First off, I believe the Head Coach will either be Peter Carmichael or Mike McCoy.

Resign/Trade:
Trade Devin Hester to Jacksonville for a 5th round pick.
Let Urlacher walk if he wants more than a one year deal.
Resign Melton for 5 years at 25 million.
Bring back Bowman, Collins, Roach, Scott, Spencer, Anderson, Okoye and McCown

Release:
Idonije, Nolan, Walters, Hayden, Bell, Moore, Campbell

Signings:
LT Brandon Albert
DE Glenn Dorsey
CB Derek Cox
S Will Allen

Draft:
1st LB Alec Ogletree Georgia
2nd TE Zach Ertz Stanford
4th OT Kyle Long Oregon
5th OG Hugh Thornton Illinois
5th RB Marcus Lattimore South Carolina
6th CB Desmond Trufant Washington

What do you guys think and what would be your off season?

Like the draft picks a lot. Not sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing.

Also,like the free agent signings. And I don't cut Hayden. Don't want him at nickel but he is good to have for depth.

Urlacher, if we are running the same defense, I would like to keep. Contract length doesn't really mean anything, so not sure why you need the qualifier on it.

Thought izzy was on a 1 year deal.

The value of getting a 5th for Hester is not enough for me. Not convinced he is done, and the 5th really doesn't do it for me there.

Throw this out there....highly doubt it would work cap wise.....but what if u parted ways with Earl Bennett, got rid of that money, and made a push for Mike Wallace. Get a speedster in Wallace to stretch the field.

Marshall
Wallace
Jeffery
Hester
Weems
Anderson

Wouldn't mind it....doubt it could happen.

Interesting thread. I find it too hard to participate without knowing who the HC is going to be and what scheme we are going to be running.

Nonetheless...I'll give it a shot:

Sign LT Albert to BEGIN to solidify the worst OL in football.

Sign a TE like Dustin Keller, who can help out in the passing game.

Sign CB Tracy Porter. I wanted the Bears to sign him last year and he's done well in Denver this season when healthy.

Re-sign Melton if we stick to a 4-3 scheme.

Trade Hester.

Offer Urlacher a team friendly deal...if he doesn't take it then don't let the door hit ya on the way out.

Something like that.

I like j.long for LT over albert cause i think the chiefs keep him

i believe the bears fa are

melton urlacher campbell,hayden (,moore?)bowman, okoye, hayes, bell mccown i'm sure there's more just waiting to see how much cap room the bears will use this yr

btw bears should trade #20th pick for more picks

facewweasel wrote: I like j.long for LT over albert cause i think the chiefs keep him

i believe the bears fa are

melton urlacher campbell,hayden (,moore?)bowman, okoye, hayes, bell mccown i'm sure there's more just waiting to see how much cap room the bears will use this yr

btw bears should trade #20th pick for more picks

 Depending on contracts, Melton is the only one the Bears should keep.  All the others are easily replaceable.  I would absolutely let Urlacher walk.


-Let Urlacher walk
- Sign 2 FA O-linemen with Urlacher's money
- Re-Sign Henry Melton
- Sign Veteran MLB to a 2 year deal
- Draft OL and MLB in Rounds 1 & 2
- Draft TE's in Rounds 3 & 4 (Think Colts last year)

That should do it!  The Bears don't need much to compete for the playoffs.

I think the best use of Hester is to trade him during the draft for let's say Hester and our 5th pick for a late 2nd rounder. I don't want Hester traded for a 5th alone, because the chances of that pick making it is less than 50%.

msqboxer2011 wrote: I think the best use of Hester is to trade him during the draft for let's say Hester and our 5th pick for a late 2nd rounder. I don't want Hester traded for a 5th alone, because the chances of that pick making it is less than 50%.

I don't want to hijack the thread here, but I think Hester would clear waivers.  Way too optimistic here. 
Well, except maybe for Rivera (if still employed).  He's the only opposing coach that treated Devin like the Hester of old during the punts.

As far as the OP, I surely like that draft.  I hope you didn't use STATS Inc. to come up with it. 

Hesters coming off of his worst year and just talked about debating retirement. No one is trading for him.

Anytime23 wrote: Hesters coming off of his worst year and just talked about debating retirement. No one is trading for him.

A change of scenery here, a phone call with Hester there, a team wanting a spark to re-ignite the fan base/special teams return units...someone will trade for him.

If Dustin Keller and/or Jared Cook leave their current teams and hit the open market, there is no reason one of them shouldn't be in a Bears uniform next season. Tight end was such a huge black hole this year that I'd rather bring in an established guy to hit the ground running than trying to work a rookie into the mix. Emery even said it in his press conference. We pretty much didn't throw to the middle of the field all year long.

