The 2024 regular season for the Chicago Bears was one to forget, but their offseason in 2025 has added new hope to the team ending their four-year playoff drought.
Bears general manager Ryan Poles was busy with hiring new head coach Ben Johnson, rebuilding the offensive line, adding two new starters on the defensive line, and selecting four players in the first two rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft. Poles has done everything he could to build a solid foundation for the 2025 season, but one last move could seal their fate for postseason accolades.
ESPN.com NFL analyst Aaron Schatz suggested one roster move for each team to make in the offseason before the new season begins. For the Bears, Schatz wants them to sign linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin.
"Linebacker depth is a bit of a problem for the Bears right now. They don't need a starter because they have T.J. Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds, but former Lions linebacker Reeves-Maybin would be a good depth addition. He also is a big help on special teams, having made the Pro Bowl for special teams just two seasons ago. The Bears' special teams were strong in 2024, but another good gunner never hurts."
Reeves-Maybin does resolve major concern with Bears' depth
The question has been raised about who would be the next man up if Edwards or Edmunds got hurt. There are already signs that rookie fourth-round pick Ruben Hyppolite II could be the third starting linebacker in the lineup. That has certain raised the idea of Reeves-Maybin joining the team something Chicago should consider.
Reeves-Maybin is a veteran NFL linebacker backed up with eight years of experience, having played in 114 games and made 14 starts. While he's primarily a depth player, his contributions on special teams could be a significant factor that the team can't sleep on.
Chicago was middle of the pack in average kickoff return yards allowed in 2024 with 27.5 yards. It's the worst, but it wasn't the best either so some help there could be good for the Bears.
At linebacker, the depth is impressive with Noah Sewell, Amen Ogbongbemiga, and Carl Jones Jr. as the projected second-stringers. Reeves-Maybin instantly comes in and can be a backup, and in case of injury, would be a reliable starter.
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No, signing Reeves-Maybin isn't the sexiest move that Chicago could make, but it could end up being the most important one. Look what the Philadelphia Eagles did with signing Zack Baun last year. Baun was a career backup who became an All-Pro in 2024.
Reeves-Maybin could potentially follow the same path if given the chance.