FanPost

Fixing the Bears in one offseason

Okay, so here it goes. I have thought out a long and but fairly simple way that I believe the bears can be title contenders (or at least division contenders) by next year and going forward. It is a multi step process and I will lay out the steps in order of importance and give a reasonable explanation for each.

Step 1. Draft Myles Garrett at all costs

I don't care if we go 0-16 to get him. This guy is going to be an all-pro guaranteed. Scouts have raved about him since high school and he's drawing pass rush comparisons to Von Miller-all while being listed at a weight that is 25 pounds heavier and is presumably stronger (we will wind out at the combine). The combination of skill, size, and speed is something I've never seen before, and I've watched a lot of college ball. Having a pass rusher on the roster of this caliber would change our franchise and I personally believe he will be an all time great. If you don't believe me, go watch the tape. His explosion off the line makes Leonard Floyd look like a tortoise. Now players like Floyd have speed and explosion, but what makes Garrett (and players like Von) different is that he is able to rotate his hips and contort his body in a way that allows him to turn on a dime once he gets passed the blocker (whereas Floyd is more straight line fast and has to make up ground because he can't turn as sharply). What about a quarterback you might ask? Well, I'll get to that later, but for right now I believe getting Garrett would be way higher reward with lower risk in this draft class. Good quarterbacks can be found and coached out of any round (as we have seen this year with Dak, Jimmy G, Brissett, etc.) Franchise level pass rushers and once in a generation athletes usually can not.

2. Don't be cheap. Pay Alshon

I don't think much needs to be said about this. He's a top 5 receiver in the game and we can't afford to lose him. Regardless of how Kevin White turns out, Alshon is our best player right now and the only spark on our offense that scares opposing defenses.

3. Trade for Jimmy G

I propose a trade to the Patriots for Jimmy G. The trade would be as follows: Chicago 2017 second rounder, 2017 4th rounder, 2018 3rd rounder for Garrapalo. This may sound risky to some, but is it any riskier than potentially wasting a top 5 picks on a guy like Watson or Kizer-neither of whom have proven anything? They could both be pro bowlers sure, but at this point last year Jared Goff was looking like the next great thing and look how hard he seems to have busted once he got to the league. Look at how much the Rams are set back now because of that. Jimmy G is no Tom Brady, but he has proven in his games that he has the ability to understand a system well, has a great arm, great mobility, solid accuracy, and learned under the best qb in the league for several years until he was polished. We have 2 4th rounders this year so think of it as us drafting him in the 2nd round (and losing a measly 2018 3rd rounder). I can live with that tradeoff. If he is not available, then we should draft best qb available (someone like Chad kelly) in the second round.

4. Cut Jay Cutler

I have always been a Jay supporter. Always. But I believe it's time for a parting of ways. He may have a lot left in the tank, but I'd bet my life savings that he will never deliver us a championship. Just as the Bulls moved on from Derrick Rose, Cutler must also go for the best interests of both parties. Cutting him would free up somewhere around 13 mil in cap space, and that money should be used to pay for THE BEST corner back in free agency to start opposite of porter. I believe Trumane Johnson is available and I would gladly overpay to solidify that already promising group.

5. Cut Massie and pay the best OT on the market

We have some of the most cap space in the league next year. Massie was ranked very poorly on pass protection coming into the season and I was not a fan of the signing. Cut and don't be afraid to shell out big money for a young replacement.

6. Stick with the run game that we have

I haven't given up on Langford and I think Howard was a steal. Let the season play out and the O line get chemistry before we truly judge these backs. Don't draft another RB. Our WR depth is also very solid with Wilson, Meredith, Bellamy, etc so no change needed.

7. Draft smart and continue to get good value signings

Draft should look something like this: 1. Garrett 2.Traded 3. OT 4.DL 5. CB 6. OT/OG 7. LB....I think that the back half of this draft should be spent finding depth and maybe the occasional steal if there is one. We should have most of our starters set if we followed all of my previous steps and it should be a very good talent roster. Pace seems competent finding value in UDFAs and signing and resigning players to bargain contracts. Resign a few of those secondary players and players like Houston to team friendly short term deals and I think we are set for the next few years.

You might be saying that all this change is unrealistic for one offseason and if so let me challenge you with this: one year ago the Eagles had just freshly acquired Sam Bradford after going 10-6 with Nick Foles just the year before. Now they are in a completely different situation and Bradford is on the damn Vikings of all teams. Trades and mini roster and coaching revamps happen all the time. I just think that as Bears fans we have gotten used to a culture of pessimism that clouds our vision from seeing our team making any changes for the good. I hope you leave comments and assess my post accordingly as I am very willing to defend my post! Oh and one more thing I forgot to put in: fire Loggains. I don't think we need a description for that one.

This Fanpost was written by a Windy City Gridiron member and does not necessarily reflect the ideas or opinions of its staff or community.