The Chicago Bears might have already made their biggest move of the new league year. The trade for Joe Thuney, a first-team All-Pro and Super Bowl champ, could be GM Ryan Poles’ prize acquisition.
The trades for Thuney and fellow guard Jonah Jackson don’t become official until Wednesday afternoon. When free agency truly begins midday Monday, the Bears still are in position to be one of the active teams. Last year, it was running back D’Andre Swift. In 2023, linebackers Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards had agreed-upon deals within a couple of hours.
This year, the Bears still have work to do along the offensive line. They need to improve their pass rush. They have cap space, a quarterback and a new head coach in Ben Johnson who has already made an impact on Poles’ early moves.
With more than six weeks to go until the draft, free agency is about creating an easier, more flexible draft weekend for Poles. It’s about supporting Caleb Williams, getting Johnson and defensive coordinator Dennis Allen what they need, and taking advantage of the resources to build what he’s been seeking — a consistent winner.
Here are five questions to use as a guide for the Bears as free agency is set to begin.
1. What’s the plan at center?
Since the season ended and the shift turned to free agency, everyone has connected the Bears to Falcons center Drew Dalman. They have the opening at the position, he’s the best center available, and they have the cash to make it happen.
However, we don’t know Johnson’s evaluation of Dalman, if the veteran wants to come to Chicago, how plentiful his options will be, or how much Poles is willing to pay.
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It’s certainly possible that within minutes of the start of free agency, this is outdated, and Dalman has agreed to terms. But there are other options, too. Arizona’s Evan Brown started every game last season and played for Johnson in Detroit from 2020-22. Re-signing Coleman Shelton, even as a backup or for competition, could also be in play. Either Brown, Shelton or another veteran not at Dalman’s level could set the Bears up to use a Day 2 pick on a center.
While major resources weren’t used, Poles has still shown an emphasis on center in the past, signing Lucas Patrick in 2022 and trading for Ryan Bates last year. Neither worked — and Bates is still on the roster for 2025, another player to keep in mind when building the offensive line depth chart.
2. How big of a swing is coming at edge rusher?
Myles Garrett is staying in Cleveland, and he might have driven up the price for Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson. Are the Bears willing to pay that kind of contract for a 30-year-old pass rusher? What’s the appetite for spending big for a free agent entering his second contract like Josh Sweat or Dayo Odeyingbo?
The Khalil Mack reunion scenario did not play out as some had hoped. The 34-year-old re-signed with the Chargers on a one-year, $18 million deal.
Speaking of reunions, bringing Chase Young to Chicago after his time with Allen in New Orleans could be in play. If the Bears go that direction, it still certainly keeps open the possibility of an edge rusher in one of the first three picks.
“I would probably argue and say if you get a good pass rusher and you draft a pass rusher, you can’t have enough good ones,” Poles said at the combine. “I think we all watched (the Super Bowl) and that proves to be true.”
3. Interior D-line — same question?
What does Allen think of Gervon Dexter, Andrew Billings and Zacch Pickens? The Bears also got nice contributions from Chris Williams and Byron Cowart. Still, it figures to be a priority to find someone else to push the pocket. The Bears’ pass rush wasn’t nearly consistent enough to simply rely on Dexter continuing to ascend. When Billings went down, the Bears’ defense struggled mightily. Johnson acknowledged it when meeting with reporters at Halas Hall. They could go for depth or they could go for a new starter.
“You really need someone to really puncture the pocket from the interior for the exterior to be successful and productive as well,” Poles said. “So it’s that balance of the two.”
Philadelphia’s Milton Williams would be the home run at defensive tackle. Javon Hargrave was on the Bears’ radar last time he was a free agent. He played in only three games last year before a triceps injury but had seven sacks in 2023. The second round should have promising interior prospects, too. Looking across the defensive line, the Bears are several players away from being able to rotate pass rushers with ease like the Eagles can.
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4. Draft focus at running back?
After opening free agency with the Swift signing last year, the Bears likely aren’t going to be a major player at that position for a veteran. That would be a lot of money at a position that shouldn’t need it.
If the Bears do sign a big-name center and starting defensive linemen, does that continue to set them up to be in the Ashton Jeanty sweepstakes at No. 10? The fewer questions they have on both lines come late April, the more positioned they’d be to add the draft’s best running back. Then again, the same could be said for taking a back in Round 2, which would be the highest the Bears have selected a running back since Matt Forte in 2008.
5. What are underrated positions of need?
The Bears need a No. 3 receiver. Tim Patrick makes a lot of sense to fill that role after 394 receiving yards for Johnson in Detroit last season. Speaking of No. 3s, they should be in the market for a veteran, third-string quarterback.
If Jack Sanborn doesn’t re-sign, that highlights the opening at sam linebacker. They should also be thinking beyond 2025 at that spot, as Edwards is entering the final year of his contract. Similarly, the safety position is intriguing. Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker are both entering contract years. They have depth with Jonathan Owens and Elijah Hicks, so that could be a draft target to find someone who could take over in ’26.
The reported signing of Durham Smythe fills one need at tight end, but is Johnson intrigued by the possibility of another pass catcher to join Cole Kmet? Juwan Johnson and Evan Engram are among the tight ends available to fill that role.
(Top photo of Chase Young: Gus Stark / Getty Images)
