Tag: charles leno jr.

Bears target QB, OT in new 2-round 2021 NFL mock draft

The 2020 NFL Draft just concluded over a month ago, but it’s never too early to start looking at 2021 mock drafts. Especially now that the Chicago Bears actually have a first-round pick for the first time in three years. At least, as of now. In …

The 2020 NFL Draft just concluded over a month ago, but it’s never too early to start looking at 2021 mock drafts. Especially now that the Chicago Bears actually have a first-round pick for the first time in three years. At least, as of now.

In Draft Wire‘s way-too-early 2021 NFL mock draft, Luke Easterling has the Bears targeting two specific offensive needs in quarterback and offensive tackle.

With Chicago’s first-round selection, Easterling has the Bears selecting Georgia quarterback Jamie Newman with the 14th overall pick. Newman is transferring from Wake Forest to Georgia, where his big-time arm and mobility should be fun to watch. Last year, Newman passed for 2,868 yards, 26 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

Bears general manager Ryan Pace swung and missed with the selection of Mitchell Trubisky, who now finds himself in the middle of a quarterback competition with veteran Nick Foles. If Foles ends up winning the starting job, he could be the bridge quarterback until the Bears bring in a young potential franchise quarterback, perhaps Newman.

Then with the Bears’ second-round pick, Easterling has Chicago drafting Clemson offensive tackle Jackson Carman with the 46th overall pick. Carman took over as the starting left tackle in 2019, where he played 798 snaps on 15 starts for the Tigers.

Chicago is financially strapped to both left tackle Charles Leno Jr. and right tackle Bobby Massie through at least 2021. They’d be wise to get a top offensive tackle prospect like Carman to build for the future.

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Winners and losers of the Bears’ 2020 offseason

The Bears made some moves this offseason. Who benefited and who didn’t? Read on to see the list of winners and losers this offseason.

Barring any last-minute surprises, the Chicago Bears’ 2020 offseason has concluded when it comes to their signings, releases, and draft selections. General manager Ryan Pace has arguably had his busiest offseason, bringing in numerous veterans via free agency and trades while maneuvering through the 2020 NFL Draft to find the most impactful players.

But when it comes to the holdovers on the roster, who benefited from the moves and who didn’t?

Read on to see the list of winners and losers this offseason.

Winner: OLB Khalil Mack

Quinn Harris/Getty Images

Last season didn’t go as planned for Khalil Mack. Following an All-Pro season in 2018 where he sprinted out of the gates to torment opposing quarterbacks, Mack was relatively quiet in 2019. He still had 8.5 sacks and five forced fumbles, but he wasn’t able to change games like he had during the previous season. Perhaps it was due to the lack of production on the other side?

Enter outside linebacker Robert Quinn, one of the best pure edge rushers in the league. Quinn, who had 11.5 sacks for the Dallas Cowboys last season, signed a five-year, $70 million deal this offseason and replaces the ineffective Leonard Floyd. He immediately provides a boost on the opposite end of of the defensive line and should draw more attention than Floyd ever did, allowing Mack to return to dominating offensive tackles.

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Ranking 7 Bears under the most pressure in 2020

There are several Bears players, coaches and front-office staff that are facing more pressure than others this season.

The Chicago Bears are among the teams under the most pressure heading into 2020. That’s what happens when, just one year removed from a postseason appearance, you stumble to a 8-8 season.

There were many reasons why the Bears struggled in 2019 — most of them coming on offense — and there are several players (and coaches and front-office staff) that are facing more pressure than others this season.

Although there are some, like tight end Adam Shaheen, that likely won’t even make the roster, so I didn’t bother adding him to the list. Let’s take a look at the Bears under the most pressure in 2020.

7. Anthony Miller

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

There’s no question when receiver Anthony Miller is healthy he’s proven to be a downfield target that benefits this offense. But Miller has been hampered by injuries over these last two seasons, which haven’t cost him significant game time but have affected his progress in the offense.

Last season, he wasn’t able to participate in offseason workouts following recovery from shoulder surgery, and it took him some time to finally get going last season. But when he did, he was special. He’ll find himself in a similar boat this season, as he’s coming off a second surgery on that left shoulder in two years. Miller needs to stay healthy in order to further progress and produce consistently, not just in spurts.

