Chicago Bears Q&A: What are some key matchups to watch? Will the Buffalo Bills’ signing of Leonard Floyd jump

Jun 10, 2023

The Chicago Bears wrapped up their third week of organized team activities ahead of mandatory minicamp next week. What matchups should we be watching? And will the Bears finally sign an edge rusher? Brad Biggs addresses concerns in his weekly mailbag.

What are some key matchups we should be paying attention to in minicamp and training camp? — @just_acy

I don't know that there are a lot of matchups that are super intriguing at training camp. Obviously you want to see how wide receiver DJ Moore performs when the pads come on and he's competing against cornerbacks. I am talking specifically about work where it is starters versus starters. Moore facing the second-team cornerbacks doesn't generate a ton of intrigue for me. It would be concerning (from an offensive standpoint, anyway) if the current group of edge rushers had a ton of success against the starting offensive tackles.

Maybe more interesting will be the few battles for starting spots. I don't know if it's surprising how many first-team spots appear to be up for grabs for a team coming off a 3-14 season. Obviously general manager Ryan Poles and his staff did a nice job filling some glaring holes early in the offseason. A couple of spots warrant attention.

Cornerback: Everyone figures Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon will be in the top two. Who is the third cornerback? Will that player start full-time on the outside and is Gordon strictly a slot cornerback? It will be interesting to see how rookies Tyrique Stevenson and Terrel Smith perform as well as holdover Kindle Vildor.

Running back: It looks as if the Bears will go back to by-committee, but you never know. Someone has to be tops on the depth chart in first-down situations and someone has to be viewed as the top back in passing situations. Who emerges from the group of Khalil Herbert, D’Onta Foreman, Roschon Johnson and Travis Homer? Those questions likely will play out in preseason action.

Defensive tackle: How quickly will rookies Geron Dexter and Zacch Pickens emerge as consistent players in the rotation? Answers will not come until the team is in full pads.

Strong-side linebacker: Can fourth-round pick Noah Sewell push Jack Sanborn at this position? Sanborn performed well as a rookie. He's coming off an injury and the team clearly likes Sewell's upside.

Those are a few spots to pay attention to as the summer unfolds.

Will the Buffalo Bills’ signing of Leonard Floyd get things moving for the market of available edge rushers? I am thinking Ryan Poles and the Bears finally signing one. — Ezra, Joliet

It can't hurt, that is for sure. Floyd signed a one-year, $7 million contract with the Bills this week, and Frank Clark was taken off the board Thursday when the Denver Broncos reached agreement with him on a one-year contract worth $5.5 million. So we’ve at least got a little momentum here. Floyd has the opportunity to earn another $2 million in his deal, and Clark's contract includes another $2 million in upside.

Floyd's contract might have established a ceiling for free-agent defensive ends as Clark came in a little below him. Chances are at this point the remaining players are staring at one-year contracts. I say that because if the money hasn't been there for them on a multiyear deal — and that is why they are still on the street — it's probably not going to magically appear at this point. We’ll see what shakes out. Yannick Ngakoue is probably the best option right now who doesn't have too much tread on his tires. Can he do better than Floyd's deal? I suppose that is possible, but the former Bears first-round draft pick was probably the most complete edge defender on the market before this week.

Seems like there have been some positive reports about Velus Jones this spring. Can he become a consistent producer in the offense? — Mitchell G., Tulsa, Okla.

It would open up some more possibilities for offensive coordinator Luke Getsy if Jones can be more consistent, and that word you used is the key. The fastest way for Jones to earn more opportunities is to prove he can be consistent with assignments and production. The Bears certainly believed he could help on offense when they invested a third-round pick in him. I still view him as a gadget player but I also wouldn't put a ceiling on him.

He has a chance to grow in Year 2. He probably should be a lot more comfortable and confident. The Bears couldn't wait around to see if it's going to happen for Jones, though, and that is why they invested in Tyler Scott in the draft this year. Competition should raise the level of play for the wide receiver room.

If the Bears are considering Naperville, then why not at an alternative site in Chicago? — @shufflincrew85

It's probably more likely that the Bears are attempting to leverage Arlington Heights and its surrounding communities to get measures in place the team deems necessary to continue with the project than anything else. Maybe the Bears will have exploratory discussions — in the most basic form — with other municipalities in the weeks and months to come.

During the extended period of time that the Bears were closing on the Arlington Heights property, there was a clause in the deal that prevented them from negotiating with other possible sites — Chicago and Soldier Field included. Now that the Bears own the former race-track land in Arlington Heights, they are free to do as they please.

It's just my opinion, but this strikes me as negotiating 101. Whether Arlington Heights and the surrounding communities budge, we’ll have to see.

Can the Bears’ recent meeting with new Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson be viewed as a positive that the team could remain in the city? — Brett P., Chicago

I don't know how you would spin that (or really anything) out of the joint statement the city and franchise released Wednesday.

"Today we met and discussed our shared values and commitment to the City of Chicago, the importance of deep roots and the need for equitable community investment throughout the city," the statement read. "We are both committed to the idea that the city and its major civic institutions must grow and evolve together to meet the needs of the future. We look forward to continuing the dialogue around these shared values."

Odds of the Bears finding a viable site in the city that they could purchase and develop — with the terms they desire — seem miniscule to me. I’m talking fourth-and-42 miniscule. Maybe I am wrong, but there would have to be a major change in the way the winds are blowing for a project in the city to get traction.

The Chicago Park District has done a poor job of managing Soldier Field on behalf of the Bears. Just look at the renovation debacle. Staying in Chicago is increasingly unlikely. Is there a chance the park district would/could sell the property to the Bears? — @tkevinh1965

For starters, the park district manages the stadium for the city. The Bears are a tenant. Second, I don't see how the Bears could potentially buy Soldier Field. In 1987, Soldier Field was designated as a national historic landmark. I suppose it is possible but that option seems really remote to me.

Being that the Bears are No. 1 for waiver claims, what position group do you think Ryan Poles/Matt Eberflus will target to maybe add depth or look for a starter if possible? — @dabearszach

Certainly if the Bears have a clear need for depth at a position, they will look at that. But the waiver wire is more about players than positions. You should look at the names that come available and consider what your scouting reports (before this season) and what the reports generated during preseason actions say. If there is a player the team likes, then you weigh that player's skill against what you have at the bottom of your depth chart. The Bears should be looking more for talent than positional needs. Sure, edge rusher likely would be a need even if they add a veteran between now and the start of training camp. But it's highly unlikely a proven pass rusher eligible for waivers is cut loose.