The 2025-26 NFL season has come to an end, meaning every team is now heading into offseason mode. Some teams will be tasked with turning the ship around, figuring out how to bounce back after a disappoint season this year.<\/p>\n
Luckily for the Bears, they\u2019re not one of those teams. After an 11-6 season and an NFC North championship, they\u2019ve established themselves as a team on the rise and a top contender in the NFC. Now, the goal isn\u2019t to \u201cfix\u201d the roster like it was last year, but how they can enhance what they already have to continue their ascent.<\/p>\n
To take a look at what their offseason could look like, I decided to rank each position between offense and defense to determine what the Bears\u2019 biggest needs are heading into the 2026 offseason. Additionally, I\u2019ve included the top free agents at each position, along with a few draft prospects I like in the range I anticipate Chicago will consider addressing the position.<\/p>\n
Caleb WilliamsTyson BagentCase Keenum (UFA)<\/p>\n
With Caleb Williams coming off a strong year and Tyson Bagent locked down as a reliable second-string, the Bears won\u2019t need much investment at the quarterback position, if any at all. The only question is which player will end up being the third quarterback they keep on the roster with Case Keenum slated to hit free agency.<\/p>\n
Daniel JonesMalik WillisAaron RodgersRussell WilsonCarson WentzMarcus MariotaLuke Altmyer, Illinois (Round 5-6)Cole Payton, North Dakota State (Round 5-6)Joe Fagnano, UConn (Round 7-UDFA)Mark Gronowski, Iowa (Round 7-UDFA)Drew DalmanRyan Bates (UFA)<\/p>\n
With Drew Dalman coming off a Pro Bowl season, it\u2019s fair to say the first year of his tenure with the Bears was a success. He fit perfectly in Ben Johnson\u2019s wide zone-oriented run scheme, giving Chicago\u2019s interior a mobile, refined center to anchor around. Adding a true center seems unlikely this offseason.<\/p>\n
Tyler LinderbaumConnor McGovernCade MaysEthan PocicSean RhyanPat Coogan, Indiana (Round 5-6)Jager Burton, Kentucky (Round 5-6)Pete Nygra, Louisville (Round 7-UDFA)Connor Tollison, Missouri (Round 7-UDFA)Colston LovelandCole Kmet (cut\/trade candidate)Stephen Carlson (futures)Nikola Kalinic (futures)Qadir Ismail (futures)Durham Smythe (UFA)<\/p>\n
The Bears ranked sixth in the NFL<\/a> in 12 personnel usage in 2025, and they were fifth in 13 personnel. Ben Johnson\u2019s reliance on multi-tight end sets was on display in Detroit, and it carried over to Chicago. Despite a reasonable out in his contract, that\u2019s why I think they keep Cole Kmet. They could need a new TE3 if Durham Smythe leaves in free agency, though.<\/p>\n Kyle PittsDallas GoedertTravis KelceZach ErtzCade OttonTanner Koziol, Houston (Round 5-6)Dan Villari, Syracuse (Round 5-6)John Michael Gyllenborg, Wyoming (Round 6-7)Jaren Kanak, Oklahoma (Round 6-7)Nate Boerkircher, Texas A&M (Round 6-7)Joe ThuneyJonah JacksonLuke NewmanJordan McFadden (RFA)<\/p>\n Chicago\u2019s play at both guard positions was night and day compared to 2024. Jonah Jackson bounced back to his pre-injury ways and gave them a reliable right guard, and Joe Thuney\u2026.what else can be said about the inaugural NFL Protector of the Year<\/a> that hasn\u2019t been already? The Bears could pursue a versatile interior lineman who can play both center and guard to serve as a backup for Drew Dalman, though.<\/p>\n David EdwardsEd IngramJoel BitonioAlijah Vera-TuckerWyatt TellerBilly Schrauth, Notre Dame (Round 5-6)Garrett DiGiorgio, UCLA (Round 5-6)Keagen Trost, Missouri (Round 5-6)Delby Lemieux, Dartmouth (Round 6-7)Davion Carter, Texas Tech (Round 6-7)D\u2019Andre SwiftKyle MonangaiRoschon JohnsonDeion HankinsBrittain Brown (futures)Travis Homer (UFA)<\/p>\n Kyle Monangai was a home-run pick by Ryan Poles in the seventh round, as he pairs well with a resurgent D\u2019Andre Swift to form one of the better backfield duos in the NFL. Swift is a free agent after 2026, so do the Bears get ahead of it a year early and take a swing at running back? My guess is they just take a Day 3 flyer to compete with Roschon Johnson for a roster spot.