Coming off an electric 2025 season, the Chicago Bears had a decision between two paths at the beginning of the offseason. They could stretch themselves thin in an attempt to build on their success, or they could trust the process and make low-cost moves.
For the most part, they went with the latter option. General manager Ryan Poles didn't make much of a splash in free agency and let some of his best players leave.
So far this season, most (but not all) of the cheap bets he made have paid off.
3 Bears offseason additions who have proved their worth
WR Kalif Raymond
Ben Johnson seems to find a veteran receiver every offseason to put into a major role in his offense. Last year, Olamide Zaccheaus immediately became a focal point of Chicago's passing game. This year, Kalif Raymond has taken the torch.
Raymond leads all Bears receivers in receptions so far this season. While Luther Burden III, Rome Odunze, and Colston Loveland will likely surpass his production as the year goes on, Raymond has been a reliable option for Chicago's revolving door of quarterbacks.
S Dillon Thieneman
It's safe to say that the Bears found a gem in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Chicago desperately needed help at safety after both Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker left in free agency. Thieneman and Coby Bryant were their replacements, and while Bryant has been sidelined with a knee injury, Thieneman has immediately become a capable starter.
He has already logged 37 tackles, an interception, and four pass deflections and is a major reason for the Bears' unexpected competence on defense.
DT Kentavius Street
Before the start of the season, defensive coordinator Dennis Allen said that Kentavius Street had been the most productive defensive tackle in Bears training camp. At the time, it seemed like little more than lip service for a low-cost veteran. But it looks like there was something to Allen's confidence in the 30-year-old.
Street has held down a starting defensive tackle role for the Bears since Week 1. He hasn't been especially productive, but Chicago's interior defensive line would be a complete disaster without him.
Bears DT Neville Gallimore already looks like a flop
As Street's stock has risen, Neville Gallimore's has plummeted. It doesn't help that he's making more than triple the money that Street is.
Gallimore has been unplayable against the run. Of 148 interior defensive linemen with at least 50 total snaps this year, he ranks 127th in run stop rate.
Read more: Ben Johnson's red zone headaches with Bears offense are nowhere close to improving
So far, the $10 million that the Bears spent on Gallimore would have been better spent on almost anyone else.
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