Familiarity in football can be crucial to a team's success, especially for a first-year head coach. When the Chicago Bears landed Ben Johnson this offseason, they not only grabbed one of the top offensive-minded coaches in the NFL but also pried away one of the top coaches from the Detroit Lions.
The connection of Johnson to Detroit is easy; he served as the offensive coordinator there for the past three seasons as the Lions excelled as one of the top offenses. In 2024, Chicago was not short on playmakers, their biggest weakness was the offensive line, which has been addressed in a big way this offseason. With a new coaching staff, the Bears could benefit by adding players who are familiar with their head coach, having played with him this past season.
Here's a look at three offensive players Detroit Lions who are now free agents that could help the Bears next season.
WR Tim Patrick
Tim Patrick makes perfect sense for Chicago if they're unable to re-sign veteran Keenan Allen who is also an unrestricted free agent. The Bears have their top two wide receivers in DJ Moore and Rome Odunze, but they're going to need a third wide receiver option, as Tyler Scott has not shown much outside of special teams. Patrick is a player who can come in and make an impact as a locker room leader, a resource for the wide receivers and all members of the offense as Ben Johnson installs his system in his first season with Chicago. Patrick is also a tough-nosed wide receiver who's not afraid to get his hands dirty in the blocking game. In 2024 he totaled 33 receptions, 394 yards, and three touchdowns.
OL Kevin Zeitler
Dan Skipper would've made the most sense as a versatile depth piece who can come off the bench and be installed in trick plays, but he's reportedly staying in Detroit. Zeitler will likely command more money than the Bears can pay him, but if he felt a connection with his former offensive coordinator, he could provide Chicago with depth and a familiarity that would help the three new offensive linemen that the Bears acquired over the past two weeks. Zeitler may have an opportunity to make more money and play time elsewhere, but if Ben Johnson has any influence, he could take less money to be part of what is being built for a revamped offensive line.
RB Craig Reynolds
If Tim Patrick signs elsewhere, Craig Reynolds would be another valuable weapon that would make sense in Chicago's new-look offense. Whether it's on special teams or making the most out of opportunities when he's called upon, Reynolds would be a nice addition to the running back room, which is in need of more than just one player to upgrade the unit. Reynolds has been in Detroit since 2021, one year before Johnson became the offensive coordinator, so the two are very familiar with one another. Reynolds, like Patrick, is not afraid to get his hands dirty, be a force on special teams, and does the little things that warrant him a roster spot each season.