<\/p>\n Javonte WilliamsBreece HallKenneth Walker IIIJK DobbinsRico DowdleKenneth GainwellNajee HarrisRachaad WhiteJonah Coleman, Washington (Round 2-3)Jadarian Price, Notre Dame (Round 2-3)Emmett Johnson, Nebraska (Round 2-3)Jam Miller, Alabama (Round 4-5)Adam Randall, Clemson (Round 4-5)Roman Hemby, Indiana (Round 4-5)Seth McGowan, Kentucky (Round 6-7)Chip Trayanum, Toledo (Round 7-UDFA)Rome OdunzeLuther Burden IIIDJ Moore (trade candidate)Jahdae WalkerMaurice Alexander (futures)JP Richardson (futures)Olamide Zaccheaus (UFA)Devin Duvernay (UFA)<\/p>\n The state of the Bears\u2019 wide receiver room will likely depend on whether they keep DJ Moore. They free up a lot of money and touches for their young targets if they deal Moore, but he\u2019s also a proven veteran in a room that doesn\u2019t have one otherwise. I expect them to draft a receiver, regardless; a true speed weapon would be the missing piece the passing attack needs.<\/p>\n George PickensJauan JenningsAlec PierceWan\u2019Dale RobinsonRashid ShaheedDeebo SamuelMike EvansJosh Cameron, Baylor (Round 3-4)Kevin Coleman Jr., Missouri (Round 4-5)Eric Rivers, Georgia Tech (Round 4-5)Barion Brown, LSU (Round 5-6)Tyren Montgomery, John Carroll (Round 6-7)Eli Heidenreich, Navy (Round 6-7)Kendrick Law, Kentucky (Round 6-7)Kaden Wetjen, Iowa (Round 6-7)Michael Wortham, Montana (Round 7-UDFA)Jaylon JohnsonKyler GordonTyrique StevensonTerell SmithJosh BlackwellZah FrazierDalli Flowers (futures)Dontae Manning (futures)Nahshon Wright (UFA)Jaylon Jones (UFA)<\/p>\n We didn\u2019t see much of the Bears\u2019 secondary at full strength in 2025. Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon, two impact starters on big contracts, missed plenty of time during the year with their respective injuries. Nahshon Wright proved to be a fantastic replacement in his Pro Bowl breakout year, but he might be too expensive for Chicago to retain. I wouldn\u2019t expect a big signing at cornerback, but a draft pick to push Tyrique Stevenson for a starting role isn\u2019t out of the question.<\/p>\n Jaylen WatsonJamel DeanAlontae TaylorJosh JobeCordale FlottMontaric BrownD\u2019Angelo Ponds, Indiana (Round 2)Keith Abney II, Arizona State (Round 2)Chandler Rivers, Duke (Round 3-4)Devin Moore, Florida (Round 3-4)Hezekiah Masses, California (Round 3-4)Avery Smith, Toledo (Round 5-6)Andre Fuller, Toledo (Round 5-6)Charles Demmings, Stephen F. Austin (Round 5-6)Ozzy TrapiloDarnell WrightTheo BenedetKiran AmegadjieBraxton Jones (UFA)<\/p>\n How high offensive tackle ranks on a list of the Bears\u2019 needs depends on what the medicals say on Ozzy Trapilo\u2019s torn patellar tendon. If they sense there could be lasting damage, it would make sense for Chicago to draft a tackle early to pair with All-Pro Darnell Wright. Theo Benedet is great depth, though, so if Trapilo can come back to full strength, having those two compete for the starting left tackle spot could be good enough.<\/p>\n Rasheed WalkerBraden SmithCam RobinsonJonah WilliamsRob HavensteinJermaine EluemunorMonroe Freeling, Georgia (Round 1)Blake Miller, Clemson (Round 2)Caleb Tiernan, Northwestern (Round 2-3)Max Iheanachor, Arizona State (Round 2-3)Isaiah World, Oregon (Round 2-3)Austin Barber, Florida (Round 3-4)JC Davis, Illinois (Round 3-4)Aamil Wagner, Notre Dame (Round 5-6)Travis Burke, Memphis (Round 6-7)Diego Pounds, Ole Miss (Round 6-7)T.J. EdwardsTremaine Edmunds (cut\/trade candidate)Noah SewellAmen OgbongbemigaRuben Hyppolite IIDominique Hampton (futures)Nephi Sewell (futures)D\u2019Marco Jackson (UFA)Jalen Reeves-Maybin (UFA)<\/p>\n Should the Bears release or trade Tremaine Edmunds this offseason, they would free up $15 million in cap space<\/a>. Considering how strapped for space they are before making restructures to existing contracts<\/a>, this move makes a lot of sense. T.J. Edwards had a disappointed first year in his new contract, too, so it could make sense for Chicago to upgrade at linebacker.<\/p>\n Devin LloydBobby WagnerEric WisonKaden EllissDevin BushAlex AnzaloneDemario DavisQuay WalkerNakobe DeanDevin WhiteJosiah Trotter, Missouri (Round 2)Anthony Hill Jr., Texas (Round 2)Jake Golday, Cincinnati (Round 2)Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech (Round 3-4)Deontae Lawson, Alabama (Round 3-4)Lander Barton, Utah (Round 3-4)Kyle Louis, Pittsburgh (Round 3-4)Bryce Boettcher, Oregon (Round 4-5)Aiden Fisher, Indiana (Round 4-5)Red Murdock, Buffalo (Round 5-6)Jimmy Rolder, Michigan (Round 5-6)Owen Heinecke, Oklahoma (Round 6-7)Gervarrius Owens (futures)Kevin Byard (UFA)Jaquan Brisker (UFA)C.J. Gardner-Johnson (UFA)Jonathan Owens (UFA)Elijah Hicks (UFA)<\/p>\n That\u2019s right: there isn\u2019t a single safety under an active contract on the Bears\u2019 roster. That in itself could make safety their biggest need, though I would expect they retain a couple of their impending free agents. Kevin Byard makes the most sense coming off an All-Pro season, but factoring age into the mix, Jaquan Brisker could get a bigger contract. C.J. Gardner-Johnson\u2019s versatility could make him a valuable depth retention, too.