Each fictional Chicago Bears 2023 offseason is about experimenting with possibilities as the picture becomes more apparent. Here’s what we know. The Bears hold the second pick in the draft with two games left. Two victories put them in 7th place overall. A probable victory brings them back to 4th place. Losing guarantees No. 2 with a chance to steal No. 1 if Houston wins one of its final two. It’s amazing how two games that shouldn’t make sense can create so much stress for a fan base. Yet here we are.
The big debate right now is what GM Ryan Poles will do if he ends up with the 2nd choice. Many believe he’s a virtual lock to trade, collecting extra picks from teams desperate to land their QB of the future. There will be opportunities for this as these teams continue to pile up in the top 10. It will depend on whether a team is ready and willing to pay the full price. Here’s another possibility the Bears might consider.
This fictional Chicago Bears 2023 offseason is all about seizing opportunities.
Cups:
- OG Cody Whitehair – $5.8 million saved
- DE Al-Quadin Muhammad – $4 million saved
Re-signatures/Extensions:
- Jaylon Johnson – 4-year extension for $70 million
- David Montgomery 3-year contract for 27 million dollars
- Cole Kmet – 4-year extension for $32.4 million
- Nicholas Morrow – 2-year contract for $10 million
- Armon Watts – one-year contract for $1.08 million
- Equinimous St. Brown – One-year contract for $1.08 million
- N’Keal Harry – One-year contract for $1.08 million
- Trevon Wesco – one-year contract for $1.08 million
- Matthew Adams – one-year contract for $1.08 million
- Dane Cruikshank – one-year contract for $1.08 million
- DeAndre Houston-Carson – one-year contract for $1.165 million
- Patrick Scales – one year contract $1.165 million
- Josh Blackwell – ERFA deal for $750,000
Free Agency:
Da’Ron Payne – 5-year contract for $95 million
The intent here is obvious. There’s no way this mock Bears 2023 offseason will end without the team looking to resolve its three-technical stance. They badly need an inside rusher pass. Payne has been among the most dominant in the NFL this season at this position. He has 9.5 sacks and 17 QB hits. Blocking it for 60 minutes is next to impossible. It would be a significant step in the right direction.
Jawaan Taylor – 4-year contract for $70 million
He had probably one of the quietest best years of any tackle in the league. Taylor has given up just 14 quarterback pressures all season, missing no games. He’s a big part of why Trevor Lawrence had such a breakout in the second half of 2023. Jacksonville might want to keep him, but they don’t have the ceiling space to do so, and they have a replacement pending with Walker Little.
Bobby Okereke – 3-year contract for 15 million dollars
He was very productive in his final season with Matt Eberflus in 2021. He knows that defense better than anyone, and it’s clear the Colts are about to enter a period of transition. The Bears need more stability at linebacker. Okereke brings proven experience and productivity. He will have made 130 tackles for the second consecutive year at the end of this season.
Damien Harris – One year contract for 6 million dollars
The former 3rd round pick has been outstanding in 2021, posting over 900 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. Unfortunately, injuries have slowed him down this season. When healthy, he is a reliable fullback who is excellent in short-range situations and adds value to his pass protection skills. He will add even more depth to an already solid position for the Bears.
Keisean Nixon – one-year contract for $2 million
Nixon has established himself as one of the best returners in the NFL. He also showed flashes of improved coverage as a cornerback. He adds value in two areas for the Bears. He will bring depth to their secondary and can also fulfill their role as a punt returner.
Sketch:
Traded: No. 2 and 4th pick in 2024 to Raiders for No. 9 pick, 2nd in 2023, 2nd in 2024 and DE Maxx Crosby
Round 1 (via LVR) – Tyree Wilson, EDGE, Texas Tech
Landing a star pass rusher like Crosby would have been considered enough. However, the Bears aren’t done yet. They bring the redesign to a wild conclusion by also adding Wilson. This is the ideal type of Eberflus. Not only is he a good athlete, but he has 36-inch arms and plenty of power. This defense suits him perfectly and playing opposite Crosby will mean he will have plenty of one-on-one blocks to start his career. If he becomes what he could be, he is a potential stallion.
