With the 2025 NFL league year rapidly approaching, speculation surrounding free agency and the draft is beginning to heat up.
As the Chicago Bears look to capitalize on the hiring of hotshot new head coach Ben Johnson, the team is loaded with the cap space and draft capital to build a contender. Despite only winning five games in the 2024 season, the Bears possess the talent to start competing quickly.
However, the current roster leaves a lot to be desired. Specifically, the team desperately needs help in the trenches. Fortunately, many high-impact players will be up for grabs in free agency and this year’s draft. With the correct combination of moves, general manager Ryan Poles can set up the Bears to finally make some noise in 2025.
Free Agent Targets
HIGHEST PRIORITY
The Bears project to have about $66 million in cap space this spring. After allowing a league-high 68 sacks, the offensive line should be high on the list of priorities in free agency for Chicago.
Trey Smith: G, Kansas City Chiefs
Coming off his first Pro Bowl season, the 25-year-old Smith has played nearly every offensive snap in Kansas City for each of the past four seasons.
In 2024, he didn’t allow a single sack. Smith would be a veteran presence on the Bears line and would slot in as an immediate starter at right guard. The combination of his age and prowess will make him a hot commodity on the open market, and he’ll come with a heavy price tag.
Mekhi Becton: G, Philadelphia Eagles
If the Bears strike out on Smith, Super Bowl champion Mekhi Becton is a great fallback.
Another young standout, he’d fit the Bears’ timeline nicely and slot in as an immediate upgrade at guard in Chicago. His six-foot-seven frame combined with his prior experience at tackle (during his time with the New York Jets) make him an intriguing option for the Bears.
Drew Dalman: C, Atlanta Falcons
An injury sidelined Dalman for eight games in 2024, but he remains the best center available.
He’s been Atlanta’s starter since 2022, and he’s cemented himself as a top run blocker at the position. The 26-year-old should have his best football still in front of him and should attract attention from the Bears.
Ryan Kelly: C, Indianapolis Colts
If the younger options don’t work out, Chicago would be remiss not to at least make an offer to Kelly. He’s been a mainstay with the Colts since he was drafted in 2016, and he’s made four Pro Bowls in his career. Kelly would make a great leader for what should be a young group, and his experience would be very helpful for Caleb Williams.
BONUS SIGNINGS
Tee Higgins WR, Cincinnati Bengals
With Bears WR Keenan Allen expected to leave, Higgins, who has had over 900 receiving yards in four out of his first five seasons, is one possible replacement.
The 25-year-old aligns much better with the Bears’ young core than the aging Allen. Higgins is among the best available free agents of the entire class, and pairing him with DJ Moore and Rome Odunze would give the Bears the best young receiving trio in the NFL.
Khalil Mack EDGE, Los Angeles Chargers
Ryan Poles’ first significant move as general manager was to trade away Mack in 2022. Since then, Mack has racked up 31 more sacks in three straight Pro Bowl seasons. Over the same time period, the Bears’ pass rush has struggled, and the defensive line is a main target area for improvement. A reunion with Mack in Chicago — while it would likely be short-term — would see him take on a mentor role to the Bears’ young edge rushers while adding significant power to the line with Mack himself.
Josh Sweat EDGE, Philadelphia Eagles
Amidst a dominant Super Bowl performance from the Eagles’ defense, Sweat picked up 2.5 sacks on Patrick Mahomes.
A performance like that on football’s biggest stage will earn him a big payday, and the Bears have the cap space to give it to him. Like Mack, Sweat would be an explosive addition to the Bears pass rush as they look to return to 2018 form.
First-Round Draft Targets
Will Campbell OT, LSU
Campbell projects to be the best offensive lineman in the class, and it’s likely he won’t be available when the Bears pick at No. 10. Campbell possesses the frame, strength, and technique to be a day-one starter, and if he’s on the board, Ryan Poles should not think twice about making the selection.
Mason Graham DT, Michigan
Much like Campbell, Graham would immediately slot into the starting lineup. The Michigan product saw playing time immediately as a true freshman and grew into an All-American by year three. Graham will enter the league as a dominating force on the interior defensive line and likely won’t fall to Chicago at 10.
Armand Membou OT, Missouri
In his junior year at Missouri, Membou did not allow a single sack in 411 pass block snaps. However, at six-foot-three, he’s a little undersized at tackle. As a result, a move to guard might be the right fit in Chicago if they decide he’s the pick.
Kelvin Banks Jr. OT, Texas
Before the 2024-25 college football season, Banks was thought of as a surefire top-five pick. He went on to have the highest PFF rating of any tackle in the country, and he was at his best in Texas’ marquee matchups. Despite his performance, health issues have caused him to slide down many draft boards. If he’s available at 10, he’s certainly worth consideration from the Bears.
Ashton Jeanty RB, Boise State
Jeanty etched his name into college football history with an incredible season in which he led Boise State to a College Football Playoff appearance. Amidst an all-time great rushing season, Jeanty cemented himself as a yards-after-contact machine.
Given Ben Johnson’s previous hesitancy to rely on now-Bears running back D’Andre Swift, Chicago might be searching to reload at the position in the draft. Jeanty will likely be the best overall player left on the board at No. 10, but positional value will make it hard to justify making the selection.
The Bears’ path to competitiveness in 2025 relies on their ability to shore up the trenches. Ryan Poles has all the tools at his disposal to vastly improve the roster. With a focus on protecting the franchise quarterback and revamping the pass rush, Chicago has the potential to quickly vault into next year’s playoff picture.
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