Free agency didn’t deliver the type of headline-grabbing splash Bears fans have grown accustomed to in recent offseasons. But that doesn’t mean Chicago stood still.
Instead, General Manager Ryan Poles and the Bears front office took a quieter approach, one that focused on improving team speed, maintaining flexibility, and continuing to build around a young offensive core. The roster still isn’t finished (and probably won’t be until after the draft), but there are already some clear themes emerging from Chicago’s offseason strategy.
“We want to sustain success,” Poles said last week during his media availability at Halas Hall. “We talk about that a lot. In order to do that, we have to be very calculated with the moves we make.”
Here are a few things that stood out as the first wave of free agency settled.
The Bears Didn’t Fill Every Hole — But They Did Get Faster
Chicago’s defense still feels incomplete. A high-impact pass rusher or interior defensive lineman hasn’t arrived yet, and those needs remain near the top of the offseason checklist.
But one thing is clear: The Bears are faster on defense.
That matters because the lack of team speed became painfully obvious late last season. Whether you watched the games live or went back through the tape, the defense looked noticeably slower as the year wore on, something injuries certainly contributed to but didn’t entirely explain. Perhaps, with that in mind, the moves Chicago made at the outset of free agency reflect an effort to address the lack of team speed on the defensive side of the ball.
HOW THE BEARS REBUILT THE MIDDLE OF THEIR DEFENSE ON DAY 1 OF FREE AGENCY
Take the secondary, where C.J. Gardner-Johnson’s departure to the Buffalo Bills didn’t come as much of a surprise. Gardner-Johnson was brought in largely out of necessity during an injury wave and had difficulty matching up with quicker slot receivers down the stretch. Chicago replaced him with Cam Lewis, a faster (and more cost-efficient) option who ideally won’t be asked to play significant snaps if Kyler Gordon can stay healthy.
New Bears CB Cam Lewis celebrates with a teammate during his time with the Bills. © Tina MacIntyre-Yee/Democrat and Chronicle / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn ImagesA similar philosophy showed up at linebacker. The Bears signed Devin Bush and re-signed D’Marco Jackson for less than the $15 million Tremaine Edmunds was projected to count against the cap in 2026. Bush brings more sideline-to-sideline speed, while Jackson was already the fastest linebacker on the roster last season. Edmunds has since signed a three-year deal with the New York Giants.
Even the Bears’ biggest financial investment, safety Coby Bryant, fits the trend. Bryant, who turns 27 in March, is younger and faster than Kevin Byard, who will celebrate his 33rd birthday in August. While the Bears locked Bryant into a multi-year deal, Byard moved on to sign a one-year contract with the New England Patriots.
The defensive line still needs help, but Chicago prioritized speed in the secondary and linebacker groups. And a faster defense definitely gives me some hope that Defensive Coordinator Dennis Allen’s 2026 group is trending in the right direction.
Defensive Line and Safety Still Lead the Needs, But Don’t Forget These Positions
With the first wave of free agency in the books, defensive line and safety remain the most obvious areas where the Bears could still add talent. But they aren’t the only positions worth watching as the draft approaches.
Wide receiver could quietly be a position to watch as the offseason moves along.
The upcoming draft class is deep at the position, and Bears Head Coach Ben Johnson comes from a Detroit Lions team that constantly replenished skill talent. Chicago’s current depth chart suggests there may still be room for another addition. Right now, Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III, and Jahdae Walker, appear to be the only wide receivers clearly projected for the 53-man roster.
While the top-end pass catchers on the roster are as promising as any group in the league, I cautioned about the depth factor when DJ Moore’s name was circulating in potential trade discussions. I like the return Chicago received for Moore, but the receiving corps could become thin quickly if one of the top targets misses time.
Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn ImagesWhile the wide receivers room needs to be rounded out between now and when training camp starts, defensive end remains the biggest need.
For what it’s worth, Poles confirmed Thursday that the Bears “were involved” in conversations with the Raiders about a potential trade for five-time Pro Bowler Maxx Crosby. The price, however, was steep (two first-round picks) and ultimately outside of Chicago’s comfort zone. It also came at a time when the edge rusher market exploded, with Jaelan Phillips, Trey Hendrickson, and Odafe Oweh all signing massive deals.
Poles made it clear the Bears wanted to preserve their draft capital while also staying mindful of the salary cap. Still, the need remains obvious. Chicago finished last season tied for the fifth-fewest sacks in the NFL and ranked 31st in pass rush win rate. Finding a pass rusher opposite Montez Sweat is a priority, and the most realistic path toward solving that problem is likely through the draft. That’s why April could bring a heavy defensive focus.
Do the Bears stick with Tyrique Stevenson as a starting cornerback after he was benched? Who lines up at safety opposite Bryant? With four picks in the top 89, could Chicago target a plug-and-play defensive starter early? Those questions loom large heading into draft season.
Free Agency Was Quiet — And That’s Probably a Good Thing
Compared to the aggressive spending sprees of the past two offseasons, Chicago’s approach this spring felt relatively restrained. That’s not necessarily a bad thing.
Free agency is only one piece of the roster-building process, and the most important phase of the offseason still lies ahead: drafting and developing players. That’s where good teams stay good. The first draft class of the Ben Johnson era was terrific, but if Chicago wants to sustain success and maintain a healthy cap situation, that success needs to continue.
Katie Stratman-Imagn ImagesThe Bears have an intriguing young offensive core to build around.
Quarterback Caleb Williams, tight end Colston Loveland, right tackle Darnell Wright, and wide receivers Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III are five players under the age of 25 who represent the young offensive core. Another year of development for that group could unlock one of the most explosive offenses in football. With Johnson’s track record and the collection of young talent on the roster, it’s not hard to imagine Chicago making a serious push toward becoming one of the NFL’s top offenses in the near future.
The outlook on defense is a bit murkier. However, better health would go a long way toward stabilizing things. Cornerbacks Kyler Gordon and Jaylon Johnson, as well as linebacker T.J. Edwards, dealt with injuries last season. Getting them back at full strength would help offset some of the departures from free agency.
Some younger players could take steps forward this season. Defensive end Austin Booker, defensive tackle Shemar Turner, and linebacker Ruben Hyppolite II remain developmental pieces the Bears still believe in. It feels like Booker might be viewed more highly at Halas Hall than some outside the building are considering. And Tyrique Stevenson, entering a contract year, could produce the kind of urgency that leads to a breakout season.
Perhaps most importantly, the Bears now have a coaching staff with a strong track record of developing talent. I might regret saying it at some point, but for now, I’m comfortable trusting Johnson and his staff.
The first wave of free agency is in the books, and the real work starts now for Chicago and its front office.
David Banks-Imagn ImagesA NEW BN BEARS PODCAST EPISODE IS COMING SOON: Apple | Spotify | YouTube
Hence then, the article about bears bits speed remaining needs and why the real work starts now was published today ( ) and is available on Bleacher Nation ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Bears Bits: Speed, Remaining Needs, and Why the Real Work Starts Now )
Also on site :