The Chicago Bears are coming into the offseason after heavy speculation about a trade with Jay Cutler and as the draft gets closer, the team may consider taking Marcus Mariota as a future replacement for Cutler in the draft and this comes as Matt Forte has also been mentioned in trade speculation, which could lead to the Bears adding a player like Stevan Ridley, Knowshon Moreno or Steven Jackson for depth.
The Bears underwent some major changes this offseason with Ryan Pace and John Fox taking over the franchise and while Cutler did not end up getting trade, his future was up in the air for quite some time. According to ESPN.com, Pace and Fox feel comfortable with Cutler as the starter, but Michael C. Wright at ESPN Chicago reports that Mariota could be a target if he falls to the Bears with the number seven overall pick.
Wright lists running back and wide receiver as needs on offense that remain this offseason and that comes after the team traded away Brandon Marshall. Pace signed Eddie Royal as a free agent, but the team likely needs more than that and that could lead to the team taking Amari Cooper or Kevin White in the first round. Greg Jennings and Michael Crabtree are still on the market, as is Hakeem Nicks and Denarius Moore.
Earlier in the offseason Forte pointed to trade rumors about him in social media and Michael C. Wright at ESPN Chicago speculated the Bears could consider a trade this offseason. Forte is coming off of a strong year and he has been very productive in his career, but he is coming into the final year of his contract and will be 30 by the end of this season. Forte had 1038 yards on the ground and 102 receptions last season, but the Bears overall did not rush the ball well. The team likely will not trade Forte, but if they get a decent offer they could consider it.
Mason Foster also could be an option at linebacker, which is another need for the team. The interest in Mariota may not end up resulting in a pick for the Bears, but if the quarterback slips to seven, they could consider trading out for another team like the Cleveland Browns, who are also interested in Mariota. The Bears come into the offseason after winning just five games and Cutler getting benched during the season, which had speculation running rampant about his future. Cutler has a massive contract that was signed by the former Bears regime and Fox could look at trading him if teams are interested, although right now they are not shopping him.
The team flirted with trading Cutler and according to Pro Football Talk, Fox and Ryan Pace were "noncommittal" regarding Cutler's future when asked earlier in the offseason, but that has changed now. Those comments only fueled the talk that he could be traded. Michael C. Wright at ESPN Chicago reported that the team allowed the date to pass when Cutler had the majority of his 2016 salary guaranteed, meaning he likely will be with the Bears for the foreseeable future.