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5 things to know about new Bears OT Jason Spriggs

The Bears added depth at offensive tackle with the signing of Jason Spriggs. Get to know Chicago’s newest offensive lineman.

The Chicago Bears added depth to their offensive line with the addition of former second-round pick Jason Spriggs. Spriggs, who’s spent his career with the Packers, signed a one-year deal with Chicago on Friday.

While he certainly won’t be competing for a starting job, he’ll provide much-needed depth at a position that was a concern last season. While Spriggs hasn’t lived up to his second-round billing, perhaps new offensive line coach Juan Castillo can salvage some potential left in Spriggs.

Let’s get to know the Bears’ newest offensive lineman:

1. The Bears were interested in Spriggs in 2016 NFL Draft

Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel via USA TODAY NETWORK

It doesn’t seem like a coincidence that the Bears are taking a chance on Spriggs considering general manager Ryan Pace was interested in the former Indiana Hooiser in the 2016 NFL Draft.

The Bears were looking at drafting Spriggs, but Packers general manager Ted Thompson traded up to snag him before Chicago could with the 48th overall pick. Instead of getting Spriggs, the Bears traded back and drafted interior offensive lineman Cody Whitehair with the 56th overall pick.

Considering Spriggs hasn’t lived up to his second-round billing — and Whitehair has earned a second contract — the Bears certainly got the better end of the deal.

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Bears held pre-draft meeting with Louisiana-Lafayette OT Robert Hunt

Bears GM Ryan Pace figures to consider drafting an offensive lineman with one of Chicago’s 2nd-round picks.

The Chicago Bears have no shortage of roster needs heading into the 2020 NFL Draft, especially when it comes to the offensive side of the ball.

You figure general manager Ryan Pace will be considering drafting an offensive lineman with one of Chicago’s second-round picks. And they have certainly been doing their homework on offensive linemen.

The Bears recently held a pre-draft meeting with Louisiana-Lafayette offensive tackle Robert Hunt over FaceTime, according to Draft Wire’s Justin Melo.

While the Bears are financially committed to left tackle Charles Leno Jr. and right tackle Bobby Massie in 2020, this draft presents itself as a chance to build toward the future.

Hunt played most of his collegiate career at right tackle, and he’d be a great developmental player that could be groomed to replace Massie should Chicago decide to part ways with him.

But the Bears are also looking for a right guard, and CBS Sports’ Josh Edwards has mentioned that Hunt was garnering some interest as an interior lineman at the NFL Scouting Combine.

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Bears have met with Houston OT Josh Jones twice ahead of NFL Draft

The Bears are showing interest in Houston OT Josh Jones, who they’ve met with at least twice ahead of the 2020 NFL Draft.

There are no shortage of roster needs for the Chicago Bears, especially on the offensive side of the ball. But perhaps one of Chicago’s biggest concerns is the offensive line, which has questions at both guard and tackle.

Houston offensive tackle Josh Jones is someone the Bears appear to be interested in, as they’ve met with him at least twice ahead of the NFL Draft later this month.

Jones had a private visit with Chicago before the coronavirus outbreak, and he recently met with them through FaceTime, according to Draft Wire’s Justin Melo.

The Bears have addressed offensive line this offseason with the addition of new offensive line coach Juan Castillo, as well as the free-agent signing of Germain Ifedi. While Ifedi played right tackle most of his four-year NFL career, he figures to compete for the vacant right guard spot.

While Charles Leno Jr. and Bobby Massie will be the starters at left tackle and right tackle, respectively, their future beyond 2020 isn’t as certain. If the Bears decided to part ways with Leno next offseason, they’d save $6.2 million in cap space with a dead-cap hit of $5.1 million. For Massie, the Bears would save $5.4 million in cap space with $3.9 million in dead money.

If the Bears target an offensive tackle in the NFL Draft, they’ll be building for the future. Jones is considered one of the top offensive tackles in this year’s draft class. Jones played mostly at left tackle during his collegiate career, and he’d figure to be the heir apparent to Leno should the Bears decide to part ways with him.

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5 things to know about new Bears OL Germain Ifedi

The Bears finally addressed OL with the free-agent signing of former 1st-round pick Germain Ifredi. Get to know Chicago’s newest player.

Heading into the offseason, the Bears knew that offensive line was a major concern that needed to be addressed. Which is why it was a surprise that Chicago didn’t make any moves during the early wave of free agency.

