Following a free-agency period that saw the Chicago Bears aggressively improve their offensive and defensive lines, it seems that many Bears fans want to see the team turn their attention to adding a running back or tight end during the early rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft.
That desire seems to be fans trying to project what they saw Ben Johnson do with the Lions onto what he will do with the Bears' offense next season. Johnson's offenses do place value on each position, but neither may be the biggest need the team has at the moment.
In fact, chances are you wouldn't be able to guess what one Bears' beat reporter says is the biggest area of need remaining for the team. Adam Jahns of The Athletic says linebacker and safety are the two biggest areas of need that the Bears have following their free agency moves.
Once you get past the initial surprise that Jahns didn't list edge rusher or the aforementioned running back or tight end positions, there is some logic behind his take.
T.J. Edwards is entering the final year of his contract with the Bears, the same status as safety Kevin Byard. Between the two, it would seem that the Bears will likely be interested in an extension for Edwards. Meanwhile, short of Byard returning to All-Pro status during the 2025 season, the Bears likely will let the veteran safety walk next offseason.
Linebacker, Safety could be sneaky positional targets for the Bears in the 2025 NFL Draft
Complicating matters with each position is that Tremaine Edmunds hasn't ascended in the way the Bears may have been hoping when they signed him. Edmunds is under contract for the 2026 season but not at a salary that precludes him from being a cap casualty. At safety, Jaquan Brisker's concussion history makes it difficult to mark him as a long-term answer for the Bears at the position.
All this to say, don't be surprised if the Bears target either position during the draft next month. The Bears don't need an immediate starters at either position but taking a developmental option in the middle rounds could be an ideal strategy.