The Chicago Bears may look at a Jay Cutler trade this offseason to move up in the draft to get Marcus Mariota from the Tennessee Titans and the team also could consider trading Matt Forte if he wants a new contract, but if that doesn't happen, the Bears may target players like Todd Gurley, Amari Cooper, Kevin White or Randy Gregory in the first round.
The Bears are coming into the offseason after a tough 2014 season and now the franchise has a new general manager and head coach. John Fox takes over for Marc Trestman and the team reportedly is considering a move up for Marcus Mariota in the draft. According to Pro Football Talk, the Bears have met with Mariota and the idea of drafting the quarterback has "gained more and more traction" in the organization, as Bleacher Report's Jason Cole writes.
Jay Cutler's future was up in the air heading out of last season after he was benched by Marc Trestman and there were reports that the team was considering making a trade. That was a couple months ago though and since then, Fox has put his support behind Cutler, saying that he is the starter heading into workouts and that the team is "moving forward" with him at quarterback. But that may have changed again, as Cole writes that the team is seriously considering trading up for Mariota.
Mariota is getting the most attention of any player heading into the draft, as the Buccaneers are likely drafting Jameis Winston and that leaves Mariota as the top QB left. The Titans have the number two pick in the draft and reports have the Browns, NY Jets, San Diego Chargers, Redskins and Bears as options to trade up. The Bears are in good position to make a move if they want, as they have the number seven pick and a solid quarterback to dangle.
The Titans could stick with the pick and take Mariota, but according to David Climer of the Tennesseean, the team will likely take Leonard Williams if the selection is not traded. The Chargers have been getting attention as the team that could move up for Mariota, as they have Rivers to dangle and he is a better overall quarterback than Cutler.
Forte is coming into the final year of his contract and he could be a target to get moved this offseason. Forte will be 30 when the season is over and while he is coming off of a big season, he reportedly wants a new deal and could consider a holdout. The team could move Forte over Cutler in a deal, but to get Mariota they likely have to move the QB. The team could consider taking Todd Gurley or another back to replace Forte if they opt to trade him.
The Bears have a top 10 pick and some solid talent at various positions and they could be a team that bounces back quick in 2015. John Fox is a good coach and he took some so-so teams to the playoffs in the past and here in Chicago, while there are holes, he has some strong players on this team.