DoubleDown11 wrote: If Dustin Keller and/or Jared Cook leave their current teams and hit the open market, there is no reason one of them shouldn't be in a Bears uniform next season. Tight end was such a huge black hole this year that I'd rather bring in an established guy to hit the ground running than trying to work a rookie into the mix. Emery even said it in his press conference. We pretty much didn't throw to the middle of the field all year long.

I actually want to see TE Heath Miller here next season.  He is a free agent too..

Keller had 2 TD's about 300 yards receiving

Cook had 4 TD's about 400 yards receiving

Heath Miller had 800 yards receiving and 8 TD's with oft-injured Rothlessburger

GSHSoldier wrote:

DoubleDown11 wrote: If Dustin Keller and/or Jared Cook leave their current teams and hit the open market, there is no reason one of them shouldn't be in a Bears uniform next season. Tight end was such a huge black hole this year that I'd rather bring in an established guy to hit the ground running than trying to work a rookie into the mix. Emery even said it in his press conference. We pretty much didn't throw to the middle of the field all year long.

I actually want to see TE Heath Miller here next season.  He is a free agent too..

Keller had 2 TD's about 300 yards receiving

Cook had 4 TD's about 400 yards receiving

Heath Miller had 800 yards receiving and 8 TD's with oft-injured Rothlessburger

I don't think you can pay a 30 year old guy who just tore his ACL to a big contract.

You're probably right.  It worked out for AP!

Cook actually had about 500 yards receiving.  He's the youngest too.  Keller was in a horrible Jets offense IMO.  Those two look more viable now.

GSHSoldier wrote:

DoubleDown11 wrote: If Dustin Keller and/or Jared Cook leave their current teams and hit the open market, there is no reason one of them shouldn't be in a Bears uniform next season. Tight end was such a huge black hole this year that I'd rather bring in an established guy to hit the ground running than trying to work a rookie into the mix. Emery even said it in his press conference. We pretty much didn't throw to the middle of the field all year long.

I actually want to see TE Heath Miller here next season.  He is a free agent too..

Keller had 2 TD's about 300 yards receiving

Cook had 4 TD's about 400 yards receiving

Heath Miller had 800 yards receiving and 8 TD's with oft-injured Rothlessburger

Miller tore his ACL in Week 16.  Unless he has the same doctor as Adrian Peterson, he won't be ready for opening day next year. 

Keller only played in 8 games.  That's kinda why his numbers were down.  It's also what could make him a good value in free agency.  He went for about 60/800 2 years ago with Mark Sanchez as his quarterback.

I like Cook alot.  I'm not as high on Keller.  Seems to get hurt a lot and is a little on the shorter side for a TE.  Doesn't offer the big target I think Jay would like.  But he'd obviously be an upgrade.

The bears were 10-6 with this year's disaster and were 9-7 the year before, they're not that far from being a dominant team.

Emery has talked about going to a 3-4 scheme which means edge rushers at the second level and large D-linemen (much like Packers have now with Raji and Pickett). Glenn Dorsey certainly fits this scheme if the Bears can get him. But there will also be some good d-linemen in the draft too with John Jenkins from Georgia and Kawaan Short from Purdue. I would draft one of those guys. At the second level I still think Briggs can give 2-3 more good years but the key to me is Shea McClellin. He's a hybrid DE/LB with alot of speed and sure tackling ability. He would be a natural in a 3-4 as an edge rusher, along with Cory Wootton. I think this pick by Emery along with his comments are good indicators that he will switch to a 3-4. I think getting Henry Melton back is a must. He can play at the second level or on the line of scrimmage with his versatility.

On offense I would draft a TE in either the first or second round rather than mess with a free agent band-aid like Finley, Keller, Cook, or Miller. Eifert will likely go early but Ertz may be available to the bears at 20 in the first round or in the second round. In either scenario I think he would be a good pick. Offensive line I would address in the 3rd or 4th round of the draft and in free agency. Ryan Clady, Jermon Bushrod, and Jake Long are the coveted free agents. Sign one of them. I think Carimi, Garza, and Lance Louis all return but the others are expendable. Receiver should also be addressed in free agency and in the draft. Cutler needs 1-2 more targets. I would sign Ogletree from Dallas, Avery from Indy, or Greg Jennings from Packers. Then I would sign a speedster in the 3rd round or later in the draft. I think we are ok with Forte and Bush at RB IF the line play improves. Perhaps Bears take a back in the 5th round or later but I don't see any immediate need to upgrade this position even though I think Forte is a bit over-rated.

