2024 offseason primer: Bears face franchise-altering decision with No. 1 overall pick

Adding Montez Sweat at the trade deadline gives the Bears a pass-rushing anchor and someone to build their front seven around. Now Poles just needs to give him some more help with another edge-rusher or two.

Here’s what you need to know about Chicago’s offseason:

PROJECTED 2024 CAP SPACE:  $49.13M (seventh-most in NFL)

FREE AGENTS | Offense: RB D’Onta Foreman; WRs Equanimeous St. Brown, Trent Taylor, Darnell Mooney, Joe Reed; TEs Robert Tonyan, Marcedes Lewis; OGs Lucas Patrick, Dan Feeney; Long snapper Patrick Scales

Defense: DT Justin Jones; DEs Yannick Ngakoue, Rasheem Green; LB Dylan Cole; CBs Jaylon Johnson, Josh Blackwell

Outlook: Although the Bears could certainly use him regardless of who is under center next season, Mooney is likely to test free agency and sign for more money elsewhere. He’s the only offensive player really worthy of being brought back. Defensively, it’s a different story. Jones is a key cog in the middle of Chicago’s defense, totaling 36 pressures, 18 hurries and 4.5 sacks. For a team with little pass-rush help, keeping Jones should be a priority. 

Johnson is expected to be one of the more sought-after players in free agency, so if the Bears do bring him back, it’s going to cost them. However, he’s worth whatever kind of contract he’s going to get. Johnson as one of the top cover corners in the league, surrendering just 7.8 yards per completion, 195 yards and a completion percentage of 50% while allowing just one touchdown and a passer rating of 33.3. Poles should hand Johnson a blank check.

2024 DRAFT PICKS: Round 1 (No. 1 overall, via Carolina)| Round 1 (No. 9 overall) | Round 3 | Round 4 |Round 4 (via Philadelphia) | Round 5

TOP DRAFT NEEDS (in order): WR, CB, C, DT, Edge-rusher — Though the Bears will likely take a QB if they keep the No. 1 overall pick, it’s not their even one of their top five needs. That said, if Chicago plans to keep Fields and can somehow trade back and still land Marvin Harrison Jr., it would be the ultimate win for the franchise.

Should Chicago go with either Williams or Maye at the top of the draft, then it would make sense to take the best available pass-rusher with the No. 9 overall pick given the team finished with the second-fewest sacks this year. If this scenario plays out, look for the Bears to potentially trade back into Round 2 to grab another WR to pair with D.J. Moore.

DRAFT PROSPECTS TO WATCH: Caleb Williams, QB, USC; Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina; Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State; Malik Nabers, WR, LSU; Jer’Zahn Newton, DT, Illinois; T’Vondre Sweat, DT, Texas; Kris Jenkins, DT, Michigan; Dallas Turner, Edge, Alabama; Jared Verse, Edge, Florida State; Laiatu Latu, Edge, UCLA; Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson; Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa; Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama; Jackson Powers-Johnson, C, Oregon

THREE 2024 STORYLINES TO WATCH:

What does GM Ryan Poles do with the No. 1 overall pick?

If Fields is traded, how big is the return?

Do the Bears make a big splash in free agency with nearly $50M in cap space?