The Chicago Bears introduced several of their free agency signings on Thursday, accompanied by an update from general manager Ryan Poles.
Based on Poles’ comments, the Bears have accomplished many of the goals they had so far.
However, another pair of starters from the 2025 team departed in free agency. The Bears are simply losing the numbers game at several spots, with the top talent off the open market and the draft always a gamble.
Bears Introduce New Players at Halas Hall to Lead News Roundup
Bears Send Clear Message to FAs
The quality of the Bears’ free agency haul will be debated for months. It is already, even with the 2026 NFL Draft looming as the best way for good teams to stay that way. But they have certainly been active.
One thing was clear while listening to each of Coby Bryant, Devin Bush, Kalif Raymond, and Neville Gallimore speak, and for Garrett Bradbury and Jedrick Wills, who spoke via Zoom.
The Bears were early and aggressive in landing every one of them.
Player after player mentioned that the Bears were early to reach out to their representatives, and the feeling of “being wanted” coming from the organization. That includes Bryant remarking on how Bears quarterback Caleb Williams reached out to him.
The success or failure of this year’s crop of free agents–which is noticeably lighter on star power than the past few offseasons–will be determined on the field this coming season.
The Bears do have a more favorable recent track record in what is now a big key for them.
Draft Becomes Top Focus After Latest Exits
The Bears brought in multiple starters, with Bradbury, Bryant, and Bush all seemingly heading for first-line roles.
After four days of free agency, the Bears still need a starting safety–both C.J. Gardner-Johnson (Buffalo Bills) and Jaquan Brisker (Pittsburgh Steelers) joined Kevin Byard III (New England Patriots) in leaving via free agency. They also still need to bolster their pass rush and have questions at left tackle.
The Bears are sitting at seven picks in April’s draft, with their first coming 25th overall.
Poles drafted four major contributors–Colston Loveland, Luther Burden III, Ozzy Trapilo, and Kyle Monangai–out of his eight picks in 2025.
All of those players contributed at or near starting-level this past season. Poles must deliver another hit rate like that, while also getting more out of the other prospects from the 2025 class. The Bears’ offseason could take on a much different feel if that is how it all unfolds.
Poles’ first draft class addressed the secondary once before, with Brisker and Kyler Gordon as their top two picks.
His second class added to the trenches with Darnell Wright and Gervon Dexter Sr.
Over his past two draft classes, Poles has selected two wide receivers (Burden and Rome Odunze), a tight end (Loveland), and another offensive lineman (Trapilo) to support a former No. 1 pick QB in the first two rounds.
The Bears’ draft could skew heavily toward their defense this offseason, as it would certainly fit Poles’ MO.
Ryans Poles Gets Candid
Poles did not mince words about a variety of topics during his presser, hitting on the Bears’ interest in Las Vegas Raiders star pass rusher Maxx Crosby. They are still monitoring the situation even after his cancelled trade to the Baltimore Ravens this offseason.
The Bears’ continued interest in Crosby suggests their approach to free agency may be more by design (with an eye on a draft that is loaded in the right places) than they are getting credit for.
Poles also noted center Drew Dalman dealt with something that led to his retirement.
The fifth-year GM declined to get into anything specific, but admitted the decision caught them a bit by surprise. They pivoted to a trade for Bradbury after gauging their other options. That again shows a calculated approach that belies the possible negative appearance of the moves.
The Bears added speed and got younger in some key positions, which Poles said was a goal this offseason.
After the season they had in 2025, the Bears’ moves might deserve patience in 2026.