The Chicago Bears could enter the 2026 season with a new-look secondary, highlighting one of the biggest improvements the team should hope to make this offseason.
It would certainly take some pressure off Caleb Williams and the Bears’ offense.
They ranked 29th overall and 23rd in scoring this past season, and they were not effective in slowing down opposing rushing or passing attacks. The Bears finished the 2025 regular season 22nd against the pass and 26th against the run.
Bears’ Secondary Looms Large as Offseason Nears
Bears Could Lose Three Starters
The Bears enter the offseason with three players who started double-digit games in their secondary and a fourth who played in at least 10 games during the 2025 campaign set to hit free agency.
Cornerback Nahshon Wright joins fellow Pro Bowler Kevin Byard and two other safeties–C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Jaquan Brisker–on the Bears’ pending FA list.
NFL.com’s Matt Okada noted the critical nature of the situation.
“The Chicago Bears allowed 7.8 yards per pass attempt (third-most in the league) and 10 deep passing touchdowns (tied for second-most per NFL Pro) in 2025. Across their six losses, they surrendered 245.5 passing yards per game (seventh-most in losses) and 33.0 points per game (third-most in losses). Despite a resurgent season overall, their defense was typically their undoing,” Okada wrote on February 20.
“Chicago needs to get better on the back end, not barer (no pun intended). Whether by extending their impending free agents, signing new ones or bringing in new blood through the draft … the Bears need to shore up their secondary.”
Okada also noted that the Bears are set to be more than $5 million over the salary cap, but there are mechanisms in place to help clear space before they shuffle their roster.
The Bears have various pathways by which they can upgrade their defense.
They almost certainly need to beef up their pass rush, which would help out their secondary tremendously. Figuring out the best way to do both is the needle that Bears general manager Ryan Poles must thread.
Bears Have Clear Deficiencies
Parsing through what went wrong in a loss for a consistent theme can be tricky, especially when a team comes close to doubling up in the win column.
However, the Bears were also 7-4 in one-score games in the regular season.
They were 1-1 in two postseason games, too. Boasting the No. 6 overall offense that also ranked ninth in points scored, the Bears’ defense was clearly not up to the challenge as frequently or consistently as they needed to be.
Again, shoring up the defense, while also fixing what needs to be addressed offensively–left tackle amid Ozzy Trapilo’s injury, DJ Moore’s future, etc.–is Poles’ charge this spring.
Doing so could see the Bears take another significant leap in 2026.