Chicago Bears: The biggest remaining needs after latest signings

The Chicago Bears are just a few days into the new league years and they’ve already made a series of moves that change the outlook of 2019.

It’s hard not to say for the better too. They improved their special teams immediately with the addition of stud kick returner Cordarrelle Patterson. Mike Davis brings versatility and depth to running back. Buster Skrine will take over the nickel corner position for the departed Bryce Callahan. The last and perhaps biggest addition is safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, a former Pro Bowler from Green Bay set to take over Adrian Amos‘ vacant spot.

The team is looking pretty good and the offseason isn’t even half over yet. There is still plenty of work to do though. GM Ryan Pace can’t afford to get comfortable yet. Well over 30 roster slots remain open and need filling. Here are the top needs left for them to address with a few months before training camp is set to begin.

01. Kicker

It was the reason their 2018 season ended prematurely and they’ve been active at it since then. Cody Parkey is gone two have come in to take his place in Redford Jones and Chris Blewitt. Odds are the Bears aren’t done adding bodies there with one or maybe two more destined for the competition. Pace isn’t going to leave anything to chance this time and that’s good. Many great teams have been felled by poor kickers in the past.

02. Edge rusher

Khalil Mack and Leonard Floyd are fixed in place for 2019. That’s the good news. The bad news? They have nobody else behind them. Aaron Lynch is gone. Sam Acho was cut. Only Isaiah Irving remains and he doesn’t have the chops to be that critical third pass rusher. Whether it’s with a veteran on the market or a draft pick, the Bears can’t run the risk of being so thin there. Especially since both Floyd and Mack missed time with injury last year.

03. Punter

Pat O’Donnell has clung to the punting job since he was drafted back in 2014, but people have wondered how much longer he’d survive under Ryan Pace. He’s a free agent once again and it seems like the Bears aren’t in a hurry to bring him back this time. Could it be they’re finally ready to move on? If so, that’s another position they can’t afford to pass off with just another veteran. Field position is important to this team.

04. Tight end

The Bears might be content with Trey Burton and Adam Shaheen for another year, but the duo didn’t exactly set the world on fire last season. Ben Braunecker was brought back on a new deal but their depth is still questionable. Daniel Brown is a free agent and Dion Sims was cut. They may want to shuffle in a new body or two to help with the depth. Maybe even provide some competition for the two men at the top.

05. Offensive guard

James Daniels is fixed at left guard and Kyle Long will be back at his customary right spot. However, his health history should make the Bears wary at this point. They need to have capable bodies waiting in the wings if he goes down again. They’ve already signed Ted Larsen, which will mark his second stint with the team. It would be wise to make another addition at some point to be sure. Larsen is okay but nobody would say he’s great.

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