It has been a busy offseason already for the Chicago Bears, starting with the coaching search that brought Ben Johnson to Halas Hall.
Johnson followed by piecing together his coaching staff. He also has been active with general manager Ryan Poles in setting a vision as the team looks to make major roster upgrades over the next two months.
That vision turned into action this week as the Bears made two trades to acquire starting offensive linemen. On Tuesday, they agreed to send a sixth-round pick to the Los Angeles Rams for guard Jonah Jackson. The next day, they connected on an even bigger swing, dealing a 2026 fourth-round pick to the Kansas City Chiefs for two-time first-team All-Pro guard Joe Thuney.
Now free agency is on the immediate horizon. And the NFL draft isn’t far off either.
The Bears will enter the new league year Wednesday with more than three dozen roster spots to fill with veteran free agents, the 2025 draft class plus undrafted rookies. That’s a lot of action ahead for Johnson and Poles. The Bears are armed with ample salary-cap space to attack free agency and still have seven selections in their draft wallet as they try to close the gap on the rest of the NFC North.
Here’s a look at their five biggest positions of need and potential additions at each in both free agency and the draft.
1. Defensive tackle
The absence of Andrew Billings, who missed the final nine games last season with a torn pectoral muscle, was notable as the Bears run defense dipped from No. 1 in the NFL in 2023 to 28th. Billings should be back for spring practices and ready to roll in Dennis Allen’s defense.
That leaves the Bears looking for additional talent and depth on the interior of the defensive line, particularly an explosive tackle with proven ability to puncture the pocket as a pass-rushing threat.
Gervon Dexter showed growth in his second season and deserves a longer look, but the Bears likely will add competition. With a deep draft class at the position, Poles doesn’t have to get out over his skis during free agency if the market doesn’t suit him.
“You can have philosophical beliefs in how you build a football team and how you prioritize,” Poles said at the combine. “But the supply has to match the needs. And those opportunities have to present themselves at the right time. We’re starting to piece that puzzle together.”
- Top-shelf free agents: Milton Williams, Levi Onwuzurike
- Bargain bin: Jarran Reed, Javon Hargrave, Poona Ford, Bobby Brown, Jeremiah Ledbetter
- Draft possibilities at No. 10: Mason Graham
- Day 2 considerations: Walter Nolen, Derrick Harmon, Joshua Farmer, T.J. Sanders, Darius Alexander, Alfred Collins
- Others to watch: Rylie Mills, Jamaree Caldwell, Junior Tafuna
2. Edge rusher
After landing a four-year, $98 million extension with the Bears in November 2023, Montez Sweat had only 5½ sacks last season and wasn’t the every-game impact player the defense needs him to be. The Bears finished in the top half of the NFL with 40 sacks but never established a complementary presence for Sweat and will try to add both high-end talent and reliable depth at defensive end.
Austin Booker will enter his second season looking to make a significant developmental leap. Dominique Robinson, a 2022 fifth-round pick, is entering a contract year and battling for a job. The Bears need to identify a legitimate No. 2 pass-rushing option while also fortifying the position’s depth.
- Top-shelf free agents: Khalil Mack, Josh Sweat, Haason Redick, Dayo Odeyingbo, Malcolm Koonce
- Bargain bin: Baron Browning, Azeez Ojulari, Dante Fowler, Chauncey Golston, Dennis Gardeck, Charles Omenihu, Carl Lawson, Joseph Ossai, Josh Uche, Payton Turner
- Draft possibilities at No. 10: Mykel Williams, James Pearce Jr., Mike Green, Shemar Stewart
- Day 2 considerations: Donovan Ezeiruaku, Jack Sawyer, Josaiah Stewart, Princely Umanmielen
- Others to watch: Jordan Burch, Jared Ivey, Quandarrius Robinson, Ahmed Hassanein, Tyler Baron
3. Running back
In his first season after joining the Bears on a three-year, $24 million contract, D’Andre Swift was solid but far from spectacular. He averaged only 3.8 yards per carry but totaled 1,345 yards from scrimmage with six touchdowns. Johnson has familiarity with Swift from Detroit, where the two spent three seasons together, including 2022 when Johnson was the Lions play caller. So there at least should be a vision to make things work in 2025.
