The Chicago Bears are expected to have a hectic offseason due to the urgency felt within the organization and the resources available to them.
General Manager Ryan Poles and his team are likely to pursue significant free-agent acquisitions to strengthen the offensive line in front of quarterback Caleb Williams, while also addressing other roster needs as they arise.
There are several pending free agents that the Bears may consider re-signing, though their top two options might be inclined to sign with other teams. Recently, ESPN’s Matt Bowen highlighted his Top-50 free agents, linking two potential targets to Chicago while associating two others with different franchises.
Best Fits For The Bears
Trey Smith
Trey Smith is clearly the Chicago Bears’ primary target this offseason. There are numerous ties between Smith and the Bears, and the team appears prepared to invest significantly to acquire him. The key question is whether he will actually reach free agency.
The Kansas City Chiefs are eager to retain Smith and might consider using the transition tag to facilitate that. However, even if the Chiefs pursue this option, the Bears would still have a chance to compete for him. Regardless of the outcome, Smith remains a significant focus for Chicago.
“The top interior lineman on the market, Smith would upgrade a critical position of need in Chicago. Smith is a powerful mover in the run game, as his run block win rate of 75.1% ranked sixth among guards. Plus, he has the foot speed to mirror interior defenders and the strength at 6-6 and 321 pounds to anchor against bull rushes.” – ESPN’s Matt Bowen
Acquiring the second-best free agent available, especially at a position where the team desperately needs improvement, would demonstrate the Bears’ commitment to doing everything possible to revitalize the franchise.
Drew Dalman
The Chicago Bears are reportedly interested in Drew Dalman, the top free-agent center available, to fill their need at the position. Despite missing some time in 2024 due to an ankle injury, Dalman, who was ranked as the 26th-best free agent by Bowen, is expected to attract considerable interest in the free agent market
“Let’s also put Dalman — the top center in free agency — next to Smith. Dalman wins his assignments with movement and leverage to offset a smaller frame (6-3, 300 pounds). He’s a technician on the tape, best suited for the zone run game, and his pass block win rate of 95.1% ranked ninth among centers with at least 500 snaps.” – Bowen
Landing either Smith or Dalman would be huge for the Bears. Landing both would be an absolute home run to kick off the offseason.
Best Fits For Bears Pending Free Agents
Teven Jenkins -> New York Giants
This bridge seems to be long gone between the Bears and left guard Teven Jenkins, which is unfortunate given the player he’s proven to be on the field. The problem has been actually getting him to suit up consistently.
Jenkins’ career has been plagued with injuries and the Bears are tired of dealing with the constant in and out at the position. Bowen has Jenkins landing with the Giants and moving back to right guard, a position he played at during the 2022 season.
“The Giants could fill their right guard vacancy with Jenkins, a 2021 second-round pick for Chicago. Drafted as a tackle, Jenkins has had multiple injuries in his career, as he has played in only 38 of a possible 68 career games. However, he has the tools to drive defenders off the ball in the run game and he had a pass block win rate of 92.0% last season.” – Bowen
Jenkins will get his opportunity to land a solid contract with the Giants and get a fresh slate in New York while the Bears move on and search for his replacement up-front.
Keenan Allen -> Los Angeles Rams
Like Jenkins, it’s looking more and more unlikely by the day that Keenan Allen returns to Chicago in 2024. Even if Allen’s tenure with the Bears was one year, it was still worth a fourth-round pick for a guy who led the team with seven touchdowns.
Allen is expected to have a pretty strong market in a relatively dry wide receiver pool, but he’s going to be 33-years-old next season and on the decline. As for his potential suitor, Allen expressed his desire to return to Los Angeles if he’s not back with the Bears, but Bowen has another L.A. team in mind.
“Returning to Chicago is an option for Allen, but with the Rams expected to trade Cooper Kupp this spring, there is an opportunity for Allen in Los Angeles. In Sean McVay’s offense — which uses movement and alignment to get wide receivers free access off the ball — Allen could operate as the No. 3 option out of the slot.” – Bowen
Landing with the Rams and working with Sean McVay would be great for Allen’s final run of his Hall of Fame career. And it would also give someone to entice quarterback Matthew Stafford to stay in Los Angeles if the Rams move on from Cooper Kupp.
