The Chicago Bears took a low-risk swing at offensive tackle when they signed former Cleveland Browns first-round pick Jedrick Wills to a one-year contract on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
But not everyone believes the move will move the needle.<\/p>\n
In a roundup evaluating offseason signings across the league, Bleacher Report handed Chicago a C grade for the addition of Wills<\/a>, a reflection of both the potential upside and the considerable uncertainty that still surrounds the former top-10 pick.<\/p>\n Why Jedrick Wills Is Viewed as a Risk for the Bears<\/p>\n When Wills entered the NFL in 2020 as the No. 10 overall pick, expectations were sky high. The Alabama product was widely viewed as a cornerstone tackle prospect and immediately stepped into a starting role in Cleveland.<\/p>\n But his career never quite reached that level.<\/p>\n Injuries and inconsistent play slowed Wills\u2019 development in recent seasons. He hasn\u2019t played more than eight games in a season since 2022, when he surrendered six sacks across just over 1,100 snaps, according to Pro Football Focus<\/a>.<\/p>\n Things only became more complicated from there. Wills missed the entire 2025 season while continuing to deal with a lingering knee injury that originally surfaced in 2023.<\/p>\n Because of that history, the Bears\u2019 decision to bring him in is being viewed by many analysts as a classic \u201cdart throw\u201d signing, a short-term gamble on a talented player trying to revive his career.<\/p>\n Why the Bears Still Made the Move for Jedrick Wills<\/p>\n From Chicago\u2019s perspective, the signing makes sense.<\/p>\n The Bears still have questions along the offensive line<\/a>, particularly at tackle, where depth and long-term stability remain concerns. Adding a former first-round pick on a one-year deal provides competition without any long-term expectations.<\/p>\n If Wills returns healthy and regains the form that made him such a highly regarded prospect coming out of Alabama, the Bears could end up with a valuable contributor at a premium position<\/a>.<\/p>\n Wills Carries More Upside Than Risk<\/p>\n For a team building around quarterback Caleb Williams, every offensive line decision carries added importance.<\/p>\n