Chicago Bears 2016 Free Agents - The Offense

24.

That's not just the name of a television series, but also the number of Chicago Bears players whose contracts are expiring after the 2015 season is over.

Let's take a look at the offensive players who are set to be Free Agents after this season. You can view the defensive version of this post HERE.

OFFENSE

- WR Alshon Jeffery

- WR Marc Mariani

- WR Josh Bellamy

- WR Deonte Thompson

Note: The Bears at very minimum will use the franchise tag on Alshon Jeffery, who is not only the best wide receiver on this team, but when he's healthy is among the best in the league. Before his most recent hamstring injury, they could have already made their minds up to give him a big payday.  And they still may.

Marc Mariani is a utility player who was inconsistently decent on special teams, but someone that Jay Cutler really seemed to like as a receiver. If the Bears WR corps is bolstered next season with the return of Kevin White and a healthy Alshon Jeffery, that kicks Eddie Royal inside to his natural slot position, and Mariani's chances of being re-signed could be tough.

- TE Zach Miller

- TE Robert Housler

Note: Miller made some big plays in 2015, but seeing him placed in Injured Reserve two of the previous seasons will weigh heavily into how much the Bears are willing to offer him to come back. Of course they also currently have Martellus Bennett under contract for one more season, but that situation is also a bit sticky.

- RB Matt Forte

- RB Jacquizz Rodgers

Note: Possibly the most interesting conversation piece for the Bears next season will be their group of running backs.  Matt Forte was having one of the best seasons of his career before he went down with an MCL injury and missed three weeks in the middle of the year.  Jeremy Langford is considered by many the heir-apparent to Forte's throne, but it's hard to say that the rookie will be ready to be a full-time starter in 2016. Also on the roster is Ka'Deem Carey, who was drafted in 2014.

- OL Nick Becton

- OL Vladimir Ducasse

- OL Patrick Omameh

- C Will Montgomery

Note: Of this bunch, only Montgomery should have seen the field for any significant amount of work, but unfortunately, sometimes a team has to work with what they have.  Montgomery will likely be re-signed if he is able to fully recovery from his broken left tibia suffered in October, but he will also be 33 years old in February. The Bears could keep either Ducasse or Omameh around next season as a backup Guard, and potentially Becton as a third string Tackle.