The Chicago Bears will go into the 2026 NFL season with a solid foundation on offense and a lot of work to do on defense, which is not what one would normally think when talking about the Bears as a franchise. This is a step in the right direction, at last the team looks to have hit the HC and QB combination correctly, but one more year like last year will clear every doubt, there is still a chance this ends up like the 2018 Bears but it really does not feel like it will go that way.
So, what does Ryan Poles have to work with this offseason?
QB
Starters: Caleb Williams
Backups: Tyson Bagent
Free Agents: Case Keenum
Williams is not a finished product and that is thrilling, if he is able improves his all around accuracy just a bit, he can easily be considered a top 10 QB in the league, that would be unheard of when talking about a Bears QB. Another fascinating bit of news coming out is the interest of other teams wanting to trade for Tyson Bagent, this speaks volumes of what Ben Johnson has done to this offense. I would consider accepting the 2nd round pick that rumors say Bagent would cost, even if its risky not having an established backup, the pick would do wonders to balance the roster quicker. The risk falls completely in the health of Williams and injury is always a possibility. Honestly i would take the risk for a high pick, Bagent might win a game or two if Williams is lost for several games and keep the playoff hopes alive, but other than that I don't see Bagent winning playoff games or winning enough if he plays more than 3 games. I base this on nothing but gut feeling knowing that good QBs dont grow on trees.
RB
Starters: D'Andre Swift, Kyle Monangai
Backups: Roschon Johnson, Deion Hankins, Brittain Brown
Free Agents: Travis Homer
I really wasn't a Swift believer, but even I have to acknowledge he did a really good job. Monangai exceeded my expectations but not by a lot, I knew he could be a very good change of pace runner but when things got tough and the offense needed an answer, he gave it to them on numerous occasions and that is something I didn't expect from him as a rookie, his ability to be a weapon in the short passing game was a very pleasant surprise. Even with these positive results by the duo, I still would like for Poles to try and get someone that can take the lead back position, I wont lose sleep if Swift and Monangai come back as the lead duo but I will worry just a tad due to the lack of experience on the bench, I don't know if Johnson will ever see a carry again, while Hankins and Brown are still question marks. The need is not dyer to warrant using a pick at the draft depending how FA goes, might be wiser to see what the UDFA pool looks like, but in FA there are players that could help better the rotation like Tyler Allgeier, Michael Carter or Kenneth Gainwell, a splash can be made by going for Kenneth Walker III but I don't see that happening, there's more dyer need in other areas and not much to go around to be placing it at RB.
WR
Starters: Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III, D.J. Moore
Backups: Jahdae Walker, Maurice Alexander, J.P. Richardson, Qadir Ismail
Free Agents: Olamide Zaccheaus, Devin Duvernay
The Wideout group is solid, there is still hope that Odunze can get better and be the player expected when picked #9 overall but as of right now he is a good player. Burden III will be expected to make a jump his second year and already has demonstrated top talent. As a backup I expect big things from Walker, he has been reliable when needed. There have been talks about trading Moore, and just like Bagent, I wouldn't mind hearing offers. The offense can survive without Moore bearing any serious injurie, Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson have shown they can thrive even when not having their full arsenal of weapons at their disposal. Very grateful for the services of Duvernay as a returner but that area needs to get better, it might be with Alexander taking the spot or bringing someone else. Also, there is a need for a slot receiver with Zaccheaus gone I wouldn't consider bringing him back, might be good to use a late draft pick to help fill the need. FAs that catch my eye are Greg Dortch or Jahan Dotson. Others for depth are Juaun Jennings, Jake Bobo and Jalen Coker.
Update: D.J. Moore got traded. Unfortunately it was a big possibility it would happen, Moore is still a good player but got pushed by good and young talent already on the roster. Welp, what we get then? What's that? Poles swapped a 5th rounder for a 2nd? AND got them to take ALL of Moore's contract? That is one big move. If Poles gets ANYTHING for Edmunds and some moves on draft day, this puts the Bears in a great spot to fix the defense and Oline for this season.
