The Chicago Bears will enter the 2020 NFL offseason doing their best to right what could become a sinking ship fast. Just a season removed from a rebirth of sorts, it all went wrong in 2019. How can it be fixed before it's too late?
With the rumor mill suggesting that the Bears should move on from QB Mitchell Trubisky, that proves how serious the situation is. With the Bears heading into the 2020 NFL Drat with six picks, the free agency period is where they could make some ground up. But with who” Can the Bears find the right talent to mesh with a core
Jadeveon Clowney (DE-Seattle Seahawks)
It's time for the Chicago Bears to get back to playing football the old fashion way. Smash-mouth on the offensive side and bone-crushing hits on the defensive side. However, in order for that to happen, the Bears need someone to attack from the end. With Khalil Mack causing havoc, he's seeing more doubles and coordinators are devising schemes to keep the ball away from his area.
Last season, the Bears registered just 32 sacks on the year with Mack providing 8.5. A down year indeed for him but not all his fault. The defensive line must improve and improve fast. The NFC North has become a QB's division. With Aaron Rodgers, Matthew Stafford, and Kirk Cousins, the Bears will face three QB's twice a year who can get the ball downfield quickly in three steps.
If the line fails to provide proper pressure, this could be another lost season. Jadeveon Clowney still has gas in the tank. While he did not dominate for the Seattle Seahawks in 2019, he may fare better with the Bears while teaming with Mack. Sometimes, it's all about the scheme and chemistry. Clowney registered three sacks and 31 tackles for Seattle but has 13 QB hits. He's quick off the snap and will take pressure and attention off Mack which will open him up to do what he does best.
Jason Peters (Offensive Tackle-Philadelphia Eagles)
Forget the age. The Bears need experience on the line, the huddle, and in the locker room. Jason Peters is a sold vet. He's won before and has been around some of the best QB's and schemes. If pressure handling was a free agent intangible, then Peters deserves top dollar this offseason. The Philadelphia Eagles have moved on but the Bears need exactly what Peters has to offer.
In 2019, the Bears offensive line surrendered 45 sacks on the year but also rushed the ball 395 times for 1458 yards while averaging 3.7 yards per carry. It's time for some stability.
With talk of moving on from Trubisky, this is one of the main reasons why. It's hard to read a defense from the bottom of the pile. The Eagles have also been a great running team and a large part of that has been the blocking of Peters. The Bears ranked 27th in total rushing and 29th in yards per carry in 2019. A Jason Peters signing will provide them a leader in the trenches.
Philip Rivers (QB-Los Angeles Chargers)
Despite having Mitch Trubisky as their starter, the Bears still should be on the lookout for another signal-caller. There are players who can play in the league and excel. Then you have some who may need proper guidance to learn the NFL. Trubisky is the latter.
He was thrown into the fire when it's clear he wasn't ready. Yes, he did lead them to the playoffs in his second season but everything was going right for the team at the time. With Philip Rivers available, this could be the signing the Bears need to challenge the Packers and Vikings in the NFC North.
With Rivers up there in age, he has possibly one or two more years left before he retires. The Bears would be wise to hand the keys over to him and let Trubisky learn from one of the greats at the position.
In 2019, Rivers had what is considered a down year for a player of his stature. He passed for 4615 yards and 23 touchdowns while completing 66.0 percent of his passes. In an offense that features the sure hands of Allen Robinson and the emergence of Anthony Miller at wide receiver, Rivers will have at least two reliable targets. His price tag may be a bit high. According to Spotrac, his market value is $24.3M, the Bears will have to consider that.
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