Taking Inventory for Needy Bears

With the Bears about to embark upon a major step toward altering their roster at the NFL scouting combine, it's time to take inventory.

Earlier in February, the website Pro Football Focus listed each team's offseason needs and for the Bears it simply said "everything."

They didn't miss the mark.

If the Bears had to play a game today, they'd be in an awful lot of trouble except in the secondary. Some players on the roster couldn't play because they're healing from injuries, but at least at most secondary positions they have signed contracts from participants. They appear to have a lot of depth at those positions because they had to use so many players that are under contract last year during a rash of injuries.

At other roster spots, there are only uniforms. There are 49 players signed and at many positions they are woefully understaffed with only waiver wire types or backups.

This is the result of salary cap reductions last season, largely accomplished by bringing in free agents on one-year contracts.

Some of the positions most widely discussed as need or concern areas are spots where they at least have warm bodies available, such as offensive line, wide receiver and quarterback. It's not the case at other spots.

For instance, they have only three legitimate off-ball linebackers on the roster: Jack Sanborn, DeMarquis Gates and Sterling Weatherford. Only Sanborn has started a game -- and then just six of them. Gates has been on an NFL field to play defense for two plays and Weatherford hasn't. They have two other players listed as linebackers, Kuony Deng and Terrell Lewis. But these are 3-4 outside linebackers they signed off the street who are defensive ends in their current defensive scheme. They are not lining up in a 4-3 to play Will, Mike or Sam linebacker positions.

So with 41 players to sign before training camp begins, GM Ryan Poles will be signing off on a lot of player contracts.

Quantity is not quality. If the Bears are to compete in the NFC North, they'll need to bring in starting and backup help even at spots where they have sufficient numbers.

Here are the greatest needs ranked heading into the NFL combine for a team that needs everything.

1. Defensive Tackle

Justin Jones is it. There are only two real tackles on the roster, and Donovan Jeter's experience includes 18 NFL plays with Washington last year. Jalyn Holmes can line up as a three technique and has 10 games of NFL starting experience, but it was as an end. Signing two free agents and drafting two players wouldn't be out of the question.

2. Defensive End

Both Trevis Gipson and Dominique Robinson started throughout the second half of last season and Gipson actually ranked among ESPN's top 10 at his position for run play win rate besides leading all ends with three sacks. But they badly need two quality defensive ends who combine rush and run-stopping skills in order to compete. The other players at the position besides Robinson and Gipson would be very fortunate to even make the practice squad.

3. Linebacker

There was plenty to like with Sanborn's rookie year before his season ended after six starts due to an ankle injury. However, one of the most desired traits for linebackers in this scheme is speed and Sanborn definitely is lacking in this area. He makes up for some of it with instinct and hitting ability, but they need experienced, off-ball linebackers to both fill out the roster and provide a higher quality of play. Two or three starters out of this draft and/or free agency wouldn't be out of the question.

4. Running Back

This ranks high only because of the lack of signed players at the position, but they could easily solve it simply by getting David Montgomery a new contract. It's rarely talked about as a need, partly because the Bears led the NFL in rushing. However, they have to be watching the running backs in the draft closely and also think about signing one of the many free agents available if they aren't bringing back their starter from the last four seasons. Khalil Herbert is capable of being a starter but his all-purpose skills, like pass blocking and his hands, are not close to Montgomery's.

5. Wide Receiver

Their need is at least one quality threat. Of course they'll need others to fill out the roster but the one dependable go-to type is lacking until they know for sure Chase Claypool can be it. Even then, they'd need one more. New England free agent Jakobi Meyer is mentioned often for the Bears in free agency, and there's no doubt he fits their position requirements as a sure-handed big receiver capable of blocking, who can play inside and outside. He had just two dropped passes last year. PFF says he lined up two-thirds of the time in the slot during his career and that is where the Bears need help most if they have determined Claypool is a starting X-receiver and Darnell Mooney a Z-receiver. Does a team that already traded a second-round pick for a possible starting receiver also sign a premier free agent at the position?

6. Tackle

The starting right tackle position is a question, although there certainly are enough signed candidates for it right now. Whether any are legitimate NFL starters is the question. Larry Borom has actually played four line positions in games and seems like a candidate to back up at left tackle and right tackle. Alex Leatherwood has played both tackles in the past but not necessarily well and not in Chicago. When a position concerns keeping Fields healthy like tackle does, its level of importance is elevated.

