2014 Season
Chicago was an offseason darling last season, bringing in Jared Allen, Lamarr Houston and more. Under Marc Trestman, Chicago's offense was expected to reach new heights with Jay Cutler, Matt Forte, Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery.
After a 2-1 start to the season, the Bears went on to finish 5-11 including blowout losses to the Green Bay Packers twice, New England Patriots and Dallas Cowboys. While there were certainly injuries along the way, Chicago's 2014 season showed that Cutler will never take that step forward into top-10 status and you can't ignore your secondary if you want to contend.
2015 Free Agents
Lance Briggs, Linebacker: Briggs has spent all 12 seasons serving in the heart of Chicago's defense. But after playing in a combined 17 games over the last two seasons thanks to a worn down body, Briggs market will be quiet. At 34 he has a little run-stuffing ability left in him, but you know what you're getting from an aged linebacker.
Charles Tillman, Cornerback: Another lifetime Bears' defender, Tillman has run into unfortunate luck the past two seasons, tearing his triceps in consecutive seasons. The 33-year-old hits the open market once again, potentially facing an even quieter mark than Briggs. While Tillman still wants to play, retirement can't be ruled out.
Chris Conte, Safety: Chicago's situation at safety is atrocious. While Conte's run as a starter went poorly, he has shown that he can provide depth at the position. Chicago will look to improve its secondary this offseason and could ideally bring Conte back for depth.
D.J. Williams, Linebacker: As Chicago makes the switch to a 3-4 defense under defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, changes to the personnel are expected. There is needed change at linebacker and after failing to stay healthy for a full season once again, the 33-year-old linebacker won't receive a phone call from Chicago.
Stephen Paea, Defensive Tackle: While Chicago is switching to a 3-4, it will be hard to let Paea go without having a plan in place. He's not the ideal nose tackle, but Fangio has a knack for moving defensive lineman around and finding ways to maximize talent. If Chicago is unable to bring Paea back, he will draw plenty of attention across the NFL.
Brian De La Puente, Center: De La Puente was one of many disappointing offseason additions made by Chicago last year. He made a handful of starts at left guard, but even that went poorly before he was placed on injured reserve. He should find another one-year contract but is an "emergency" starter on the offensive line.
2015 Cap Room
$26 Million
-Could free up $7.7 million by releasing Brandon Marshall before June 1.
Five-Biggest Need Areas
Safety: News alert to the Bears, you need a strong secondary if you want to have any shot at knocking the Packers off their NFC North throne. Chicago's secondary was abysmal last season and it all starts at safety. John Fox is a fresh face for this organization and needs to make this an immediate priority. Unfortunately, the 2015 draft class is not stocked with first-round safeties. If Fox can't find one he loves, he should find a nice value safety in round two or three.
Linebacker: As Chicago makes the 3-4 transition, one of they key components Fangio will try and mirror from his time with the 49ers is putting importance on the inside linebackers. While he won't be able to match the All-Pro talent of Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman, he has an eye for finding talent. He could want someone line Denzel Perryman or Eric Kendricks early in Round 2. Kendricks has some similarities to another 49ers inside linebacker, Chris Borland, and would provide an excellent boost to Chicago's defense.
Edge Rusher: Another priority for getting pressure on quarterbacks like Aaron Rodgers and winning games is putting pressure on the quarterback. While the safety class may not be strong this year, the Bears will find plenty of options with edge rushers. There will be plenty of options, including with the seventh overall pick where Randy Gregory or Dante Fowler could land.
Cornerback: As Tillman walks off into the unknown as a free agent and Tim Jennings now in his early 30's, the Bears transition to a younger era at cornerback must continue. Kyle Fuller was an excellent first-round pick last season and will blossom into Chicago's top corner, but they need more. The Bears must take some risks in this draft in order to get talent and that could mean taking a chance on Marcus Peters if they trade back from seven.
Quarterback: Cutting Cutler isn't a realistic option and unless the Bears can find a suitor willing to take on his contract for an infuriatingly inconsistent, problematic quarterback, they are stuck with him. There's no one on Chicago's roster that can challenge him for the job and unless the Bears move up or somehow have Marcus Mariota or Jameis Winston fall into their laps, the job remains with Cutler. For Chicago, they need to find a quarterback like Brett Hundley or Brandon Bridge for Adam Gase to develop. It may not pay off immediately, but it will provide them a quarterback for the future.
Potential Offseason Breakout Star
Marquess Wilson, Wide Receiver:
Given Chicago's situation, it's hard to find another real standout player who could have a breakout season besides Wilson. The 22-year-old receiver missed the first nine games of the season with a broken collarbone, an injury he suffered in the preseason. While he returned for the final stretch and hauled in 17 passes, this season was a missed opportunity.
Completely healthy heading into the offseason, Wilson will have plenty of time to prepare and come into next year's camp as a lock for the third-receiver spot, with the chance to even be Chicago's No.2 receiver if Marshall is released. While the quarterback situation is a little murky, Wilson has the talent to be a very good No.2 receiver and is worth monitoring this offseason.
2015 NFL Draft Selections
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