The NFL Draft for 2024 passed by quickly. Fans of the Chicago Bears patiently awaited months throughout what many believed would be a process that may change the team forever. At least on paper, the results appear encouraging, but we still have to wait and see how everything turns out in practice.
Ryan Poles, the general manager, has worked hard over the last three offseasons to lay the groundwork for a team that he believes will be able to succeed in the long run. There are still some unanswered questions, though. Although there have been a plenty of resources throughout the last two offseasons, it takes time to restore the entire system when a regime destroys it.
The majority of the acquisition period is now behind us, and the Bears will begin their offseason program in earnest before taking a six-week break until training camp. Before the regular season begins in September, the team’s front staff will have a few weeks to review the players’ development and determine what needs to be done. Chicago’s financial resources shouldn’t be a problem, but if they want to make a lot more moves, they’ll need to increase the cap flexibility. It’s always better to project the roster before the season begins in order to facilitate that procedure. We’ll do precisely that with this much too early draft pick of the Bears’ anticipated 53-man roster.
It’s going to be an interesting summer in Lake Forest, so be sure to check back with the Bear Report for comprehensive coverage when rookie minicamp gets underway and the players’ organized team activities begin.
Not a Bear Report VIP subscriber? Join up now to gain access to the best website covering the Chicago Bears and all publisher Zack Pearson and the whole Bear Report crew have to offer on all things Chicago Bears!
Another year, another turnover at the quarterback position in Chicago. But things feel different this time. The most gifted arm to ever play for the Bears is Caleb Williams. We have never seen the No. 1 overall pick status at this position before. Additionally, it doesn’t seem like this coaching staff is holding back. Unless he takes a significant step back during camp, Tyson Bagent will be the starting backup. It will be the rookie out of the gate. How many quarterbacks they maintain on the roster and whether they sign another seasoned quarterback will be the key questions in this situation. Two feels like the ideal amount for the time being.
Assuming nothing unexpected happens, the group of running backs seems to be mostly decided. The most important question, if any, is who will be RB2. I don’t think Blasingame will be a lock for this lineup at fullback. Although Shane Waldron, the new offensive coordinator, did not carry a fullback in Seattle, a lot of it will rely on his intentions. Chicago would save the full $1.6 million in cap space if they decide to cut Blasingame.
The first two names on this list are certainties. Next on the depth chart is the last position. Although there isn’t much competition in the clubhouse right now, Carlson would be the leader there.
Undrafted free agent The only other name currently on the roster is Brendan Bates. A reunion with veteran blocking tight end Marcedes Lewis is not out of the question. He provides the essential blocking value and is reasonably priced. In addition, he would be a valuable experienced figure for a rookie quarterback to have in the locker room.
This positional group has undergone an incredible transformation in just two short years. Moore was the Bears’ prize acquisition in their trade down with the Carolina Panthers last season. That was prior to them selecting first overall this year. Allen, who is 32 years old, is still very productive and offers a useful experienced presence.
Odunze and Williams should be able to play together for the next eight to ten years as they were a match made in heaven for this offensive. There is a little more ambiguity behind the top three names. Chicago is hoping that Scott improves significantly in Year 2. Given that the return game will now be more important due to the new kickoff rules, Jones Jr. should be worth more. Pettis appears to be the favorite to make the roster even if the Bears decide to go with just five receivers.
As the offseason has progressed, this is the one group that has received very little attention.
Without a doubt, Poles has assembled one of the league’s best pass-catching teams to surround his rookie quarterback. Having said that, if the offensive line is to advance in 2024 and put Williams in the best possible position to succeed, then it must. Although they should have been an improvement, their center moves were lackluster. With a $3.199M cap cost for 2024, I don’t see Larry Borom making the final roster because the depth has increased. Their depth appears to have that, which has been emphasized a lot: versatility. For this unit to succeed, health will be crucial, particularly on the inside.
The defensive line was one position I thought the Bears could strengthen more. They might ultimately have to rely on Yannick Ngakoue to step down and recover, but even in that case, this team isn’t that strong now. The only thing preventing this unit from being a significant issue is sweat. For this reason, health will be critical to this defense. Walker and Sweat make a good starting combination in a vacuum. The more important question is how deep they are. Although Booker was a valuable addition in the fifth round, he is still a developing player and shouldn’t be counted on to contribute significantly.
Currently, Martin is a DE4, but if Ngakoue were to sign again, Martin would be removed from the team. In any case, I anticipate adding a veteran before the preseason officially begins.
Similar to defensive end, another position where I could see the Bears bringing in a seasoned free agent is defensive tackle. The market is exceedingly thin, which is currently the largest concern. Regarding post-draft veteran cuts, we’ll have to wait and see how things work out over the next three weeks, but 38-year-old Calais Campbell is the only real improvement. The Bears might not want to go in that direction. For now, they’ll stick with Cowart and a promising undrafted free agent, along with their top three from the previous season.
