Regardless of what happens this season, the Chicago Bears will do some rebuilding in the offseason. The Chicago Bears have not been satisfied with the way the season has been turning out and the offseason will see some familiar faces depart the roster. With both Matt Forte and Alshon Jeffery playing on expiring contracts, trades and releases will be a headline in Chicago moving forward.
While Forte and Jeffery are battling for new deals, all eyes could be on Martellus Bennett. The tight end did not play against the Green Bay Packers and could be a potential trade target moving forward. Bennett has faced trade rumors in the past. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported earlier last offseason that the Bears were listening to trade offers for Bennett who was holding out for a new contract. The tight end is set to earn $4.9 million this season while making just over $5 million in each of the last two years of his deal. Could the Bears be eyeing a trade again?
There have not been any more reports of a potential Bennett trade coming for the team, but WindyCityGridiron.com raises the idea after it was reported last offseason. Bennett has not been a big part of the team's offense this year as Adam Gase has made both Bennett and Zach Miller more blocking options than catching. Bennett has a lot of value in this league and a number of teams will be aiming to get a tight end upgrade this offseason. That makes Bennett a valuable asset if the Bears decide to go that direction.
The Bears must first determine the future of Forte and Jeffery. According to NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport, Forte is considered the starter after returning from a knee injury, but not the workhorse or future running back of the franchise. Forte's absence led to the breakout performances of Jeremy Langford and now the Bears see what life without the veteran will be like. That will certainly factor into whether or not Forte is re-signed in the offseason as he has recognized that he might be playing elsewhere next season.
Jeffery is another question mark as he battles injuries this year. The Chicago Sun-Times reports that the Bears are more likely to sign Jeffery over Forte this offseason so long as the receiver can get healthy again. After trading away Brandon Marshall, the Bears were hoping to have a receiving tandem of Jeffery and rookie Kevin White, but that has not worked in their favor. White is on the mend and so is Jeffery which could be the future of the Chicago offense.