There's what I would do this offseason.

Ontherebound wrote: I like Cook alot.  I'm not as high on Keller.  Seems to get hurt a lot and is a little on the shorter side for a TE.  Doesn't offer the big target I think Jay would like.  But he'd obviously be an upgrade.

Keller never missed a game in his career before last year.

GGGilliniballa18 wrote: First off, I believe the Head Coach will either be Peter Carmichael or Mike McCoy.

Resign/Trade:
Trade Devin Hester to Jacksonville for a 5th round pick.
Let Urlacher walk if he wants more than a one year deal.
Resign Melton for 5 years at 25 million.
Bring back Bowman, Collins, Roach, Scott, Spencer, Anderson, Okoye and McCown

Release:
Idonije, Nolan, Walters, Hayden, Bell, Moore, Campbell

Signings:
LT Brandon Albert
DE Glenn Dorsey
CB Derek Cox
S Will Allen

Draft:
1st LB Alec Ogletree Georgia
2nd TE Zach Ertz Stanford
4th OT Kyle Long Oregon
5th OG Hugh Thornton Illinois
5th RB Marcus Lattimore South Carolina
6th CB Desmond Trufant Washington

What do you guys think and what would be your off season?

Idonije: I'd definitely, definitely keep him. He's so valuable as a depth guy even if he's not starting. He can play just as effectively at DT as he can DE. He's not going to command much $$$ on the FA market, and he can play ST's. Looks like a great candidate for a 1 year contract.

McCown: Eh. I like him, and he was great after guys like Todd Collins, but I'm totally fine moving on from him. I'd love to see who Emery or the next HC like as a backup.

Spencer: I think it remains to be seen if and where he fits into the new system (whatever it will be). That's true for most players, but him especially considering his contract. I wouldn't be suprised if he's let go mostly over money.

Okoye: Sadly did not return to form. It may have just been a knee issue, but he really only had 1 decent season with us.

GGGilliniballa18 wrote: First off, I believe the Head Coach will either be Peter Carmichael or Mike McCoy.

Resign/Trade:
Trade Devin Hester to Jacksonville for a 5th round pick.
Let Urlacher walk if he wants more than a one year deal.
Resign Melton for 5 years at 25 million.
Bring back Bowman, Collins, Roach, Scott, Spencer, Anderson, Okoye and McCown

Release:
Idonije, Nolan, Walters, Hayden, Bell, Moore, Campbell

Signings:
LT Brandon Albert
DE Glenn Dorsey
CB Derek Cox
S Will Allen

Draft:
1st LB Alec Ogletree Georgia
2nd TE Zach Ertz Stanford
4th OT Kyle Long Oregon
5th OG Hugh Thornton Illinois
5th RB Marcus Lattimore South Carolina
6th CB Desmond Trufant Washington

What do you guys think and what would be your off season?

For the most part, i like it. Two things im not too high on is taking Kyle Long when you already are signing Albert and have Webb, Carimi and Scott. Would rather bolster the interior. Also, im a Derek Cox fan but again, i think that would be a little too much investment in the CB position. You got two pro-bowlers as is. I dont think Cox signs somewhere where he might not start. Lattimore is a really interesting name but who knows if he can come back from another brutal knee injury. I have a couple late round risks of my own.

My off-season goes like this and i'll just stuck with your idea of trading Hester for a 5th, though id rather keep him.

Head Coach
Kyle Shanahan.

Resigns:
Melton
Scott
Louis
Roach
Bowman
Collins

Release:
Davis
Spencer
Toeaina
Hayden
Adams

Sign:
Brandon Albert
Drew Stanton
Jared Cook

Draft:
1st: Alec Ogletree, LB, Georgia- Urlachers replacement.
2nd: Barrett Jones, C, Bama- Bears get a legit C and have flexibility to move him to guard if needed. Big upgrade with Brandon Albert and hopefully a healthy/improved Gabe Carimi.
4th: Tevin Reese, WR, Baylor- speed guy to replace Knox and do the things they were hoping Hester could do.
5th: Bacarri Rambo, FS, Georgia- Nice guy to pair with Ogletree. Hopefully off the field issues make his stock drop.
5th: Honey Badger, CB, Rehab- Bears take a chance on another bonehead. Former Heisman finalist with all the talent in the world. Can also use him to replace Hester in the return game. Hopefully the high risk/reward pick pays dividends like last years Vontaze Burfict.
6th: Michael Williams, TE, Bama: Big bodied blocking TE to do the dirty work.
UDFAs:

My guy Mike Williams doing work in the running game and a TD for Bama