TE
Starters: Colston Loveland, Cole Kmet
Backups: Stephen Carlson, Nicola Kalinic
Free Agents: Durham Smythe
Did the Bears get the right TE or what? Great to have Loveland as Williams security blanket AND as a run blocker while still having Kmet to go double set TE formations and be able to pass or run the ball effectively. There is minimal moves to be made here, they can go and bring some new blood to see if they hit the lottery with a UDFA. In FA, it would be fun if they brought in Chig Okonkwo or David Njoku.
OT
Starters: Darnell Wright, Ozzy Trapilo
Backups: Kiran Amegadjie, Theo Benedet
Free Agents: Braxton Jones
Losing Trapilo sucks so much, the Oline would be solid if it weren't for his injury, now Poles and Johnson will have to really think about what to do here when the focus should have been all in on defense. Bringing back Benedet is a band aid, Amegadjie is a huge question mark, considering re-signing Jones is a coinflip that would only minimize the salary cap without giving solution to the problem. This really sucks. I honestly don't know what to choose to do here, they would either have to spending big money in FA or draft with a high pick, it would be wonderful if Poles and Johnson felt confident to fix this with a 3rd or 4th rounder but its a toss with probably worse odds than playing Benedet. So should they pay big for Rasheed Walker? Wait and see if Trent Williams is available? Make a trade? This is just tough to decide.
OG
Starters: Joe Thuney, Jonah Jackson
Backups: Luke Newman, Kyle Hergel
Free Agents: Jordan McFadden
Nothing much to say about this group aside that it looks solid with Thuney and Jackson returning and having Newman as backup. I would really consider bringing back McFadden by just how he looked against the Rams in the playoffs, that easily made him make more money here or elsewhere, preferably here.
OC
Starters: Drew Dalman
Backups: None
Free Agents: Ryan Bates, Ricky Stromberg, Trey Hill
Dalman did a great job holding the center spot, having Newman as possible depth at the position is good to have. If Newman can show some dominance in the preseason this year, it would make me very happy. If that is the case, a late draft pick or UDFA for depth would be good, even if they decide to bring back either Bates or Stromberg.
Update: Drew Dalman retired... *sigh*. Again, from having a solid OLine to having to fill two holes now. This problem looks to have a faster and easier solution than Tackle. Tyler Biadasz is in for a visit, they can throw Dalman's money and some more to Tyler Linderbaum or draft maybe another Tyler in the 3rd or 4th round. I would prefer they bring in Biadasz, if healthy, and keep evaluating Luke Newman to see is he is center material. Really need to place the majority of the assets to the defensive side.
DT
Starters: Gervon Dexter Jr., Grady Jarrett
Backups: None
Free Agents: Andrew Billings, Chris Williams
Honestly I don't know what the problem was with the Dline, but the lack of pressure was so frustrating, it didn't help that even the run game was a big problem at times. It might just be that the personnel doesn't match the coach. This is a big problem but fortunately its fixable with the results the offensive side of the ball had last year, the funds can go directly to finding the right players for the coach. Jarret is a good veteran to have but age has caught up to him and he cant generate pressure by himself. Dexter seems to not fit a role here, he has been named in trade talks, there are other pieces to move around to fill his spot if he is gone and this years draft has very promising talent, so its not out of the question to hear what other teams offer for him. If the price is right, I wouldn't mind bringing back Billings and Williams for depth, I wouldn't want Billings to be the starting option, he needs to come out of the bench fresh to make the impactful plays that he is still capable of executing.
DE
Starters: Montez Sweat, Austin Booker
Backups: Dayo Odeyingbo, Shemar Turner, Jamree Kromah, Jonathan Garvin, Jeremiah Martin
Free Agents: Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, Daniel Hardy, Dominique Robinson
There are a lot of bodies in this group but not enough answers. Sweat has been serviceable but not to warrant the money invested in him, its still a wait and see if his play grows with better talent at the other DE spot. Booker is a good depth player but he isn't a starter caliber player yet and its no sure thing he will be. Odeyingbo is still a wait and see project in this team due to getting injured too early in the year, same thing with Turner who was converted to DE (thank the football gods), but got injured too early in the process to know if it would work, but I hope Allen sticks to it and lets him play as a DE once he returns. The Bears could easily go all in on a big name in free agency, if it weren't for the injury to Trapilo that leaves a big hole at LT (and now Dalmans retirement), so this makes me think twice at throwing all the money to Trey Hendrickson or trading for Maxx Crosby. Now what I would expect them to do is go through the options of serviceable and not very expensive veterans like Cameron Jordan, Khalil Mack or Joey Bosa, maybe younger players like E.J. Epenesa, Kwitiy Paye or even Jaelan Phillips, while drafting a player with a high pick.
