Chicago Bears: What Does the Offense Need?

The Chicago Bears’ offense was lackluster in 2015. As free agency and the draft approach, you can be sure that the Bears will be quite busy trying to improve their 21st ranked offense.

The Chicago Bears finished last season with a 6-10 record, dead last in the NFC North. While quarterback Jay Cutler had arguably his best season with Chicago in 2015 (3,659 yards, 21 TD passes, 92.3 rating), the offense as a whole did not, ranking 23rd in the league in points (20.9 points per game) and 21st in total yards (344.6 yards per game). The Bears only scored more than 30 points in a game twice, and were held to 20 points or fewer in eight games.

Last season’s offensive coordinator, Adam Gase, left in January to become the head coach of the Miami Dolphins. Looking to keep some continuity, the Bears elevated quarterbacks coach Dowell Loggains to new offensive coordinator. Loggains, 35, who was the Tennessee Titans’ offensive coordinator in 2013, will be the sixth coordinator Cutler has had since he joined the team in 2009.

DAVIE, FL – JANUARY 09: The Miami Dolphins announce Adam Gase as their new head coach on January 9, 2016 in Davie, Florida. (Photo by Ron Elkman/Sports Imagery/Getty Images) /

Cutler, ever the subject of scrutiny in Chicago, signed a massive seven-year, $126.6 million contract in 2014. While it is widely-regarded that he has not lived up to the deal, the contract does offer the Bears a way-out after this upcoming season. The way the contract was structured, the first three years were basically all guaranteed (for a total of $54 million), but the rest were not. Theoretically, the Bears could release Cutler after this season (if he performs poorly) and not face much of a cap-hit at all.

Oct 4, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) throws a pass against the Oakland Raiders during the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /

The Bears have struggled to find a competent backup quarterback ever since Josh McCown left after the 2013 season. Last season, the Bears’ backups were Jimmy Clausen (who was cut midseason) and David Fales. Luckily for Chicago, Cutler only missed one game in 2015 and the backups were mostly seen just standing on the sideling holding a clipboard.

However, Cutler has not played a full season since 2009, and the Bears would be really rolling the dice if they decided that Fales was ready to be the backup in 2016. Ideally, the Bears would bring in a veteran quarterback in free agency to compete with Fales, and using a third or fourth-round draft pick on a young quarterback they could develop wouldn’t be a bad idea, either.

Speaking of the draft, the Bears selected running back Jeremy Langford in the fourth-round of last year’s draft, and it looks like he’ll be the bell cow for the Bears this season. The Bears announced earlier this month that they are not going to resign 30-year old Matt Forte, ending his eight-year run with the team. When Forte missed a few games last season with a knee injury, however, Langford took over and didn’t miss a beat. He showed an excellent burst, good hands, and for a rookie running back, he was a surprisingly effective pass protector.

Nov 15, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; Chicago Bears running back Jeremy Langford (33) and tight end Zach Miller (86) wave to fans after Langford ran in for a six yard touchdown against the St. Louis Rams during the second half at the Edward Jones Dome. Chicago defeated St. Louis 37-13. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /

Langford has big shoes to fill with Forte leaving, but he won’t be completely alone trying to fill them. 2014 fourth-round pick Ka’Deem Carey had a prominent role in last year’s offense when Forte was hurt, and that figures to continue in 2016. Despite the impressive showing from both last season, the Bears should probably still look-into signing a veteran running back for insurance purposes.

Furthermore, the Bears need to make it a priority to resign wide receiver Alshon Jeffery. Jeffery, who missed seven games last season because of various soft tissue injuries, has proven that he can be a difference maker when healthy. The Bears must decide, however, if they want to sign him to a long-term deal or simply slap the franchise tag on him.

The Bears also have a decision to make at tight end. Fan-favorite Zach Miller is a free agent, and in 2015, he had a career year. A lot of that had to do with the fact that opening-day starter Martellus Bennett missed a good chunk of the year with a rib injury. Bennett, who is still under contract for 2016, wants a raise, and he isn’t shy about letting people know about it.

Bennett doesn’t seem like the type of player head coach John Fox wants around, and it wouldn’t be surprising if the Bears cut Bennett and use the cap-savings to bring back Miller. If they do this, though, the Bears better make sure they have a quality backup tight end, because Miller is very injury-prone.

Oct 18, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery (17) during the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /

If Jeffery (and either Miller or Bennett) returns, the Bears’ receiving corps is looking very promising for 2016. Last year’s first-round pick Kevin White, who missed all of last season with a shin injury, has an excellent combination of size and speed, and could be a perfect complement to Jeffery. Veteran Eddie Royal, who also missed several games last season because of injury, has a very good relationship with Cutler, and is an above-average slot receiver.

If young receivers like Marquess Wilson and Cameron Meredith can develop, the Bears (assuming they bring Jeffery back) don’t really need to address the wide receiver position (other than to pray for better health).

The same can’t be said, though, for the offensive line. Other than for maybe right tackle Kyle Long and left guard Matt Slauson, there are question marks all-over the line. Right guard was a turnstile for the Bears a year ago, and it appears that there is no one currently on the roster that could start there. At center, rookie Hroniss Grasu failed to make any progress as the year went on, and after watching him go-up against guys like Haloti Ngata and Gerald McCoy, it’s pretty clear that he needs to get a lot stronger.

Dec 20, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Chicago Bears offensive lineman Hroniss Grasu (55) gets ready to snap the ball in the second quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /

And in all honesty, I’m not sure what to make of left tackle Charles Leno, Jr. After struggling at right tackle during the preseason, there were a lot wondering if he would even make the opening-day roster. He did, and when an injury to Jermon Bushrod forced him to start at left tackle, he came in and actually did a very solid job for the rest of the season (13 starts). However, I do not know if this was a fluke (á la J’Marcus Webb), or if Leno is actually a guy the Bears can build around.

Dec 27, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Chicago Bears tackle Charles Leno (72) against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Regardless, bringing in a veteran tackle who could compete with Leno for the starting job, (or at the very least, improve the offensive line’s depth), is a must. The Bears must also find a starting-caliber right guard, and a competent backup center who could start if Grasu struggles. The line’s two anchors are Kyle Long and Matt Slauson, and the Bears have to hope they can stay healthy and, in Long’s case especially, continue to improve.

More nfl spin zone: Arizona Cardinals: Target Zach Miller in Free Agency?

The Bears have nearly $60 million in cap-space and nine draft picks, so you can expect a lot of moving-and-shaking from Halas Hall within the next couple of weeks.

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