The Chicago Bears have their work cut out of them to return to the playoffs, but Monday’s news was a step in the right direction.
Highly touted Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson became the Bears’ new head coach on Monday, giving first-overall pick Caleb Williams a new play-caller in his effort to become Chicago’s long-awaited franchise quarterback.
Now that Johnson is in place, the Bears can start thinking about how to construct the ideal roster for him to manage. And because Williams’ protection was so dismal in 2024, general manager Ryan Poles would be wise to invest in the offensive line.
Williams took 68 sacks this season, 16 more than any other quarterback. While he’s not immune from some of the blame, the Bears could also use massive upgrades at both guard and tackle.
FanSided’s Terrence Jordan strongly hinted Monday that the Bears should shoot for the top of the guard market. He named Kansas City Chiefs right guard Trey Smith as a free agent the Bears “must sign” this spring.
“I can think of no better way to set Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams up for success than to give them a first-class offensive line,” Jordan wrote.
“Smith could help bring some of the Chiefs’ winning culture to Chicago, and though he’d no longer be protecting Patrick Mahomes, he’d be protecting the player whose skill set has most often been compared to his. Smith will be able to command a huge contract, but with the Bears having the fourth-most cap space in the league, they should be able to make it work.”
Smith, the 6-foot-6, 321-pound monster who is still just 25, has become the prize of the free-agent class at the guard position. He has been worth an impressive 113 total points earned in his four-year career, per Sports Info Solutions.
Spotrac projects Smith for a four-year, $79 million contract, but he may have his sights set even higher, on the $100 million mark Robert Hunt of the Carolina Panthers set for the first time at the guard position.
Massive contracts are sometimes a necessary evil for a front office, and the Bears would be wise to pay Smith whatever it takes to lure him out of Kansas City. He could be a game-changer for an offense that has all the potential to get Chicago back in the playoffs.
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The Chicago Bears have made a big move by hiring former Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Ben Johnson as their new head coach. But now, they need to make an even bigger move by signing one of the Chiefs’ projected $79 million Pro Bowlers.
The player in question is none other than wide receiver Tyreek Hill. Hill has been a key piece of the Chiefs’ explosive offense, consistently putting up impressive numbers and earning multiple Pro Bowl selections. With his speed and playmaking ability, Hill would be a perfect fit for the Bears’ offense, giving young quarterback Justin Fields a dynamic weapon to work with.
The Bears have struggled to find consistent production at the wide receiver position in recent years, and Hill would instantly upgrade their receiving corps. With Johnson’s offensive expertise and Hill’s playmaking ability, the Bears could have a potent offensive attack that could compete with the best in the league.
Signing Hill won’t come cheap, but the Bears have the cap space to make it happen. With the opportunity to add a dynamic playmaker like Hill to their roster, the Bears must make signing him a top priority this offseason. It’s a move that could transform their offense and make them a serious contender in the NFC.
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