Traded: 41st pick (via LVR) and 3rd in 2023 to Bills for 30th pick, 5th in 2023 and 7th in 2024
Round 1 (via BUF) – Andrew Vorhees, OG, USC
The Poles understand how much the offensive line needs help. He said early on that he wanted strong, hard blockers up front. Tone givers. Vorhees lives up to his last name because he legitimately tries to kill everyone he meets. The guy is a road leveler who punches open holes on his running backs. Although he is not an elite athlete, he moves in space quite well and can do well in pass protection. A plug-and-play starter at the hilt.
Trade: #56 pick to Saints for 3rd in 2023, 4th in 2023, 5th in 2023 and 5th in 2024
3rd round (via NO) – Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College
People will pick on Flowers because he’s shorter (5’10) and he doesn’t weigh much. That doesn’t seem to have stopped him from dominating for three years. He is fast, athletic and has a natural instinct for a playmaker. His running is one of his greatest strengths. Defensive backs are often not ready for this. The Bears could deploy him inside or outside to find mismatches. He also has experience as a gadget player in the racing game.
Round 4 – Jakorian Bennett, BC, Maryland
An athletic cornerback with a tenacious streak. He plays physically despite his 5’11 frame and works best in a zone system. It is therefore well placed. He’s also got his hands on the football a lot, posting four interceptions and 21 passes defended over the past two seasons. His arrival would give Chicago more depth at a critical position and someone who can play inside and out.
Round 4 (via NO) – Xavier Hutchinson, WR, Iowa State
It’s not unique in any category, but it’s not weak either. Hutchinson has the size, size, athleticism and decent speed. He is also an adequate road runner. He has the awareness and the hands to follow the ball and make difficult catches. His production has improved in each of the last three seasons and he also appears in films. It feels like his best football is still ahead of him.
Round 5 – Olusegun Oluwatimi, C, Michigan
His size and athleticism won’t impress anyone. Still, he has enough of both to handle most of the defensive linemen he faces. He moves well and shows a lot of intelligence on the pitch. Lightning and waterfalls rarely catch him off guard. Speed won’t beat him often. It’s the power that can get him in trouble from time to time. Yet it has the ability to start and can play right away if needed.
Round 5 (via BUF) – Tuli Tuipulotu, DL, USC
He can be described as a tweener. He’s not big enough to be a defensive tackle and not long enough to be a defensive end. However, one thing remains certain. Tuipulotu is creating havoc in the backfield. His 12.5 sacks and 21.5 tackles for a loss prove it this season. This fictional Bears 2023 offseason would be negligent if it didn’t benefit from capturing such a productive player so late.
Round 5 (via NO) – Byron Young, DT, Alabama
People constantly talk about the technique of three and its importance. That is true. However, one thing remains unavoidable. They can’t stop the race. You need defensive tackles that can do that too. Young made it his specialty in Alabama. He is tall, strong and difficult to move from his place. He may never develop as an inside pass thrower, but he will provide instant value in obvious running situations.
Round 5 (via BAL) – Ji’Ayir Brown, S, Penn State
The Bears have done pretty well the last two times they drafted safeties from Penn State (Adrian Amos and Jaquan Brisker). So why not go there a third time? Brown is on the shorter side but has established himself as an instinctive ballhawk with nine interceptions and three forced fumbles in two years. His inconsistent tackling and game issues with tight ends or bigger receivers are the big concerns.
Round 7 – Ivan Pace Jr., LB, Cincinnati
If Pace was two inches taller, he would likely be in the top 100 picks. Being 6’0 will knock him off many boards. It’s a shame because the guy is a vacuum when it comes to finding the ball. He has 306 tackles, 20 sacks, one interception and three forced fumbles in his college career. If the Bears can look past his average length, he may be someone playing his draft position.
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