team. I am not saying Darnell Wright will turn into Penei Sewell but if he starts playing up to his potential and the Bears continue their poaching of the Lions and bring in Kevin Zeitler to solidify the inside with Dan Skinner as the extra lineman.  All of a sudden Ben Johnson isn't the only person in the room with any knowledge of the offense getting implemented. 

The Bears will have to beat out the Seahawks who recently brought Fraley in for a second interview, as well as his current team the Lions, who can offer the same position. All three spots have different strengths and weaknesses.  In Seattle, he would have play-calling powers since current HC, Mike Macdonald calls the defense.  But he has to be wary that Macdonald has already gone through one OC after after he fired first-time NFL OC Ryan Grubb after one season.  Detroit and Chicago both offer different levels of familiarity.  In Chicago, he would have an expanded job role and get to mold a brand new room that likely will have three new starters.  Also, he probably would be given an assistant head coach title despite a lack of play calling. But it'll probably be hard to top Detroit if they decide to promote him.  In Detroit, he knows the room, and as noted above, they love him.

A name to watch, to me, if Johnson decides to go away from the current Lions staff is Tavita Pritchard. Pritchard is the current Quarterbacks Coach for the Washington Commanders.  Anyone see how that Jayden Daniels guy has played this season? But its not just his work with the rookie. Before joining the Commanders in 2023 he spent over a decade at Stanford.  During that time, he saw four quarterbacks get drafted into the NFL - Andrew Luck, Kevin Hogan, Davis Mills and Tanner McKee. With a Caleb Williams entering his second season, it is important to give him all the help possible and I think a Pritchard/Johnson combo could be just what it is needed.

Early Bears Wishlist

 After the releases of longtime Bears, Eddie Jackson and Cody Whitehair it is time to look forward to what will be the primary acquisitions of the Bears offseason.  Per the smart people at Overthecap.com the Bears have around $67 million in cap space.  This means the real total is around $55 million after setting aside money for draft picks. 

Tag Jaylon Johnson (18.8 mill)
The most important thing to do is find a way to make sure Jaylon Johnson is on this roster next season.  I would love a long term deal but if all else fails then the franchise tag works.

Pro Bowl cornerbacks don't grow on trees and after reeling in a career high four interceptions in 2023, the stats are finally catching up to the strong play fans have seen from him.

Sign Lloyd Cushenberry (4yr/$55 million)
The Bears not having a second round pick makes it unlikely to find a rookie starter in the draft. Cushenberry has been effective ever since he took over the center position in DEnver as a rookie back in 2020. He has plenty of experience and is more of a pass protector than a force in the run game. But that is perfectly ok with a rookie QB likely taking over the offense.

AJ Epenesa (3years/$27million)
A guy like Danielle Hunter or Chris Jones would be ideal but once I start crunching the numbers I do not see how there is room for a $20+ million deal while also filling up other holes on this roster. Plus they both will be on the wrong side of 30 by midseason, which Poles has tended to avoid in his acquisitions. 
Espenesa will be entering his age 26 season and coming off back to back 6.5 sack seasons. 
He played for the Bears new defensive coordinator, Eric Washington, in Buffalo last season and his size at 6'6, 260 would be almost identical to what pro bowler Montez Sweat brings on the other side. 
And while Edwardsville is 4 hours away from the city, we all know Poles loves to bring local guys back home.

The remaining money could go to a number of other depth pieces.  Does Noah Fant follow Shane Waldron from Seattle?  Do the Bears decide to throw money at a veteran running back to help Williams in his rookie season? Comment below with your Bears wishlist.  

As a bonus, here is my current Bears mock for their first three picks.  I expect there to be at least a couple picks added after Fields is dealt but his value has a huge variance depending on who you read from around the league.

#1: Caleb Williams - QB - USC 

#9: Romeo Odunze - WR - Washington

#75: Jaden Hicks - S - Washington State

An ode to the Pac 12 as all three picks head east from the conference's ruins.

