Unbelievably, the Chicago Bears improved from 3-14 to 7-10 in 2023 over the previous season. With two top-10 picks in the April NFL Draft and a sizable amount of contract flexibility at their disposal, the team is well-positioned to make significant progress this summer.
In light of that, the Bears ought to make the following trade, cut, and signing.
TRANSACTION: Justin Fields, quarterback
Though the organization possesses the top choice in the April NFL Draft, they haven’t invested enough in the previous first-round pick despite his encouraging flashes of talent.
Fields is ranked 24th in completion % (60.3), 23rd in passing yards (6,674), 22nd in passing touchdowns (40), and has thrown the seventh-most interceptions (30) out of the 25 quarterbacks who have started at least 30 games since their rookie year in 2021. Moreover, Fields has the fewest wins (10–28), while Trevor Lawrence of the Jacksonville Jaguars has the most defeats (30).
The Bears should move on from Fields because, after three seasons, the jury is still out. In addition to gaining a quarterback on a rookie contract, the organization acquired a respectable haul of assets in return for Fields. Second and fourth-round picks in 2024 might be a reasonable compensation, according to ESPN. Trading Fields would save $3.2 million in cap expenses in the interim.
Fields is a quarterback in the league that can, at minimum, start games and has the potential to become a superstar. But if you’re the Bears, the potential to enhance the position with the first choice is too good to miss.
CUT: Homer Travis
After dismissing offensive lineman Cody Whitehair and safety Eddie Jackson, the Bears have already freed approximately $21.8 million in salary space. Looking at the rest of the team’s roster, Homer is undoubtedly the next guy who should be cut.
Although Homer’s 2024 salary of $1.5 million won’t break the bank, the Bears are overpaying for his contributions.
The 25-year-old did not play a significant role in the Bears’ offense after signing a two-year, $4 million contract with them last offseason. Homer was mostly a special team player with the Seattle Seahawks before leaving for Chicago, and this role persisted in his new city. Homer started just six offensive plays in 2023, but he was involved in 61 percent of the team’s special teams snaps.
Homer is a valuable five-year veteran, but the Bears should have little trouble finding a younger, more cost-effective successor for him in free agency or the draft.
The Bears would save $1.8 million in cap space if Homer were cut.
SIGNING: Mike Evans, wide receiver
With the acquisition of D.J. Moore in the previous offseason, the Bears significantly improved their wide receiver room. But with tight end Cole Kmet serving as the team’s second best offensive option, an experienced quarterback would be a huge asset to either Fields or a rookie QB. Evans is the best person for this.
No offensive player has more receiving yards (11,680) since entering the league in 2014 than Evans, and only Davante Adams of the Las Vegas Raiders has more touchdown receptions (95). He is still performing at a high level at the age of thirty. During his 17 games with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2023, Evans recorded 79 receptions for 1,255 yards, which led the NFL in touchdowns.
Above all, there’s a growing chance that Evans will be available as time goes on. The four-time Pro Bowler had until the end of the team-imposed deadline to agree to a contract extension. Jordan Schultz, an insider, said at the same time that Evans is likely to become a free agency “barring an unexpected change in discussions.”
Only three clubs have more cap room than the Bears this summer, according to Spotrac. Evans should fit in, even though they won’t use it all on free agents.
