Heartbreaking news: The most talented players for the Chicago Bears has signed a new contract

Heartbreaking news: The most talented players for the Chicago Bears has signed a new contract

The following Bears players first appeared on NBC Sports Chicago and may have played their final game with the team.

And with that, the Bears’ 2023–24 season is over, like it or not.

They ended their season at Lambeau Field in Green Bay with a depressing 17-9 loss to the Packers. Not only was that the last game of the Bears season, but for some players, it might have been their last game wearing a Bears jersey.

These Bears players may have participated in their last game as members of the team.

Mooney Darnell
Darnell Mooney, who suffered a concussion on Sunday and missed the Bears’ game against the Packers, has already completed his fourth season with the team.

Throughout this season and the previous offseason, Mooney and the Bears were unable to come to an agreement on a contract extension. The Bears have not indicated that they plan to bring the wide receiver back, but they have also not indicated that they are opposed to doing so.

However, it’s safe to assume that the Bears won’t re-sign Mooney following two fruitless seasons with Justin Fields. As the de facto starter for the team in 2021, he had difficulty. Mooney was predicted to flourish this season with less defensive pressure behind DJ Moore.

Sadly, that’s not how events transpired for him. Mooney will have 31 receptions, 414 receiving yards, and one passing touchdown by the end of the season’s 15 games. That is insufficient.

Will the Bears try to sign Marvin Harrison Jr., an Ohio State prospect? Pay attention.

Eddie Jackson
Eddie Jackson, a safety, may have received a significant salary increase from former general manager Ryan Pace following his outstanding All-Pro season in 2018. 2020 saw him sign a four-year, $58 million contract with the Bears.

Jackson’s contract is still in effect for another year. However, it wouldn’t come as a shock if the Bears released him and allowed him to enter free agency. If they cut him, the Bears could save $12–14 million this offseason, depending on when they make the move.

Jackson has stuck by the Bears through thick and thin, so know that. He wants to stay in Chicago regardless of how good or bad his play is.

During several sit-downs this week at Halas Hall, Jackson expressed to NBC Sports Chicago, “I just, man, I hope I’m here [to see it through].” “What we’re creating is truly unique. I believe I have a significant role in it as well. Simply to experience the highs and lows I have encountered here and realize that, “Hey, we’re really on the rise.”

“It stinks, man, if I have to leave it at this crucial moment. It would be awful, really. Man, I can’t imagine being anywhere else. I’ve spent seven years here. This is the house. This is where I have my house. My children are present. For me, it’s just home. I find it difficult to see myself in another place. That would make sense to me. I’ll be fine if I’m somewhere else, but I just can’t picture myself in another place. I’d prefer not to see it. This is where it must be.”

offensive linemen
A couple of important offensive linemen may be traded after Sunday’s game.

Lucas Patrick’s calf injury kept him out of the Bears lineup on Sunday, the team announced on Saturday. The center played 16 games this season before being placed on injured reserve at the end of the season.

The $8 million, two-year contract that Patrick, 30, signed with the Bears is about to expire. He hasn’t been a dependable interior lineman and has slipped on multiple crucial blocks. The Bears are probably done with him.

Despite the staffing turnover over the previous eight seasons, Cody Whitehair, 31, has one of the longest tenures among Bears players. Whitehair is a flexible lineman who can play left guard and center. However, it’s evident from his play that he is over thirty.

Although he still has one season left on his deal, the Bears could avoid having to pay a $13 million cap hit by letting him go this offseason.

Velus Jones, Jr.
Very few general managers take responsibility for their errors. Ryan Poles still hasn’t acknowledged or accepted his error regarding Velus Jones Jr.

As a third-round selection, the once-25-year-old rookie entered with high expectations. He was expected to provide the Bears’ core of wide receivers with youthful maturity and lightning-fast route running. Unfortunately, after two seasons with the Bears, none of that has materialized.

Jones Jr. has averaged 16% of offensive snaps during the previous two seasons. He returns kick returns and has earned 49% of special teams snaps this season, indicating that his primary role is on special teams.

He hasn’t always been the team’s go-to return man, though. He made two big punts in pivotal games the previous season. He was immediately demoted by the Bears and forced to return kickoffs. That shouldn’t be sufficient for a former third-round pick to stay with the Bears.

Before the club allows him to play and sets a bad example, it’s time to cut bait on his contract.

Johnson, Jaylon
Let’s have some debate.

This season, one of the main topics of discussion has been the Bears’ intention to sign cornerback Jaylon Johnson to a long-term contract. Neither party has been able to agree on a contract thus far. At the last minute, the front office decided not to trade him. Johnson will now spend this offseason in free agency.

But he’s made it very apparent that he wants to stay in Chicago. After four years of incredible play, he was selected for his first Pro Bowl this past week.

But after talks broke down during the season, he’s been playing better, so he’s asking for more than he originally requested. At first, he said he had no intention of resetting the cornerback market. But that may have changed since then.

“At the end of the day, I feel like at times you have to be more realistic with your circumstances, with your situation, and with the things you have put out there or haven’t put out there,” Johnson stated on 670 The Score. After this season, realistically, I feel like there’s nothing you can say that I’m not doing.

“You can’t claim that I can’t cover at a high level after this year. You cannot claim that I am unable to remove the ball. You cannot tell me that I am incapable of handling this. What is it that, in all likelihood, I am incapable of doing that merits top pay?”

I include him here for that reason. It appears that Johnson and the Bears will be able to reach an agreement. That’s not always a given, though. Johnson could, at the very least, be signed by the Bears to a one-year contract that would put him in the top five at cornerback.

Let’s see.

Fields Justin
Did I not say we were going to get controversial?

The NFL offseason’s most important plot point is arguably Justin Fields’. Should the Bears hang onto Fields and keep their hopes high for his development? Alternatively, should they draft a new signal caller and trade him?

Fields may very well have played his last game for the Bears. And that seems like a bigger game than any other regular-season game Fields has played so far.

Fields could be traded for a second- or third-round pick, according to reports. In order to select a new quarterback to guide their squad, the Bears would then turn to the draft.

Is Fields able to withstand the Bears organization’s mindset and stay on the team?