<\/p>\n Coby BryantBryan CookKamren CurlJalen ThompsonJaylinn HawkinsGeno StoneReed BlankenshipDillon Thieneman, Oregon (Round 1-2)Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo (Round 1-2)A.J. Haulcy, LSU (Round 2)Kamari Ramsey, USC (Round 2-3)Zakee Wheatley, Penn State (Round 2-3)Genesis Smith, Arizona (Round 3-4)Jalon Kilgore, South Carolina (Round 3-4)Louis Moore, Indiana (Round 3-4)Michael Taaffe, Texas (Round 4-5)Miles Scott, Illinois (Round 4-5)Montez SweatAustin BookerDayo OdeyingboJonathan Garvin (futures)Jamree Kromah (futures)Jeremiah Martin (futures)Dominique Robinson (UFA)Joe Tryon-Shoyinka (UFA)Daniel Hardy (RFA)<\/p>\n Simply put, the Bears didn\u2019t generate nearly enough pressure off the edge for what they\u2019re paying for. Montez Sweat reached the double-digit sack mark and had a solid season against the run, though his pressure numbers reflected a good EDGE2, rather than the EDGE1 money he\u2019s making. Dayo Odeyingbo was a nonfactor before getting hurt, and though Austin Booker showed growth after his injury, he\u2019s not a three-down starter yet.<\/p>\n Trey HendricksonJaelan PhillipsOdafe OwehKhalil MackJoey BosaJoseph OssaiK\u2019Lavon ChaissonJadeveon ClowneyAkheem Mesidor, Miami (Round 1)Keldric Faulk, Auburn (Round 1)Cashius Howell, Texas A&M (Round 1)T.J. Parker, Clemson (Round 1-2)Zion Young, Missouri (Round 1-2)R Mason Thomas, Oklahoma (Round 2-3)Malachi Lawrence, UCF (Round 2-3)Derrick Moore, Michigan (Round 3-4)Dani Dennis-Sutton, Penn State (Round 3-4)LT Overton, Alabama (Round 3-4)Gabe Jacas, Illinois (Round 3-4)Max Llewellyn, Iowa (Round 4-5)Ethan Burke, Texas (Round 4-5)Gervon DexterGrady JarrettShemar TurnerAndrew Billings (UFA)Chris Williams (UFA)<\/p>\n The Bears didn\u2019t end up getting as good of a year as they wanted out of their interior defensive line. Gervon Dexter remains an impactful pass rusher but a liability against the run. Grady Jarrett struggled in his first season with Chicago, and Andrew Billings was a nonfactor up the middle. The X-factor is Shemar Turner, a second-round pick who had a slow start to his NFL career amidst switches inside and outside before getting hurt. The outlook of the Bears\u2019 defensive tackle room would look better if Turner stays inside and develops over the offseason, but they need to make moves at the position, regardless.<\/p>\n John Franklin-MyersLevi OnwuzurikeSheldon RankinsChristian WilkinsCalais CampbellSebastian Joseph-DayLogan HallPeter Woods, Clemson (Round 1)Kayden McDonald, Ohio State (Round 1)Caleb Banks, Florida (Round 1-2)Christen Miller, Georgia (Round 1-2)Lee Hunter, Texas Tech (Round 1-2)Domonique Orange, Iowa State (Round 2-3)Darrell Jackson Jr., Florida State (Round 2-3)Gracen Halton, Oklahoma (Round 3-4)Tim Keenan III, Alabama (Round 3-4)Zane Durant, Penn State (Round 3-4)Chris McClellan, Missouri (Round 4-5)DeMonte Capehart, Clemson (Round 4-5)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The 2025-26 NFL season has come to an end, meaning every team is now heading into offseason mode.…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":740843,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2070],"tags":[374,692,391,743,2672,742,2493,7,53724,6,10682],"class_list":{"0":"post-740842","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-chicago-bears","8":"tag-bears","9":"tag-chicago","10":"tag-chicago-bears","11":"tag-chicago-bears-draft","12":"tag-chicago-bears-free-agency","13":"tag-chicago-bears-roster","14":"tag-chicagobears","15":"tag-football","16":"tag-from-the-desk-of","17":"tag-nfl","18":"tag-notes"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nfl\/116042084135542707","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/740842","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=740842"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/740842\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/740843"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=740842"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=740842"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=740842"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}