Next 1. Build the offensive line One of the key issues for the Bears offense was the inability to maintain key blocks up front. Too many drives were killed by the poor play of the offensive line with the likes of Patrick Omameh and Vlad Ducasse starting at Guard. The Bears have promising prospects in Charles Leno, Hroniss Grasu and Kyle Long but all three were too inconsistent in 2016 and John Fox should look to add another veteran presence to help win in the trenches. General Manager Ryan Pace should be able find a guard or a tackle in free agency. As seen with Denver and Carolina, the more successful teams are able to run the rock. The Bears should look at Kelechi Osemele from the Ravens and Jeff Allen from Kansas City, two guys that have demonstrated the ability to provide solid protection while also able to move the pile in the run game.

Previous Next 2. Draft defense This years draft is one of the deepest on the defensive side of the ball in recent memory and the Bears should take advantage of this. Sitting at 11 in the draft order, Ryan Pace should be looking to add a blue chip defender with the pick who can help restore the Bears to their former defensive dominance. Prospects such as Myles Jack (LB), DeForest Buckner (DE), Noah Spence (LB), A’Shawn Robinson (DE) and Shaq Lawson (LB) could all possibly on the board when the Bears are on the clock at 11. However, with nine picks in the entire draft, the Bears are in prime opportunity to add a number of impact defenders as they need help at all three levels. With so many holes on the defense, the Bears can go best player available at every pick and improve a talent deprived defense.

Previous Next 3. Don't "win" free agency As seen with the 2011 Philadelphia Eagles, winning free agency doesn’t always translate to winning on the football field. With over $50 million in cap space, the Bears should be major players in free agency however Pace and Fox enjoyed success last year by signing low-key players such as Pernell McPhee, Tracy Porter and Jarvis Jenkins and they should follow this recipe of success. As well as adding an offensive lineman, the Bears should go hard after Danny Trevathan. The Broncos linebacker was almost unheralded for his play on a defense headlined by Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware but his instincts and qualities at linebacker are exactly what the Bears need. Similar low-key free agents that I would pursue would be Jaye Howard (DE), Akiem Hicks (DE), Brandon Boykin (CB) and George Iloka (S).

Previous Next 4. Add playmakers One of the premier issues of the Chicago Bears last year was the lack of turnovers and explosive plays. While the patchwork secondary of Kyle Fuller, Tracy Porter and Adrian Amos performed admirably, neither of the three can be considered a true play-maker. The Bears would do well to add a ball hawking safety to Vic Fangio’s defense. As well as the lack of plays in the secondary, the Bears pass rush was just as inconsistent. Pernell McPhee proved to be a great addition by Ryan Pace but the bulldozing linebacker struggled with double teams and injuries down the stretch. The Bears should look to add a young speed rusher who can set the tone on the edge as well as giving Fangio a premier pass rusher to wreak havoc on opponents. Chicago could also stand to add playmakers on the offense. With Alshon Jeffery, Eddie Royal, Marquess Wilson and Matt Forte all missing time in 2015, Jay Cutler struggled to consistently find rhythm with his weapons. While the returning Kevin White could add a dynamic threat on the outside, Pace and Fox should look to find a speedy receiver that can take the top off the defense as well as the ability to return kicks and can eventually take over from Royal in the starting line-up.