The Chicago Bears have signed free agent Ray McDonald to a one year contract following his release by the San Francisco 49ers and it came with the approval of chairman George McCaskey and now he will join the newly signed Mason Foster for John Fox's revamped defense in 2015 and this comes as the team could target Marcus Mariota in the draft after flirting with a Jay Cutler trade.
The Bears are coming into the offseason after winning just five games in 2014 and John Fox says that Cutler will have to win the job. According to ESPN.com, Fox said that the team will have "an open competition" this year for the quarterback position and while that may be just a way to light a fire under Cutler, it's not chocking after he had a down season. The team flirted with the idea of a trade this offseason and reports from NFL.com and ESPN have the Bears considering Marcus Mariota if he falls to them in the draft.
Earlier in the offseason there were rumors that Matt Forte could be on the trading block, but that doesn't look like it will be happening at all. Michael C. Wright at ESPN Chicago reported that Forte could be on the trading block since he is coming into the final year of his deal and will be 30 this year, but the Bears are not shopping Forte at this time. Last season Forte had a solid season and there is a chance the Bears could look at Todd Gurley or another running back in the draft this year to add depth.
Defensive end Ray McDonald is signing a one-year contract with the team and this comes after he dealt with a sexual assault investigation last year. According to ESPN.com, McDonald was released by the 49ers last December and the deal will be complete once the defensive end passes a physical. The team announced the news on Tuesday at the owners meetings and ESPN reports that chairman George McCaskey and Virginia McCaskey took part in approving the move to sign McDonald.
McDonald has had multiple issues off the field and he met with the Bears to discuss his character issues before they signed him to a deal. McDonald should not have trouble adjusting to the Bears offense, as John Fox brought over his former defensive coordinator from the 49ers. Vic Fangio is the defensive coordinator for the Bears this season and according to ESPN Stats & Info, McDonald played over 3,000 snaps and started 59 games while playing for Fangio in San Francisco.
Mariota has been getting a ton of attention with one month to go until the draft, as most experts predict that the Buccaneers will take Jameis Winston number one overall. The Bears could consider taking Mariota if he falls, but ESPN.com reports that it's likely he goes at number two to the Titans or another team that trades up for him.
Michael C. Wright at ESPN writes that the team also may consider wide receivers with their top 10 pick after trading Brandon Marshall. The Bears signed Eddie Royal, but they may want more depth and they should have options, as Amari Cooper, Kevin White and DeVante Parker are considered some of the top prospects at the position.
