Chicago Bears: Offseason needs, targets and possible moves for 2019
Positions that need attention
There are a few positions in which Bears players are up for free agency. Does Pace re-sign them or does he go another way?
This was a similar challenge he faced last year. He had to decide whether to match the Green Bay Packers’ offer to cornerback Kyle Fuller. He also had to decide if he wanted to re-sign cornerback Prince Amukamara. He decided to keep both and ended up with one of the top cornerback duos in the NFL. The two finished with 10 interceptions combined. What does he do this offseason?
Offensive tackle
Right tackle Bobby Massie will be a free agent. He improved this season under the tutelage of offensive line coach Harry Hiestand. He doesn’t pass the eye test for the fans, though. Many feel the Bears should walk away from Massey.
His stats aren’t bad, however. He gave up just one sack and 25 quarterback pressures in 2018, ranking 11th. Additionally, he committed only four penalties all season. The Bears can decide to have Massie continue to work with Hiestand and see if he improves even more.
Safety
As with Fuller and Amukamara, Adrian Amos and Eddie Jackson played very well together. Amos had the best season of his career, registering 73 tackles, nine passes defended, two interceptions, one fumble recovery and a sack. That may result in a big contract for him. Do the Bears pony up big bucks for him?
Cornerback
In addition to Fuller and Amukamara, Bryce Callahan did a good job at cornerback. He played the nickel back pretty well. Pace went with continuity at cornerback last offseason. Does he do it again this year? Pace can do it with Kevin Toliver, who, as a rookie, did a good job when he played this season.
Running Back
Jordan Howard struggled in this system for most of the season. He did, however, play well in the last five games of the regular season before becoming a second thought again in the Wild Card game. What do the Bears do with him in the offseason?
It appears as if head coach Matt Nagy just doesn’t trust Howard enough in the passing game. Howard is serviceable, but if more passes are thrown his way, he may struggle. Having a running back who can get good rushing yards and catch passes out of the backfield is important for Nagy’s system. He needs a Kareem Hunt kind of running back. Howard is more of a bruising kind of back who needs more carries throughout the game.
The Bears can try to trade Howard to pick up some draft picks. If other teams know that Howard is on the block, making a fair trade may be difficult. The Bears can cut him and not have any cap problem — they save $720,000 by doing that. If a team can’t claim him, they may pull the trigger on a deal.