So here we go. This is my ideal and somewhat realistic 2017 offseason.
CHANGES TO STAFF / ROSTER
Fire Fox, ST Coordinator, and Offensive staff. (Would be great to keep Stan Drayton, hopefully new HC cna convince him to stay)
Retain Fangio and Defensive staff if possible - If not, we need to find another 3-4 D Coordinator
Hire Josh McDaniels as Head Coach and Play-caller - You want someone who can coach X's and O's and put together a great offensive game plan? He is your guy. He flamed out in Denver, but he learned a lot and it really humbled him. Here is a great article about it - http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2666428-the-redemption-of-josh-mcdaniels-failure-taught-pats-oc-how-to-pick-his-spots
Cut / Trade Cutler - Pretty sure this was obvious when you read "McDaniels"... Cutler is not ALWAYS the reason the Bears lose games, but he does cost the Bears some games and a lot of his positive stats have come in the 3rd and 4th quarters of games when the Bears are significantly behind due to the offense's lack of production, 3 and outs, penalties, or turnovers in the first half.
Let Alshon walk - I love Alshon as a player. I even have a signed Alshon Jeffrey Chicago Bears full-size helmet that I treasure...but his limited availability and high price tag are deterrents.
Cut Lamar Houston
FREE AGENCY
Sign:
Markus Wheaton (WR) - Would be great to spend big money on Terrelle Pryor, but I think CLE keeps him and it would be tough to have 2 WRs that need to develop. Wheaton is a solid contributor that would be a great #4 or #5 WR.
Jack Doyle (TE) - Vance McDonald would be another option to pair with Miller
Ryan Schraeder (RT) - Very good RT
Calais Campbell (DE) - Leadership and toughness, even though he will be over 30
Kayvon Webster (CB) - The guess is Denver lets him walk since they have Chris Harris and Talib making big money and will need to re-sign Roby soon. Webster is a #2 corner on most teams.
Darian Stewart (FS) - Makes plays but can still lay the lumber. Would love to have Eric Berry here, but I think KC locks him up. Both are 28-29 next season.
DRAFT
Trade 1st Rd Pick for Jimmy Garoppolo - I think NE would make this trade since the Bears will have a high draft pick. They will probably end up taking someone like Jabril Peppers and making him a Hall of Famer or trading the 1st round pick for 15 other lower picks over the next 5 years. Whatever. In the limited action he has seen, he seems like a better QB than Watson/ Kizer / Trubisky / Kaaya. If you are using the 1st round pick on a QB no matter what, why not get one with experience in the NFL in a great offensive system that has been coached well?
2nd Rd - Corey Davis - WR - W Mich - Polished route runner, good speed, great hands, almost 6'3". Steps in to #2 WR role.
3rd Rd - Pat Mahomes - QB - Texas Tech - Here is your developmental QB behind Garoppolo. Let him learn. He has the tools.
4th Rd - Daniel Carlson - K - Auburn - Best Kicker in the country. Pretty big leg, very accurate, clutch.
4th Rd - OLB / DE with high upside that needs development - I truly don't know this deep in the draft who would fit this description.
5th Rd- OLB / DE with high upside that needs development - I truly don't know this deep in the draft who would fit this description.
7th Rd - Cameron Johnston - P - Ohio State - Punter with a huge leg. Best Punter in the country. "Make Special Teams Great Again."
53 MAN ROSTER
QB - Garoppolo / Mahomes / Shaw
RB - Howard / Carey / Langford
FB - Lasike
WR - White / Wheaton
WR - Davis / Meredith
Slot - Royal / Braverman
TE - Miller / Doyle / Braunecker
LT - Leno / Adams
LG - Sitton
C - Whitehair / Grassu
RD - Long / Kush
RT - Schraeder / Massie
DE - Campbell / Bullard
NT - Goldman / Sutton
DE - Hicks / CornWash / Rookie
OLB - Floyd / Young
ILB - Trevathan / Timu
ILB - Freeman / Kwiatkoski
OLB - McPhee / Rookie
CB - Porter / Fuller
CB - Webster / Hall
Nickel - Callahan / LeBlanc
FS - Stewart / Jones-Quartey / Houston-Carson
SS - Amos / Bush
K - Carlson
P - Johnston