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Bears’ nine-step offseason plan: Easy QB decision, key free agents finish rebuild originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
General manager Ryan Poles’ rebuild is set to enter its next phase in 2024, but critical moves over the next month will determine what the expectations should be in Year 3 for this regime.
The quarterback decision headlines the offseason, but the Bears have many boxes to check to go from a 7-10 team to a legitimate playoff and NFC North contender.
Poles has turned the roster over and built a solid foundation around star wide receiver DJ Moore, edge rusher Montez Sweat, linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, tight end Cole Kmet, and cornerback Jaylon Johnson.
It’s imperative that the Bears stack talent on talent this offseason, including filling key holes that held them back in 2023.
Here’s a nine-step plan for Poles and the Bears to follow this offseason to go from rebuilding darling to postseason threat:
1. Tag Jaylon Johnson and try to extend
The first box for the Bears to check is a relatively simple one.
The NFL franchise tag window opens Tuesday, and the Bears will likely place the tag on cornerback Jaylon Johnson as they continue to work toward a long-term deal.
Johnson bet on himself last season and finished with a Pro Bowl nod and second-team All-Pro selection. After the season, Johnson told Keyshawn Johnson that he wants to be the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL.
That is a sharp departure from Johnson’s words before training camp when he admitted he didn’t have the accolades or turnovers to be paid like Dallas Cowboys star Trevon Diggs.
The Bears and Johnson were far apart on negotiations midseason, leading to Johnson asking for and receiving permission to seek a trade. The Bears held onto Johnson, and Poles said it would have taken a first-round pick or high second to trade Johnson.
The two sides didn’t restart negotiations during the season, but Poles said they hadn’t even found the gap in their numbers before the trade request.
With Johnson’s…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/bears-nine-step-offseason-plan-211951524.html
Author : NBC Sports Chicago
Publish date : 2024-02-19 21:19:51
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