Following a disappointing 2019 season, the Chicago Bears will be looking to rebound heading into the 2020 season. But they’ll be doing it without some familiar faces on their roster.
The Bears have made some changes this offseason, which will affect how Chicago’s roster pans out this season. There were some expected departures, including outside linebacker Leonard Floyd and tight end Trey Burton. But not all of those losses serve to benefit the Bears.
Here are the Bears’ six biggest losses this offseason:
1) ILB Nick Kwiatkoski
2020 team: Las Vegas Raiders
Nick Kwiatkoski was a big reason why the Bears defense remained a dominant force following a season-ending injury to Danny Trevathan in Week 10. Kwiatkoski shined in relief of an injured Trevathan, where he tallied 76 tackles, eight tackles for loss and four pass deflections. Ultimately, the Bears chose to re-sign Trevathan over Kwiatkoski, and Chicago lost valuable depth at inside linebacker. Kwiatkoski’s impressive performance earned him a three-year, $21 million deal with the Las Vegas Raiders, which includes $13.75 million guaranteed.
2) DT Nick Williams
2020 team: Detroit Lions
With the Bears defense riddled with injuries, Nick Williams stepped up following an injury to defensive tackle Akiem Hicks, which landed him on injured reserve. Williams proved to be a dominant force on that line racking up 42 tackles, six sacks, two fumble recoveries and two pass breakups in 2019. His breakout season might’ve happened in his seventh season, but it was enough to garner him a two-year deal worth $10 million with the Detroit Lions. Williams is another valuable depth piece that Chicago will surely miss.
3) S Ha Ha Clinton-Dix
2020 team: Dallas Cowboys
Following the loss of Adrian Amos in free agency, the Bears signed Ha Ha Clinton-Dix to a one-year prove-it deal worth $3 million. In just one year with the Bears, Clinton-Dix proved to be a reliable safety and counterpart for Eddie Jackson. Last season, Clinton-Dix started all 16 games for the Bears and finished the season with 78 tackles and two interceptions. He signed a one-year deal with the Dallas Cowboys worth $4 million with $2.5 million guaranteed. With Clinton-Dix seeking a bigger contract — and the Bears wanting to move Jackson back to free safety — parting ways only made sense.
4) CB Prince Amukamara
2020 team: Las Vegas Raiders
The Bears parted ways with cornerback Prince Amukamara earlier this offseason, where they freed up $9 million in salary cap space. In doing so, they left a big hole at cornerback opposite Kyle Fuller. The Bears have since addressed that hole, adding rookie Jaylon Johnson and free agents Tre Roberson and Artie Burns. Amukamara spent three seasons with the Bears (2017-19), where he had 29 pass breakups and three interceptions. Amukamara signed a one-year prove-it deal with the Raiders in May.
5) WR Taylor Gabriel
2020 team: Free Agent
Veteran receiver Taylor Gabriel was another cap casualty this offseason, and the Bears saved $4.5 million in cap space. While Gabriel proved to bring much-needed speed to Chicago’s offense, the problem were his two concussions in 2019, which limited him to just nine games. In Gabriel’s two seasons with Chicago (2018-19), he had 96 catches for 1,041 yards and six touchdowns in 25 games. Currently, Gabriel remains a free agent.
6) ILB Kevin Pierre-Louis
2020 team: Washington Redskins
The Bears lost another key depth player at inside linebacker with the departure of Kevin Pierre-Louis, whose final stretch of 2019 earned him a one-year deal worth $3.45 million with incentives with the Washington Redskins. Pierre-Louis stepped in for an injured Roquan Smith in the final four games, where he tallied 28 tackles and one interception in that span.
