Well it's time to leave 2014 behind and start looking ahead. Much like the last couple of Bears threads, I will update this first post with rumors, free agent moves, prospect meetings, etc.
Team Needs
Quarterback: Talent has never been the issue with Jay Cutler. He just doesn't give a damn. The Bears need a talented quarterback who actually cares, but they may have to wait until the second day of the NFL Draft to secure one. Hiring a coach like Mike Shanahan, who has a history, with Cutler, could also be a potential solution.
Safety: Chicago's defensive issues are well documented. The team needs help on all three levels of the stop unit, especially in the defensive backfield, where it had some horrid safety play in 2014.
Two Linebackers: Lance Briggs is an impending free agent, so Chicago will have to find two new linebackers. Jon Bostic will probably be given another year, but it's not like he wasn't a liability at times.
Guard: Cutler was constantly under pressure, as the Bears had some issues on their offensive line, particularly at the left guard spot. Everyone they started there struggled for the most part.
Defensive End: The Bears seemed like they were set at defensive end a year ago, but Willie Young and Lamarr Houston are both coming off devastating injuries, so the pass rush will need to be addressed. Chicago could take a defensive end at No. 7 overall considering the talent expected to be available there at that position.
Defensive Tackle: Chicago has a couple of young defensive tackles who need to be given a chance, but its top player at the position, Stephen Paea, happens to be a free agent.
Cornerback: Kyle Fuller was great as a rookie corner until he got injured and played hurt throughout the second half of the season. Tim Jennings is still there as well, but the Bears need some youth at the position, especially with Charles Tillman likely gone.
Right Tackle: Jordan Mills, chosen in the fifth round of the 2013 NFL Draft, was slightly sub par as a rookie, but took a major step backward in 2014. He'll need to be upgraded with another poor season.
Wide Receiver: Chicago could use a tertiary receiver to go along with Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery.
Punter: Pat O'Donnell was 27th in net punting.
Offseason Moves
Bears sign C Will Montgomery
Bears re-sign CB Sherrick McManis
Bears sign DE/OLB Sam Acho
Bears sign RB Jacquizz Rodgers
Bears sign CB Alan Ball
Bears sign ILB Mason Foster
Bears sign DE/DT Ray McDonald
Bears sign DE/DT Jarvis Jenkins
Bears sign G Vlad Ducasse
Buccaneers sign S Chris Conte
Bears sign S Antrel Rolle
Bears sign WR Eddie Royal
Redskins sign DT Stephen Paea
Bears sign DE/OLB Pernell McPhee
Bears re-sign QB Jimmy Clausen
Jets acquire WR Brandon Marshall from Bears for draft pick
2015 Free Agents
Stephen Paea, DT, Bears. Age: 27. - Signed by Redskins
Stephen Paea is a major liability in run support, but he's excellent in terms of generating an interior pass rush.
Lance Briggs, OLB, Bears. Age: 34.
Lance Briggs is still strong against the run, but he's just a two-down linebacker at this stage of his career. He turns 35 in November, so there's no guarantee that he won't regress further in 2015.
Brian De La Puente, C/G, Bears. Age: 30.
It was a mystery as to why the Saints let Brian De La Puente go last offseason. Capable of playing both center and guard, De La Puente sustained a season-ending ankle injury in November.
Chris Conte, S, Bears. Age: 26. - Signed by Bucs
Sherrick McManis, CB/ST, Bears. Age: 27. Re-signed by Bears
D.J. Williams, ILB, Bears. Age: 33.
Jimmy Clausen, QB, Bears. Age: 27. Re-signed by Bears
Charles Tillman, CB, Bears. Age: 34.
Danny McCray, S, Bears. Age: 27.
Dante Rosario, TE, Bears. Age: 30. Re-signed by Bears
Josh Morgan, WR, Bears. Age: 30.
Trevor Scott, DE, Bears. Age: 31.
Austen Lane, DE, Bears. Age: 27.
Jay Feely, K, Bears. Age: 39.
Montell Owens, RB, Bears. Age: 31.
SR - Senior Bowl meeting.
EW - East-West Shrine meeting.
COM - Combine meeting.
INT - Interested.
VINT - Very Interested.
PRO - Pro Day or campus meeting/workout.
LOC - Local visit.
PRI - Private visit.
WOR - Private Workout.
% - indicates more than one meeting at an event.
^ - has met with team at more than one event.
# - indicates meeting set up outside of the 2015 Senior Bowl or the 2015 East-West Shrine Game
Draft Prospect Meetings
Malcolm Agnew, RB, Southern Illinois (PRI)
Vic Beasley, DE/OLB/3-4OLB, Clemson (PRI)
Dominique Brown, RB, Louisville (EW)
Ibraheim Campbell, S, Northwestern (PRI)
T.J. Clemmings, OT, Pittsburgh (PRI)
Tevin Coleman, RB, Indiana (COM)
Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama (PRI)
Alvin Dupree^, OLB/DE/3-4OLB, Kentucky (COM, PRI)
Cornelius Edison, G, Portland State (PRI)
Mario Edwards Jr.^, DE/DT/3-4DE, Florida State (COM, PRI)
Deshazor Everett, CB, Texas A&M (PRO)
Dante Fowler Jr., DE/3-4OLB/OLB, Florida (PRI)
Max Garcia, C/OT/G, Florida (PRO)
Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia (PRI)
Eli Harold, OLB/DE/3-4OLB, Virginia (PRI)
Greg Henderson, CB, Colorado (EW)
D.J. Humphries, OT, Florida (PRI)
David Irving, DT, Iowa State (WOR)
Byron Jones, CB/S, Connecticut (PRI)
Tyler Kroft, TE, Rutgers (PRI)
Matt LaCosse, TE, Illinois (LOC)
Tony Lippett, WR, Michigan State (PRI)
Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon (PRI)
Benardrick McKinney^, OLB/ILB, Mississippi State (INT, PRO)
DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville (PRI)
Breshad Perriman, WR, Central Florida (PRI)
Bryce Petty, QB, Baylor (PRI)
Cody Prewitt, S, Ole Miss (COM)
Shane Ray, OLB/DE/3-4OLB, Missouri (PRI)
Danny Shelton^, DT/NT, Washington (SR, COM)
Trevor Siemian, QB, Northwestern (WOR)
Junior Sylvestre, OLB, Toledo (PRO)
Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State (PRI)
Kevin White, WR, West Virginia (PRI)
P.J. Williams, CB, Florida State (COM)
Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State (PRI)
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