Chicago Bears

Projected Cap Space: -9.5M

Draft Picks: 7

• 1st (No. 15)
• 2nd (No. 57)
• 3rd (No. 89)
• 4th (No. 129, LAR)
• 5th (No. 163)
• 7th (No. 239, PHI)
• 7th (No. 241)

Notable Free Agents: 

• S Jaquan Brisker
• S Kevin Byard
• CB Nahshon Wright
• DB C.J. Gardner-Johnson
• LT Braxton Jones
• DE Dominique Robinson
• OL Ryan Bates
• WR Olamide Zaccheaus
• DT Andrew Billings
• DT Chris Williams
• WR Devin Duvernay

Top Three Needs

1 – Edge Rusher

While Bears DE Montez Sweat hit double-digit sacks in 2025, the rest of the roster combined for just 25, putting the Bears firmly in the bottom half of the league in that category. They also ranked 22nd in the NFL in pressure rate. Bears DC Dennis Allen‘s unit forced 33 turnovers, which was No. 1 in the league, but that papered over some serious flaws on his side of the ball. Chicago ranked 23rd in scoring defense and 29th in total defense, which is a little more indicative of the true state of things. 

Expect the Bears to invest a lot in their defense after getting the offense right last year. They’ll probably start up front with trying to find a complement to Sweat who’s either as good or better. Last year’s swing on DE Dayo Odeyingbo isn’t looking good, as he had one sack in eight games before tearing his Achilles for the second time in his career. Second-year DE Austin Booker had 4.5 sacks which was third on the team and he’s a player the team hopes can take a step forward, but they need more proven commodities. 

2 – Defensive Tackle

The needs for the Bears extend to the interior defensive line as well. Although third-year DT Gervon Dexter pulled down six sacks (ranking second on the team), the overall pass rush from the interior was lacking. The group also had a hand in the Bears ranking 27th in rush defense. With Billings and Williams set for free agency, there’s an opportunity to overhaul the room. 

This was a need last year too and the Bears didn’t ignore it. They signed veteran DT Grady Jarrett to a notable deal after the Falcons cut him. However, Jarrett might be at the point where the name-brand value exceeds the actual production on the field. He’s not necessarily at risk of being cut because his salary is guaranteed but the Bears could upgrade/prepare for the future. 

3 – Safety

The only contract the Bears have on the books for a safety in 2026 right now is a futures deal for Gervarrius Owens. The entire depth chart from last year is scheduled for free agency, including starters Brisker and Byard. Team decision-makers have already said they want Byard back after he led the league with seven interceptions last year, and they’d probably welcome Brisker back too.

Neither will be cheap, however. Teams are often cautious about investing too much at safety, as it’s a position that can usually be solved to an acceptable level with more moderate moves. 

Other moves to be on the alert for include linebacker, if the team opts to make some big salary-related shakeups there. The offense seems pretty well set but given HC Ben Johnson‘s dedication to that side of the ball, there could be some opportunistic additions if the fit is too strong to ignore. The running back room dramatically exceeded outside expectations last year but that remains a position to watch. 

One Big Question

Can Ben Johnson & Caleb Williams build on their success?

There was tons of long-term optimism for the pairing of Johnson and Williams in Chicago last year. Johnson arrived from the division-rival Lions with three straight finishes as a top-five offense — as strong a track record as you could hope for from a first-time head coach. Williams’ star was muddied from a disastrous rookie year, and some of the muck was on his hands. Still, his talent was there for everyone to see. 

Immediate expectations weren’t that high, though. The preseason betting line for the Bears was set at 8.5 games, right around the middle of the pack. They had the lowest odds of the four NFC North teams to win the division. An 0-2 start seemed to back up those doubts, as historically speaking, there’s about a 90 percent chance a team that starts 0-2 will miss the playoffs. 

Instead, the Bears went on an 11-4 run to close the season. They won the NFC North by two games and beat the Packers for the second time on the season after going down three scores. Williams took a big jump forward and the Bears were a top-ten offense on the season. 

There are aspects of this past season that the Bears will be hard-pressed to replicate. Including the playoffs, they were 8-5 in one-score games, earning the moniker “Cardiac Bears.” Leading the league in turnovers was also massive, and the Bears did do their part there by committing just 11 turnovers. Those are hard things to repeat, so the Bears have to improve in other areas, like on defense. 

Johnson and Williams also have to continue to grow their connection and results. When Johnson was hired, Williams said he was eager to be pushed hard by the coaching staff, and Johnson definitely put that sentiment to the test. Johnson is extraordinarily demanding and detail-oriented as a coach, and the results seemed to improve the longer Williams and the offense was exposed to him. 

That has to continue, and there’s reason to think it will even though nothing is a given in the NFL. Williams had a dozen plays that were just jaw-dropping, the type of magic that not many quarterbacks are capable of creating. His completion percentage was just 58.1 percent, so there’s still room for Williams to improve the balance between big play hunting and keeping the offense on track. 

If he does that, the Bears will have the type of golden duo of an offensive mastermind head coach and uber-talented franchise quarterback that so many franchises chase.