LB
Starters: T.J. Edwards, Tremaine Edmunds
Backups: Noah Sewell, Ruben Hyppolite II, Hephi Sewell
Free Agents: D'Marco Jackson, Ty Summers, Amen Ogbongbemiga
Linebacker is becoming a problem, it might be because of the lack of help provided by the Dline that makes the LBs and Safety's need to clean their mess up, and honestly they did most of the time which opened holes in the secondary as a result. So, the outcome of Edmunds being a cap casualty is no surprise, it might not be his fault completely, but the money is needed elsewhere. Edwards will be a question mark returning from injury, also he is getting old. Behind them, the Sewell brothers might be serviceable in run support and special teams but not as true high caliber starters. Hyppolite II hasn't played enough to be a factor. They need to bring back Jackson, this group is too thin to leave it without players that got a chance to play and played well as a result. Heck, Demario Davis wants to come over? be my guest. Draft capital will have to be spent here, probably better to be in the middle rounds depending how free agency fairs.
CB
Starters: Jaylon Johnson, Kyler Gordon, Tariq Stevenson
Backups: Terrell Smith, Josh Blackwell, Zah Frazier, Dontae Manning, Dallis Flowers
Free Agents: Nashon Wright, Jaylon Jones, Nick McCloud
For the last two years, the defense showed poor performance when one of Johnson or Gordon where out, although Gordon's absence made it more palpable. I wouldn't bring back Wright, his style of play is very risk-reward, very similar to how the Cowboys played their corners in Travon Diggs and Daron Bland. I still find Stevenson to be very serviceable when his head is in the game. Unfortunately, it has not been possible to evaluate the growth of Smith and Frazier due to lack of playing time, so it makes not bringing Wright back risky. I wouldn't want to use draft capital in this group this year and would prefer to see what the FA market value is at with guys like Cordale Flott, Alontae Taylor, Josh Jobe, Martin Emerson or Ja'Quan McMillan. Also, there's Asante Samuel Jr. and Kader Kohou depending on injury status.
S
Starters: None
Backups: Gervarius Owens, Dominique Hampton
Free Agents: Kevin Byard, Jaquan Brisker, C.J. Gardner-Johnson Jr., Jonathan Owens, Elijah Hicks
Safety is a big need, no way in denying it. Byrd and Brisker played very well this year and could be considered of bringing them back due to knowledge of the defense, but Byrd's age and Brisker's injury history and cost make it not ideal. On the other hand, I would definitely bring back Gardner-Johnson Jr. who is younger and has deep knowledge of what coach Allen wants, he is not a Kyler Gordon type of player at NB but is very helpful as a SS type. There's options on drafting one at the middle rounds along with LB while also picking up a player at the FA pool like Kamren Curl, Coby Bryant or Alohi Gilman.
ST
K: Cairo Santos
P: Tory Taylor
LS: Luke Elkin
Santos has been looking better accuracy wise, and with the new use of a kicking ball that is making everyone add like 10 yrd of distance to their kicks, Santos is now considered to be a 50+ yard accurate kicker now, so there is that. Taylor's 4th round value is not living up to expectations, he isn't the worst punter and still has a chance to get better, he has shown flashes, but not at a consistent basis. I really don't remember who the LS was this season.
Poles has a lot of work to do to upgrade the defense, which right now is in shambles if not for the corner group. I am still waiting for the day that the Bears will have enough talent on their roster to be granted compensatory picks, but its still not that day, Poles will most probably need to spend more than he will lose to free agency. Last year between draft and FA, the offensive players gathered made everything click in the right direction, while the moves made on defense did not work or got stalled. With some luck, some returning pieces brought las year will make a difference and the new players to come this season will result in an improved defense just like what happened to the offense last year, that would result in a scary team, a fun team, that will probably will go against some tougher opponents this upcoming season.