This situation needs more depth, but before acting, the front office might hold out and watch how things develop.
This is another position on the depth chart where not much has changed from the previous campaign. The Top 4 names remain the same, and Ogbongbemiga surpasses Dylan Cole to take the lead on special teams. Micah Baskerville would have an advantage if the Bears were to keep six guys at the position, but for the time being, I’ll stick with my prediction of five players for two full-time places. Above all, it will be interesting to watch if Sewell, who becomes a restricted free agency in 2025, has a chance to play more this season with Sanborn.
The most significant news this team produced throughout the summer was Johnson agreeing to a four-year contract before to the major free agency wave. For good reason, everything else has remained essentially unchanged. Youth and a lofty ceiling are two advantages this group enjoys. How far this team can go will depend on Stevenson’s Year 2 leap, but it shouldn’t come as a surprise if, by the end of 2024, they are recognized as one of the top football teams in the league. There’s hardly much to sort through, until you go all the way to the bottom of the depth chart.
Bears supporters will be witnessing a starting safety group without seasoned player Eddie Jackson for the first time since 2017.
In the end, his performance did not match the amount he was due in 2024. The Bears quickly found Byard to be his successor after releasing the former Alabama player. The ex-Titan and Eagle will try to show that 2023 was an anomaly. Overall, this is still a high caliber bunch; more significantly, though, the depth has improved significantly from a year ago. Though I’m not sure if they’ll choose to go with five at the position, that’s my current projection. There’s a lot of rivalry for depth.Barring an injury, Chicago will have its second new punter in three years when the draft shakes things up.
With the recent signing of a new four-year contract, Santos may be committed to Chicago through the 2027 season. In frigid climates, leg strength is still a concern, but his accuracy and dependability are remarkably underestimated. Taylor was the only fourth-round selection made by the team, and he was selected over players with greater value at the offensive and defensive lines. It shouldn’t be a battle there, given how good he was at Iowa and how much Poles admire the rookie. At last, Scales is back in Chicago for his ninth season. If he doesn’t suddenly resign, I think he’ll stay for as long as he wants.
Luke Lachey, the tight end for Iowa, returning was one of the biggest offseason victories.
Luke Lachey, the tight end for Iowa, returning was one of the biggest offseason victories. The top 6-foot-6 athlete will be a key component of Tim Lester’s new offensive scheme.
Iowa City, Iowa Luke Lachey, the tight end for Iowa, returning was one of the biggest offseason victories. The top 6-foot-6 athlete will be a key component of Tim Lester’s new offensive scheme. Last season, Lachey had a great deal of promise. In just two and a half games, he had ten receptions for 131 yards before breaking his ankle. After the game, he would have surgery and miss the rest of the season.
The native of Ohio had the opportunity to play in the NFL.
Lachey didn’t have a lot of film, but his agility, adaptability, and potential were clear. Lachey chose to play another season alongside his teammates because of Name, Image, and Likeness as well as Iowan culture.
For a very long time, Lachey has been praised for his ability to lead, be physically fit, be open to learning, and make plays all around the field. Without a doubt, Iowa was superior when he was playing. Lachey shown this spring that he is fully recovered and ready to return to the field and play significant snaps.
“I haven’t played in a very long time,” Lachey remarked.
“Just getting out there and playing low and fast and physical — that’s what Coach (Abdul) Hodge wants in a tight end, and so that’s what I’m just trying to kind of gain back as I go.”
Lester’s offense will use tight ends extensively while also incorporating aggression, mobility, and adaptability. With his versatility, Lachey can play as an out-wide tight end or line up in the trenches and put up a huge block. This spring, Lester had the opportunity to witness what a fit Lachey is capable of. “I have heard Luke mentioned a lot. Due to his recuperation from an injury and other circumstances, Luke did not take any early action.
chuge plays and elevates and catches the ball, and I think the first one was last week, and he elevated, and I was like, that’s what they’ve been talking about.”
The top 10 returning tight ends in college football were identified by Pro Football Focus. Lachey was ranked No. 10 when he checked in, placing him third in the Big Ten Conference.
“Lachey is the next-in-line to the Iowa tight end dynasty, following past greats like George Kittle, T.J. Hockenson, Noah Fant and Sam LaPorta,” stated PFF.
“In 2022, Lachey was ranked 12th among Power Five tight ends with a 77.7 PFF receiving grade, but he was behind LaPorta on the depth chart. He was ranked 14th with 22 receptions that resulted in a first down or score. Based on PFF’s wins above average measure, the then-redshirt sophomore tight end finished the season in the top 20 most valuable tight ends in the country.”
Even though spring football is over, Lachey isn’t going to let up on his excitement anytime soon. He’s fired up to take the field once more in front of a packed Kinnick stadium.
“I was impatient,” Lachey remarked. At one point, I was counting down the days.
I couldn’t wait for spring break to end so I could go back outside and resume playing football.”
