The Chicago Bears have done plenty of work with their roster overhaul for new head coach Ben Johnson, and while their money is not unlimited, it could be time to bargain shop. Addressing their offensive and defensive line through free agency and trades, there is now an opportunity for general manager Ryan Poles to look around the market and find value for positions that are in need of depth.
This most recent wave of free agency has seen veterans Russell Wilson and Stefon Diggs ink deals with the former signing with the New York Giants, and the latter signing with the New England Patriots. With several notable names available for teams to sign, there is work to be done by Poles and front office to try and identifiy which players they could sign at a discounted price to help their 2025 roster.
Here's a look five remaining free agents that the Chicago Bears should consider:
WR Keenan Allen:
Run it back for one more season? The easy rebuttal is that the Bears added wide receivers Olamide Zacccheaus and Devin Duvernay this offseason, but it’s never a bad thing to add a veteran such as Allen. Even after a disappointing season in his one year with Chicago, Allen expressed an interest in running it back or he said he'd like to return to Los Angeles. Neither the Chargers nor Rams have signed Allen, so his services are still available, and if a reunion were to happen, the Bears would have an incredibly deep wide receiver room.
LB Kyzir White
After Jack Sanborn departed for the Dallas Cowboys, the Bears have a hole at their linebacker position to fill. Kyzir White was a captain for the Arizona Cardinals and would fit the current theme of Chicago bringing in veterans to help change the culture and tone in the locker room and lead on the field. This past season, White totaled 137 tackles to go along with 2.5 sacks, and his addition would bring another linebacker with 100+ tackle ability.
LB C.J. Mosley
Another veteran linebacker capable of recording 100 or more tackles on the season, C.J. Mosley would be a steal on the open market. From 2021 to 2023 Mosley had a combined 477 tackles but was limited to just four games due to injury last season. Mosley could be signed to a one-year, prove-it deal, and a trio of him, TJ Edwards, and Tremaine Edmunds would be among one of the best trios in the NFL.
DL Calais Campbell
When discussing a culture and locker room change, Calais Campbell is a perfect fit for what the Chicago Bears could be missing. Upon his arrival in Chicago, recent free agent signee Grady Jarrett lit up his press conference, sounding like a veteran who wants to establish a winning culture in Chicago, and Campbell would be very similar. Having played alongside Jarrett in Atlanta, the 17-year veteran would likely not cost much or command much playing time, but he could serve as a leader and mentor on the field and in the locker room.
DE Za'Darius Smith
You can't have enough edge rushers, and Za'Darius Smith would fit in this trend as an affordable veteran who gets after it on the field and is a leader in the locker room. After being traded from the Cleveland Browns to the Detroit Lions midway through the season, Smith totaled 4 sacks in eight games and had nine total on the year. Even with Dayo Odeyingbo signing with the Bears, Smith would be a valuable addition to come in and be a veteran edge rusher to help Montez Sweat and Odeyingbo get to the quarterback for defensive coordinator Dennis Allen.