While the pick of Ben Johnson to be the Bears new Head Coach was swiftly made, the organization did their due part of looking at a vast amount of different types of coaching curriculums and get insight of every probable coach in the market offered them and other teams, at the end the Bears decided to go with the easy pick. Needing to find a way to be relevant in the offensive part of the ball, picking up Johnson is the right move, doesn't mean its going to automatically work but its still the road they should take. Now they need to focus on helping their new promising QB, so the logical thing to do is to surround him with all the help he can get to continue to get better, the roster is still a bit far from ready to contend at the moment, but fortunately the Bears organization has enough ammo to get a chance to build a contending team this year.
QB
Starter: Caleb Williams
Depth: Tyson Bagent, Austin Reed
Its impressive that Williams was able to play every game without getting seriously injured with the high amount of hot he got this past season. Hopefully with an improved Oline, Willimas can progress with coach Johnson and get better at the position. Some critics believe the Bears will go for a veteran QB to help Williams to be a better QB, some say Teddy Bridgewatter could be in consideration due to being with the Lions roster last year. I believe they shouldn't force it, Bagent has good talent to be the back up even if he is a young QB, I don't see any QB that could really help Willliams or Bagent with Ben Johnson's playbook, just let the coaches bring them to speed and give them all the reps.
RB
Starter: None
Depth: D'Andre Swift, Roshon Johnson
Swift was a boom or bust running back this past season, that wont do it, the Bears need someone that can gain more than 2 yards with more consistency , not using Johnson for a change of pace affected as well, was it because of injury or coaching strategy? I don't know, but if Johnson cant play then the Bears need someone that can get the tough yards to keep drives alive. I wouldn't consider to bring anyone back to fix this. I would prefer the Bears draft one this years, but if they decide to pick someone in FA, I would consider Javonte Williams DEN, Ty Johnson BUF or Elijah Mitchell SF. If any of these players can push Swift to the role of speedy receiver threat off the backfield and get Johnson back to being the hammer of the group, this unit would look very good. A FB wouldn't hurt.
WR
Starters: Rome Odunze, D.J. Moore
Depth: Tyler Scott, Samori Toure, Maurice Alexander, John Jackson
I expect Odunze to be the WR1 for this team, him and Moore can be enough as a starting duo. Scott was a forgotten man this past season and its a shame because he will still be viewed as a rookie and a question mark if he can pan out, he looked good returning kicks but they brought in Alexander, so he has competition for that as well. I wouldn't bring back Keenan Allen if possible and definitely not for a high price, everyone else I don't believe would make a difference. Picking a mid round receiver in the draft would be ideal. In free agency some say bringing in Tim Patrick would be beneficial, I wouldn't mind if he is considered depth along with someone else like Tyler Johnson LAR or Nick Westbrook-Ikhine TEN. Competition for the slot position like Greg Dorch ARI or Kavontae Turpin DAL, but both are RFA, so not very probable pickups, maybe Elijah Moore CLE, Rondale Moore ATL or Ben Skowronek PIT.
TE
Starter: Cole Kmet
Depth: Joel Wilson, Jordan Murray
Kmet needs to get the ball more this next season, I believe Allen was hogging too much of the game plan, forgetting that there were other players that can do damage with the ball. I agree with Everett being cut. Time to let Marcedes Lewis walk, Stephen Carlson didn't show a lot last year before getting placed in the PS so I dont know how much he could help, but this group is very thin right now. Not sure if there is going to be enough ammo to draft a TE in the mid to last rounds but should be considered. In FA I would just consider someone getting for depth who is a decent blocking TE, getting Kenny Yeobah would be cool just because I ranked him high in my draft board.
OL
Starters: Braxton Jones, Darnell Wright
Depth: Kiran Amegadjie, Theo Benedet, Joshua Myles, Ryan Bates, Bill Murray, Ricky Stromberg, Chris Glaser.
Build it and they will come. This unit needs to be finally addressed as needed. The two tackle positions are good enough to sleep well knowing they "just" need the full iOL group. They could bring back Teven Jenkins, but I seriously worry he will never be healthy enough to play a full season. Matt Pryor I could consider getting back, but specifically for depth to compete with Bates and Murray who dealt with injuries last season and are question marks. Amegadjie needs competition to fight for the swing tackle position, I don't believe he can play G right of the bat. How many players will have to come out the draft for this group is dependent of how well they can fill up holes in FA, there might not be many players in this draft that can play day 1. In FA they could throw the big bags to Trey Smith KC, they can bring in Kevin Zeitler and Dan Skipper DET for depth due to familiarity with Ben Johnson, or target guards Aaron Banks SF, Mekhi Becton PHI or Ben Cleveland BAL. At center they can send another bag to Drew Dalman ATL or go cheaper with Ryan Kelly IND or versatile Evan Brown ARI. I do think bringing in Skipper would be an ideal choice for a veteran swing tackle. I expect this coaching staff to go heavy in size.
