The Chicago Bears have invested heavily into their offensive and defensive lines during the free agency period this offseason, adding all-pro players, veterans and young prospects to the team.
With these moves, the Bears have made themselves realistic playoff contenders, allowing them to better protect and develop their rising star quarterback, Caleb Williams, who is entering his second season.
The Bears struggled on the offensive and defensive lines throughout the 2024 season. The offensive line allowed Williams to be sacked a total of 68 times in 17 games in 2024, tied for third most in a single season.
The lack of protection from the offensive line also stopped the Bears from moving the ball on the ground, too. They ranked 25th in the NFL in rushing last year with 1734 yards.
Struggles on the defensive side of the line also showed a need for improvement as the Bears had the fifth-worst run defense in the NFL, allowing 2,317 yards on the ground.
They also ranked 16th in the NFL in defensive sacks recorded with 40. Defensive End Montez Sweat led the team with just 5.5 sacks in 16 games in 2024.
Bears fans and even casual football fans could have seen that the Bears needed improvement in these areas, and the Bears wasted no time doing exactly that.
Before the free agency madness even started, the Bears showed their intent to protect Williams when they traded a 2024 6th round draft pick to the Los Angeles Rams to acquire Guard Jonah Jackson. They later gave Jackson a one year extension through the 2027 season.
Jackson spent four seasons with the Detroit Lions after being drafted there in 2020 and one season with the Rams.
He has experience working with new Head Coach Ben Johnson, who was Jackson’s offensive coordinator for the 2022 and 2023 NFL seasons.
The biggest addition that the Bears made came just a few days later when they traded a 2026 fourth-round draft pick to the Kansas City Chiefs for guard Joe Thuney.
Thuney played 1,115 offensive snaps in 2024 and allowed a grand total of zero sacks–that’s right, zero–on Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
He is a known winner and a consistently good player who puts up great performances each year
Thuney has been in six Super Bowls, winning four, and has been in three Pro Bowl, as well as multiple selections to the first and second All-pro teams.
The most important move the Bears have made during free agency was signing center Drew Dalman. The center position was a huge liability in the 2024 season, and now they’ve signed one of the best centers on the market.
The Bears acquired Dalman for three years for $42 million, according to Ian Rapoport.
According to Pro Football Focus, Dalman has a run blocking grade of 79.8 ranking him 5th among centers in the NFL for run blocking and a slightly worse yet still good pass blocking grade of 66.6 with an overall grade of 78.8 ranking him 4th among all centers in the NFL.
His ability to be an effective run blocker can help create holes for the running backs and improve the run game, which is a staple of head coach Ben Johnson.
Dalman’s veteran presence will also help develop Williams, as there will no longer be as much of a reliance on him with the ball in his hands with a good run game.
The Bears did not stop there, as they also made two more signings on the first day of free agency: one young player who will improve the defensive line with better pressure to the opposing quarterback, and a veteran to help develop young players in that position.
The Bears signed Dayo Odeyingbo, a defensive end from the Indianapolis Colts, for three years and $48 million according to Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport.
Odeyingbo is only 26 and has the potential to develop into a star pass rusher.
His counting stats don’t jump off the page, with just three sacks and seven tackles for loss (TFLs). However, he had 42 total pressures in the 2024 season. Despite his low sack numbers, he can still get consistent pressure and affect the quarterback.
The Bears also signed defensive lineman, Grady Jarret, who had been released by the Atlanta Falcons. They got Jarret for three years and $43.5 million, according to Tom Pelissero.
Jarret recorded 2.5 sacks and nine TFLs in 2024. Though these stats don’t blow people away either, they are great stats for a defensive tackle, with Jarret being regarded as one of the best DTs in the NFL over the last decade.
While his best years may be behind him at 31 years-old, Jarret still has a lot to offer a team with his leadership, being especially helpful to develop Gervon Dexter Sr. a younger defensive lineman on the Bears.
The Bears also added some pieces to their offense, adding Wide Receivers Devin Duvernay, and Olamide Zaccheaus to short term deals to strengthen their receiver room.
The Bears also signed veteran Tight End Durham Smythe to another short term deal after releasing last year’s signing TE Gerald Everette.
Like every offseason and free agency, teams gain great players, but they also lose a few good players.
The Bears let go of linebacker Jack Sandborn who always gave his all on the field and have yet to re-sign wide receiver Keenan Allen who was traded to Chicago last offseason for a fourth round draft pick.
Despite these losses, the Bears have signed great players at important positions, allowing them to take the best player available, regardless of position, in the upcoming 2025 NFL draft in April.
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