7. Cornerback

The need is for quality, not necessarily quantity. They need one good starting cornerback. It could be either the slot or outside. Kyler Gordon's versatility lets the market place choose which. The high cost of quality cornerbacks in free agency makes the draft a more likely priority for someone to challenge or replace Kindle Vildor. It's difficult to break in a rookie cornerback, especially in the slot. The Bears found this out with Gordon, who appeared at his best playing outside. A draft suggestion: DJ Turner of Michigan is a small, extremely fast cornerback who projects as a slot in the NFL and might be had in Rounds 3 or 4.

8. Guard

Replacing Teven Jenkins would be unnecessary. The reason they would do it with Cody Whitehair would be cost, because his $14.1 million is their second-biggest cap hit. It's not like he has struggled at his position and his departure doesn't save a tremendous amount of money—$9.9 million but $4.2 million dead cap eaten if cut after June 1 per Overthecap.com. Whitehair also gives them versatility as a former Pro Bowl center. They drafted Ja'Tyre Carter last year on Day 3 but another mid-round pick to learn the position behind the current starters would suffice.

9. Center

Definitely a quality acquisition in free agency would be the move because they have numerous signed options for starter. Sam Mustipher is a restricted free agent and could easily be brought back, as well. Lucas Patrick is signed. They never got to see injured Doug Kramer after a promising start in his first rookie camp. There are a number of options in free agency and the draft from Cleveland starter Ethan Pocic to Minnesota Golden Gophers draft pick John Michael Schmitz.

10. Tight End

Cole Kmet is going to be awful lonely if the practice squad types they had last year don't step up. Both Ryan Griffin and Trevon Wesco are free agents and neither had an impact as a receiver last year. Wesco's strength is supposed to be blocking, and perhaps they go back to him with an offer. Either way, they need reliable help. Kmet has the receiving end of it down now. Complementary types for using 12- and 13-personnel packages are needed and drafting one would be an option but signing one in free agency who costs a lot is likely a lower priority. However, Packers free agent tight end Robert Tonyan might not be a bad addition as a player Spotrac.com says is worth $5 million a year, could back up Kmet, perform any number of duties and also knows Luke Getsy's offense.

11. Safety

Only a depth need, but it would be good to bring back DeAndre Houston-Carson as he supplies veteran experience both on defense and on special teams. Elijah Hicks didn't impress in his coverage when he played late last season so perhaps they look to this position for depth in the draft.

12. Quarterback

Trevor Siemian is under contract but wasn't particularly effective when he played last year. If an experienced, inexpensive free agent option is available, it should be examined. There is no need to worry about the possible starting quarterbacks in the draft. It doesn't impact the Bears with Justin Fields on their roster regardless of the silly comments being made about trading him.

13. What Else?

A long snapper. Patrick Scales is 35 years old and a free agent.

A fullback. Khari Blasingame blocked well but was on the field for less than 20% of the offensive plays (174). Bringing him back couldn't cost that much. Do they even need a fullback for that many plays or would a tight end/H-back type be sufficient?

A punt returner. The draft might be able to supply one. Dante Pettis is a free agent and only so-so as their returner last year. If Velus Jones Jr. could master catching punts, then he could be a deadly option. That's a big if. Fielding kicks is easier and he seems to have this down now. Perhaps more work in the offseason on punts can help him.

Bears Under Contract in 2023

QB: (2) Justin Fields, Trevor Siemian

RB: (2) Trestan Ebner, Khalil Herbert

WR: (7) Joe Reed, Nsimba Webster, Daurice Fountain, Velus Jones Jr., Equanimeous St. Brown, Chase Claypool, Darnell Mooney

C: (2) Lucas Patrick, Doug Kramer

G: (4) Ja'Tyre Carter, Dieter Eiselen, Cody Whitehair, Teven Jenkins

T: (4) Braxton Jones, Larry Borom, Alex Leatherwood, Kellen Diesch

TE: (3) Cole Kmet, Jake Tonges, Chase Allen

Specialists: (2) Cairo Santos (K), Trenton Gill (P)

DT: (2) Justin Jones, Donovan Jeter

DE: (5) Dominique Robinson, Trevis Gipson, Gerri Green, Terrell Lewis, Kuony Deng, Jalyn Holmes

LB: (3) Jack Sanborn, DeMarquis Gates, Sterling Weatherford

CB: (7) Jaylon Johnson, Kyler Gordon, Kindle Vildor, Michael Ojemudia, Harrison Hand, Greg Stroman, Jaylon Jones

S: (5) Eddie Jackson, Jaquan Brisker, Elijah Hicks, A.J. Thomas, Adrian Colbert

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