A new face of the franchise along with a shiny new weapon to compliment DJ Moore. And in the third round, a potential Eddie Jackson replacement 

The Unofficial Official End of the Nagy Era

 

Last week was a plea to Virginia and her bonehead kids to fire the General Manager. I swore that I would not give the current regime anymore time.  But this week I fell into the same trap once again.  A double digit halftime lead that still existed late into the fourth quarter gave me hope that maybe the season was not a complete dumpster fire.

What happened next even the most negative Bears fans could not see coming.  Stafford goes over 400 yards, Nagy refuses to run the ball, turnover, Allen Robinson forgets what a first down is and the Bears left Soldier Field with their sixth straight loss. 

A month ago, I wondered how a franchise could justify getting rid of a coach with an undefeated record against two division opponents. But the decision making today sealed his fate, Matt Nagy must go. 

This is a guy who in a press conference last years had to utter the words "I'm not an idiot." 

Well, David Montgomery had 11 carries for 62 yards & 2 touchdowns on the ground in the 1st half. He did not receive another carry until 2:27 left in the 3rd quarter. And only carried the ball six times the entire second half.

Sorry, Matt, but if one makes lineup decisions like one, calls plays like one and sounds like one, chance are you are soon to be an unemployed one.

Leave a comment below with who you'd like to see try and resurrect this franchise.

Ryan Pace Must Go

After another primetime national embarrassment it is clear changes are necessary for the Chicago Bears.  The change should start at the top with Ted Philips but since he has managed to hold a spot in the franchise for over 20 years, making a change at general manager is much more likely.

Pace has only one winning season in his six seasons with the franchise and has whiffed on the two biggest decisions a GM makes multiple times, picking a head coach and a quarterback. Pace's inaugural season was headlined by hiring John Fox and drafting Kevin White. After moving on from Fox he replaced him with Matt Nagy, an "offensive genius" who has not managed to raise the offense from the basement of the league.

The biggest problem I have with Pace is that he didn't do anything to improve this offense coming into the season. Anyone with two eyes could tell the Bears offense needed help.  

A quick look at stats in 2019 and where the Bears ranked:

17.5 points per game (29th) 296.8 yards per game (29th) 4.7 yards per play (31st) 5.3 net per attempt (32nd) 3.7 yards per rush (30th)
Pace looked at these numbers and decided to spend three of his top four draft picks on defensive players. Jaylon Johnson has been pretty solid as a rookie cornerback but the other two picks, Trevis Gipson and Kindle Vildor, have been ghosts. The two of them have combined for 14 defensive going into the Packers game tonight.

Shockingly when combined with the other offseason additions of Nick Foles, Ted Ginn Jr, Jimmy Graham and Germain Ifedi, the offense is a joke once again.

Pace is 0 for 2 on head coaches and 0 for 3 on quarterbacks. Those results do not warrant another opportunity to make either decision.  

The Texans, Jaguars and Lions have already moved from their GMs so if the Bears want the best candidate they need to move fast.  

I am open to any ideas as possible replacements, please leave a comment below with your top choices.

Free Agency Day One Podcast

Brandon Marshall on the Move... Again

The Bears new regime made their first huge player personnel decision today sending Brandon Marshall to the Jets for a reported fifth round draft pick. 

Ryan Pace is already putting his mark on the team.  He wants a new defense, better and scouts and his own players and Marshall is just the beginning of that. The much maligned receiver was Pace's predecessor's first big splash so it shouldn't come as a shock that he is the first to go.
Marshall was a breath of fresh air for a franchise that had not had a true number one receiver in some time before his arrival but it was time for him to leave. He is 31 years old, has gone through multiple hip surgeries and seems to be more focused on his TV career than his game.

Replacing his production will be difficult, Alshon Jeffery will need to step up while he looks for a new contract and we will see if Marquess Wilson can live up to the potential the previous coaching regime would gush about. It appears the Bears are already looking to the free agent market to help the passing game.

Now, all eyes will be on what Pace and company does with the almost $4 million in cap savings this trade provides. The signing of Jimmy Clausen today likely puts a stop to the rumors of signing Jake Locker or another quarterback.

Make sure to vote in the poll on the right and let me know what you thought about the move in the comments below.