The Bears, though, might be seeking a more physical, downhill runner to elevate their offense while also hunting for a young big-play threat to enliven the running game. Draft experts are high on the talent and depth at the position, so the Bears will seriously consider dipping into that pot.
It also remains to be seen what the vision for Roschon Johnson will be as he enters his third NFL season and Johnson and his offensive staff plot a new course.
- Top-shelf free agents: Najee Harris
- Bargain bin: Nick Chubb, AJ Dillon
- Draft possibilities at No. 10: Ashton Jeanty
- Day 2 considerations: Omarion Hampton, Quinshon Judkins, TreVeyon Henderson, Kaleb Johnson, Devin Neal
- Others to watch: Cam Skattebo, Trevor Etienne, RJ Harvey, Ollie Gordon II, Montrell Johnson Jr.
4. Offensive line
When the week began, the offensive line was the Bears’ biggest position of need. But that quickly changed with the additions of Jackson and Thuney, two proven veterans who arrive as near shoo-ins to be Week 1 starters.
The Bears still must add depth to that room. And with an eye on the future, they must sort through the long-term contract situations for both new additions while looking for young talent to develop.
It’s quite possible the Bears will enter the 2025 season with four new starters up front. Seeking competition for incumbent left tackle Braxton Jones is on the radar, and the Bears must address the center position in front of second-year quarterback Caleb Williams.
Bottom line: Poles and Johnson know Williams’ development starts with creating comfort and stability in front of him. This week’s trades registered as a positive start.
Left guard Teven Jenkins, a 2021 second-round pick, isn’t expected back. Matt Pryor, who made 14 starts at right guard and one at right tackle last season, could return as a versatile backup.
- Top-shelf free agents: Ronnie Stanley (tackle), Cam Robinson (tackle), Drew Dalman (center), Alaric Jackson (tackle), Ryan Kelly (center)
- Bargain bin: Coleman Shelton (center), Dan Skipper (tackle), Josh Myers (center)
- Draft possibilities at No. 10: Will Campbell (tackle), Armand Membou (tackle), Grey Zabel (guard/center), Kelvin Banks (tackle)
- Day 2 considerations: Josh Simmons (tackle), Donovan Jackson (guard), Jared Wilson (center), Josh Conerly Jr. (tackle), Ozzy Trapilo (tackle), Jonah Savaiinaea (guard), Jonah Monheim (center)
- Others to watch: Charles Grant (tackle), Cameron Williams (tackle), Tate Ratledge (guard), Marcus Mbow (guard), Clay Webb (guard/center)
5. Tight end
Cole Kmet is the only notable returner at a position that is expected to play a big part in Johnson’s offense. Stephen Carlson (broken collarbone) spent all of last season on injured reserve, and the Bears signed Jordan Murray and Joel Wilson to reserve/future contracts in January. But there was little question Poles and Johnson would put their heads together to upgrade the position, and Thursday’s deal with eighth-year veteran Durham Smythe adds a proven run blocker to the room.
Kmet has three years left on the extension he signed in 2023 and will carry a $11.6 million salary-cap hit this season. The Bears might not do much premium shopping at tight end in free agency, but they should be looking all around and might need to use both free agency and the draft to stabilize the position.
- Top-shelf free agents: Juwan Johnson, Zach Ertz, Tyler Conklin
- Bargain bin: Mike Gesicki, Harrison Bryant, Austin Hooper, Mo Alie-Cox, Jordan Akins
- Draft possibilities at No. 10: Tyler Warren, Colston Loveland
- Day 2 considerations: Mason Taylor, Elijah Arroyo, Gunnar Helm
- Others to watch: Luke Lachey, Thomas Fidone II, Jake Briningstool, Jackson Hawes, Jalin Conyers
