The moves an NFL team makes in free agency can provide insight into an organization's intentions, including the Chicago Bears.
A team willing to trade draft capital like the Los Angeles Rams did, sending a 2026 first-round draft pick, 2026 fifth-round pick, 2026 sixth-round pick, and a 2027 third-round pick to the Kansas City Chiefs for cornerback Trent McDuffie, can be viewed as a team ready to win now.
That “win-now” approach is one of the “buckets” The Athletic used to describe the phase each of the 32 NFL organizations is in after the initial free-agent signings. To get a better understanding of all the different categories, check out Jordan Rodrigue's “Win-now? Rebuild? What NFL teams’ initial free agency moves revealed” article. Rodrigue placed the Chicago Bears in the “Success-builder” bucket.
“These teams are building from overachieving in 2025 relative to expectations. They may have invested in a top player at a premier position in free agency, or they are continuing to build around a great young quarterback. They still face questions about their completeness in at least one phase.”
Bears described as "success builders" going into 2026 season
The description summarizes the Bears’ current situation and reinforces what Bears general manager Ryan Poles has publicly said about factoring in the short-term and long-term ramifications of each potential move.
After an 11-win season that ended with an NFC North title, the Bears have focused on free agency to retool their roster. Poles needed to fill holes in the secondary and patch up an offensive line that had major questions at center and left tackle.
“Meat-and-potatoes moves for a team that could have been high on its own supply, but stayed disciplined and self-aware and basically set up its intentions for the draft: Offensive and interior defensive linemen, and pass rushers,” Rodrigue wrote.
A “most interesting move” section is at the end for every team, and the article mentions that the Bears were reportedly interested in Maxx Crosby, so what will the Bears use their draft picks to address?
The Bears have four picks in the top 100, including No. 25 overall, picks 57 and 60 in the second round, and No. 89 in the third. It wouldn’t be a surprise whatsoever to see the Bears use one of those picks on an edge rusher.
Read more: Bears cleverly had representatives at all-important Pro Day right before draft
If the Bears can position themselves to become a “success-builder,” then the organization will be in some unfamiliar territory, which is a positive for Chicago's franchise.