NFL
By: Greg Rector
I wrote about the Chicago Bears running the NFL off-season I had no idea who they would sign in free agency or whom they would draft.
https://twitter.com/stevewh67/status/1635414370137300993?s=20
The Chicago Bears brought 34 new players between free agency and the draft. 34 is a meaningful number for all Bears fans as that was Walter Payton’s number.
Chicago Bears Free Agents
In addition to the three big-named free agents, the Bears added DE DeMarcus Walker to a three-year deal. They also added former Raiders DT Andrew Billings at DT. As well the Bears signed Dylan Cole as a backup linebacker and special teams’ player.
The other areas addressed in free agency were the running backs after David Montgomery left for Detroit. They signed D’Onta Foreman who was with the Carolina Panthers and from Seattle to backup both Foreman and Khalil Herbert they added Travis Homer who will be a threat in the passing game.
Robert Tonyan at tight end is also staying in the NFC North after leaving the hated Green Bay Packers. Tonyan’s best season with the Packers was with the Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Luke Getsy in 2020 and he joins Cole Kmet.
These signings mean Justin Fields has several new targets and that means plenty for his potential growth as a quarterback. Fields is being looked at as the next Jalen Hurts according to many so-called experts. You all know I despise the name-association game that so many people attach to players. I believe Justin Fields will have better targets with these signings though.
The Draft
As I wrote back in January the Bears indeed dealt away their number one overall draft pick to the Carolina Panthers. They went out and drafted OT Darnell Wright from the Tennessee Volunteers. The big man is already locked in as the right tackle. This gives the Chicago Bears a new right side as they also signed Nate Davis as their new right guard in free agency.
Along with Wright, they added WR DJ Moore as a part of the trade with the Carolina Panthers.
Notable Bears preseason performances today:
Justin Fields
3/3 | 129 yards | 2 TDsKhalil Herbert:
5 touches | 71 yards | 1 TDDJ Moore:
62-yard TD receptionpic.twitter.com/6mMwioyW0L— The FFPC (@FFPC) August 13, 2023
Now folks can criticize the fact that Justin Fields might have only thrown the ball for 10 yards in his lone pre-season appearance. However, when you have a receiver and a running back with the ability to break those plays open like they did that’s a huge positive.
The rest of the Chicago Bears draft picks included Tyrique Stevenson who is expected to be the starting right corner for the Bears. Along with Gervon Dexter Sr and Zacch Pickens who should both be backup players on the Bears defensive front.
At linebacker, the Chicago Bears drafted Noah Sewell out of Oregon and also drafted Terrell Smith another cornerback out of Minnesota.
The other draftee who is getting plenty of attention with Bears fans has been Roschon Johnson the former Texas running back who has looked really good so far. Another example of why scouting matters is Johnson of course was behind Bijan Robinson for the Longhorns last season. Johnson currently sits third on the running back depth chart for the Bears.
My Outlook
I really like the additions Ryan Poles and Matt Eberflus made for the Chicago Bears this off-season was indeed run by the Bears nicely. Unlike so many other recent off-seasons. With a new stadium expected to be announced in the next 12 months and having so many new players in town, I am not calling for the Chicago Bears to win the NFC North. I am saying the 2023 Chicago Bears have made enough changes to become a team to be concerned with.
Week one has the Chicago Bears at home facing the Green Bay Packers and you know Bears fans want to see an end to being punished by Aaron Rodgers and reclaim their status as the “Monsters of the Midway.” That week one game will be a must-see game.