The Bears finally addressed offensive line with the free-agent signing of former first-round draft pick Germain Ifredi. Chicago essentially signed Ifredi to a one-year prove it deal.

And, considering Ifredi’s struggles in Seattle, he certainly has a lot to prove if he wants a future in Chicago.

Here are five things to know about the Bears newest offensive lineman:

1. Ifedi is another first-round bust signed by Bears

Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Ryan Pace hasn’t found much luck with his own first-round selections (see: Kevin White, Leonard Floyd, Mitchell Trubisky). So, instead, he’s turning to other team’s failed first-round picks in hopes that they’ll find new life in Chicago.

Ifedi is the latest first-round selection that didn’t earn a second contract from his original team, joining the likes of new cornerback Artie Burns and outside linebacker Barkevious Mingo.

Ifedi was selected by the Seahawks with the 31st selection in the 2016 NFL Draft, and he’s been one of the more polarizing guys on the roster. After Seattle declined to pick up his fifth-year option ahead of the 2019 season, everyone knew the writing was on the wall in regards to his future with the Seahawks.

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Germain Ifedi signing isn’t Bears’ answer for offensive line help

The Bears signed former Seahawks OL Germain Ifedi, but is he really the answer for Chicago’s offensive line woes?

Heading into the offseason, the offensive line was such a huge need for the Chicago Bears and general manager Ryan Pace knew it had to be addressed.

On Wednesday, Pace went out and signed former Seattle Seahawks offensive lineman, Germain Ifedi. The move wasn’t what some Bears fans were expecting, that’s for sure.

Ifedi, a former first-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, is a versatile type player because he’s played both right guard and tackle.

According to PFF, Ifedi had 13 penalties in 2019 — tied for fifth in the NFL — on 1,107 snaps played. The Bears are now stuck with two offensive linemen who commit an egregious amount of penalties, as Charles Leno Jr. is known for the exact same thing.

With Kyle Long’s retirement, the Bears are in need of a right guard, but I just don’t think signing Ifedi was the right move.

Now that Ifedi will possibly be playing right guard, it is likely that the Bears won’t draft a guard and will focus on bringing in a tackle in the upcoming NFL Draft.

Personally, I don’t like this move at all. I think it would’ve been a better move to let Alex Bars play right guard to start the season.

What do you think? Do you like the Ifedi move? Do you hate it?

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QB, OL, DB among Bears’ biggest offseason needs

The Bears have plenty of needs to address this offseason if they hope to turn around a disappointing 2019 season.

With the offseason in full swing, the Bears have plenty of needs to address if they hope to turn around a disappointing 2019 season, where they went 8-8 and missed the playoffs.

As far as the Bears’ biggest offseason needs, NFL.com believes the Bears need to address the quarterback position, as well as offensive line, secondary and even tight end.

I know GM Ryan Pace said in the direct aftermath of a massively disappointing 2019 season that he’s sticking with Mitchell Trubisky as his QB1, but he has to find someone at the position who can help his team win games in the event that his prized former No. 2 overall pick continues to sputter. It’s not listed here, but tight end help should be a priority, as well.

While the Bears remain publicly committed to Mitchell Trubisky as their starting quarterback in 2020, things can certainly change between now, training camp and the start of the season.

The Bears are likely to target a veteran quarterback in free agency, although they could also bring in a young prospect to develop behind Trubisky.

Chicago would serve well to invest in the offensive line, even as they remain strapped for the 2020 season with tackles Charles Leno Jr. and Bobby Massie. The Bears have an out with both Leno and Massie following the 2020 season, and if that’s the goal they need to have replacements in place.

Tight end is another important offseason need, especially considering the embarrassing production (if you could call it that) by that group in 2019. While Trey Burton is expected back — as his dead money hit of $7.5 million would be too great — the same can’t be said for Adam Shaheen. The Bears have shown interest in several tight ends in this pre-draft process, which only indicates that tight end is a big priority this offseason.

Then there’s the defense, which has far fewer needs. Although defensive back is certainly at the top of that list. With cornerback Prince Amukamara likely to become a cap-casualty — as Chicago could save $9 million by cutting him — and safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix likely to hit the free agent market, the Bears need to find replacements opposite Kyle Fuller and Eddie Jackson.

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