DT
Starters: Andrew Billings, Gervon Dexter
Depth: Zach Pickens
Need more depth, losing Billings at mid season really hurt the DL a lot. Wouldn't bring anyone back as a difference maker. Luckily draft experts are raving about this years DT pool of candidates so its a possibility that the Bears get someone to help in this area for needed depth. In FA there's some talent as well if the Bears decide to patch the needs with cash considering guys like Bobby Brown III LAR, Javon Kinlaw NYJ, B.J. Hill CIN, D.J. Jones DEN or Derrick Nnadi KC.
DE
Starters: Montez Sweat
Depth: Austin Booker, Dominique Robinson, Jamree Kromah
There's a need to pair Sweat with another talent at DE. Walker was serviceable but not the answer, so I didn't mind much that he got cut. Its still a wait and see if Booker can be a solution or at least depth. Wouldn't bring anyone back, felt they didn't do enough to be considered. If the Bears try to get it fixed with a pick in the draft, its going to have to be with one of the first three pick, I believe the DE talent is going to fly off the board real quick. In FA there are possible answers like Josh Sweat PHI, Khalil Mack LAC or Joe Tryon-Shoyinka TB.
LB
Starters: T.J. Edwards, Tremaine Edmunds
Depth: Noah Sewell, Carl Jones
Edwards can play as long as he has help in the trenches to not have to navigate through the crowd, Edmunds is a good starter but is paid to play like a superstar which he isn't doing. Sewell is a good special teamer but I would consider bringing back Jack Sanborn as insurance. Could consider drafting a LB late in the draft but other than finding someone to replace the starters in the future, there really isn't a need right now unless one of Edwards or Edmunds is cut or traded. Some depth can be considered in FA or try to reset a contract which would be risky, but with talent like Nick Bolton KC, Derrick Barnes DET or Ernest Jones SEA, it could happen?
CB
Starters: Jaylon Johnson, Kyler Gordon, Tyrique Stevenson
Depth: Terell Smith
I'm a Stevenson believer, he is no CB1 but he doesn't have to be as long as Johnson is in the field, Stevenson is good enough to be Robin and can get get better with coaching. It wouldn't hurt to bring back Josh Blackwell and Jaylon Jones as backups. With a set secondary, I would skip using a pick on a CB on this draft. The Bears could try and get better depth in FA, but if they want to substitute Stevenson they could consider Asante Samuel LAC or Paulson Adebo NO.
S
Starters: Kevin Byrd III, Jaquan Brisker
Depth: Jonathan Owens, Elijah Hicks, Alex Cook
Although I do consider Byard and Brisker as starters, Byard is getting old and Brisker cant stay healthy. The backups are reliable and I would consider bringing back Tarvarius Moore and Adrian Colbert. There are some intriguing safeties in this draft but I'm not sure if using a pick on one would benefit. There are solutions in FA, but giving big amounts to a safety when there are other needs in more critical areas wouldn't be wise.
Special Teams
K - Cairo Santos
P - Tory Taylor
LS - None
As much as I like Santos as a player, he is limited as a kicker, it would not hurt to get someone to compete against him that can make the long field goals look easier. Taylor did OK this past season, I expect him to be more comfortable in his second season and do better. I really don't care who is the LS, I enjoyed Patrick Scales energy, Scott Daly did his job, bring either.
Now, with all this said, using On Sports Tap spreadsheet (https://ontapsportsnet.com/nfl/fix-the-chicago-bears-roster-a-customizable-document-2025-edition?s=03) and using a mock draft simulator, the roster would look something like this,
This roster would give the offense fresh legs, an OL with proven talent that if it should fail would fall back into known territory with its depth, the receivers will depend on Odunze, Moore and Kmet as it should. The defense gets depth in the interior line, a proven talent and a high prospect to pair with Sweat to get to the QB, and an already established back seven that should get much needed help with the improved pass rush. So, there is a chance this roster looks much better for next season.
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