As a bonus you can also listen to my podcast recorded before all this news went down where I preview my thoughts on the free agency market for the Bears and potential first round draft picks.

Bears Status Report: No Trust in Trestman

The opener against the Bills was bad but I still managed to hold out hope in the offense. In week 4, the defense didn't force a single punt, but hey the Bears were 2-2, they were still in it. But after back to back losses and losing 5 of 6 it is time to put this regime to bed. 

Marc Trestman's press conference just ended and after showing up 30 minutes late I think he might be delusional. After the Patriots game, Trestman and the staff preached they would figure things out during the bye week and improve. Well, what the hell was last night? It looked like the defense never heard of Jordy Nelson. Defensive plaers could not communicate the plays/audibles and the offense refused to give the ball to our most consistent player, Matt Forte.

Today, Trestman finally admitted there are issues with the team but guess what his solution to solving the problems are? He is going forward with the exact same practices and coaches that have the Bears at 3-6! Trestman might as well as be a four-year-old messing around with a hot stove.  The only difference is eventually the kid grows up and realizes he doesn't belong as a NFL coach.

Source: @_marcusD_

Way Too Early 2014 Bears Mock Draft

The NFL Playoffs continue and as a Bears fan all I can do is think about the 2014-2015 season.  Phil Emery completely retooled the offensive line last season and his moves helped make the attack one of the elite in the NFL.

Unfortunately, the jump in offensive production was not enough to cover a lackluster special teams unit and and a bruised/awful defense.

The Bears have already re-signed Jay Cutler, Matt Slauson and Tim Jennings, three guys that all will play pivotal roles next season.  This still leaves the Bears with over 20 free agents and a lot of decisions to be made about their defense.


Will the Bears cut Julius Peppers or ask him to restructure this contract? Is the age of the Peanut Punch over in Chicago? Can Henry Melton start focusing on attacking opponents' quarterbacks instead of people at a bar?  All these questions will effect the Bears decision making in the upcoming NFL draft.

Even though I do not have the answers to any of these question I will not let that stop me from creating my way too early, Bears mock draft Version 1.0.

Round 1 - #14 - Haha Clinton-Dix, S, Alabama. 6'1, 207 lbs.

Round 2 - #51 - Timothy Jernigan, DT, Florida St. 6'2, 292 lbs.

Round 3 - #81 - Kareem Martin, DE, UNC. 6'6, 295 lbs.

Round 4 - #113 - Stanley Jean-Baptise, CB, Nebraska. 6'3, 220 lbs.

Round 5 - #144 - Aaron Murray, QB, Georgia 6'1, 208 lbs.

Round 6 - #167 - Max Bullough, LB, Michigan St. 6'3 235 lbs.

Round 6 - #175 - Jalen Saunders, WR, Oklahoma. 5'9, 160 lbs.


I'm sure by the time May gets here, many of these players draft positions will have changed.  This draft works to achieve the goal Emery talked about in his end of season press conference.  Drafting defense in the first four picks helps make them younger and much more athletic.  Clinton-Dix immediately walks into a starting role, while Jernigan and Martin will also contribute right away in key situations with their skill sets.

Jean-Baptiste has the perfect size for a cornerback and with quality coaching/playing under Tim Jennings, I think he can develop into a quality starter in the league.

Aaron Murray would be a steal in the 5th round.  He may be injured now but will be back to 100% by the time the season starts. Jay Cutler has been hurt in the past so getting a talented QB like Murray late to groom under Jay is key.

Bullough is a guy that many think overachieved at Michigan St due to the fact his measurables don't leap off the charts.  But every team needs a a couple guys like Bullough.  Plug him in on special teams and watch him make plays.

The last pick in the draft I debated with selecting a tight end but I settled on Saunders, an undersized wide receiver, because the Bears need to move on from Devin Hester.  Saunders was one of the nation's best punt returners last season and Trestman could also be lethal in the screen game with the Bears' athletic offensive line and big, blocking wide receivers.

What positions/players do you think the Bears should target?  If you're not a Bears fan let me know what players you're hoping your team takes.

Remember to vote on the poll to the right, follow me on Twitter and share this with all your friends.