Image Source: Dan Pizzuta
Key Takeaways
- The Chicago Bears exceeded expectations in the 2025 season, finishing with an 11-6 record and winning the NFC North division.
- The team has a strong foundation with quarterback Caleb Williams and head coach Ben Johnson, but faces challenges in the 2026 offseason with limited salary cap space.
- The Bears have key pending free agents, including safety Jaquan Brisker and cornerback Nahshon Wright, and need to address positional needs at edge, defensive back, and linebacker.
- The team has a good draft pick in the 1st round, 25th overall, and could target players like edge rusher Matayo Uiagalelei to fill their needs.
Introduction to the Bears’ Offseason
The Chicago Bears are coming off a successful 2025 season, where they exceeded all expectations and won the NFC North division. As the team enters the 2026 offseason, they face several challenges, including limited salary cap space and key pending free agents. According to the article, "This was everything the Bears could have hoped for when they hired Ben Johnson to be their head coach. The offense looked like a unit that could be among the best in the league, even with some ups and downs along the way." The team’s performance was led by quarterback Caleb Williams, who finished 15th in EPA per play and showed his ability to avoid sacks and make big plays.
Offseason Challenges
The Bears have limited salary cap space, with -$14 million in effective cap space entering the 2026 offseason. This could lead to some tough decisions, including potentially cutting players like linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, who missed time with an injury and was 70th among linebackers in yards allowed per coverage snap. As the article notes, "If the Bears move on from linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, it would open up $15 million in cap space." The team could also consider trading wide receiver DJ Moore, who has a large contract and may not fit into the team’s plans with the emergence of Luther Burden III.
Pending Free Agents and Positional Needs
The Bears have several key pending free agents, including safety Jaquan Brisker and cornerback Nahshon Wright. Brisker and safety Kevin Byard have formed a solid safety duo, with Byard earning first-team All-Pro honors for the third time in his 10-year career. The article states, "Brisker became a versatile piece, moving around the defense. He played more snaps around the line of scrimmage and was a heavier blitzer, especially without Kyler Gordon in the lineup." The team needs to address several positional needs, including edge, defensive back, and linebacker. As the article notes, "Montez Sweat accounted for 28.3% of the Bears’ pressures, which was 13th in the league. There wasn’t a consistent pass rusher opposite him, which is why Chicago ranked 29th in pressure rate."
Draft Picks and Potential Targets
The Bears have a good draft pick in the 1st round, 25th overall, and could target players like edge rusher Matayo Uiagalelei to fill their needs. Uiagalelei is a well-built 4-3 defensive end who can rush the passer and set the edge against the run. The article states, "Uiagalelei is the type of well-built 4-3 defensive end Dennis Allen could use to great effect. He can rush the passer and set the edge against the run, and with more development he could become much more than just the No. 2 pass rusher the Bears need." The team also has picks in the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 7th rounds, which could be used to address other positional needs.
Conclusion and Betting Nugget
The Bears exceeded all expectations in the 2025 season, and their performance has implications for betting odds. As Ben Fawkes notes, "The Bears exceeded all expectations this season from oddsmakers, not only easily surpassing their win total of 8.5, but winning the NFC North at +450 preseason odds." The team’s strong foundation with quarterback Caleb Williams and head coach Ben Johnson provides a promising outlook for the future, but the challenges of the 2026 offseason will be crucial in determining their success.
https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/article/2026-nfl-offseason-preview-what-do-chicago-bears-need-to-remain-contenders-in-era-of-caleb-williams-and-ben-johnson-032924922.html