The Chicago Bears can't really do much with signing free agents at the moment, with just $243,000 in cap space, but that doesn't mean they can't get there.
When the team restructures contracts and signs contract extensions, the Bears will still be able to sign a player or two in free agency before the 2026 NFL Draft. Bleacher Report writer Kristopher Knox named the best fits for players that are still available, with one of the Bears being a name that head coach Ben Johnson knows very well: offensive tackle Taylor Decker.
"While there aren't many teams lacking a left tackle at this point in the offseason, the Chicago Bears would provide Decker with a perfect pairing. Chicago recently picked up Jedrick Wills Jr.—who hasn't played since 2024 due to a knee injury—but recently released former starter Braxton Jones. The Bears also employ former Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson as their head coach."
Should the Bears reunite Ben Johnson and Taylor Decker?
Decker has been a long-time starting left tackle in the NFL since joining the league in 2016. While he has only had one Pro Bowl selection in 2024, he has been one of the most reliable starting left tackles in the league.
The Bears have a situation at left tackle with 2025 second-round pick Ozzy Trapilo expected to miss a lot of the 2026 season due to his injury. That currently leaves Braxton Jones, Theo Benedet, and recently signed Jedrick Wills Jr. on the roster at left tackle.
Jones is expected to be the leader in the pack since he knows Johnson's offense well and has more experience, but Decker would certainly change that. Decker has been in Johnson's scheme from 2022 through 2024 and earned a Pro Bowl selection, so the Bears know he can thrive in it.
Read more: Ryan Poles can't afford testing fate on a massive Bears free agency risk
Chicago has no money to do anything right now, but give them some time, and potentially adding Decker could completely change the outlook of the Bears' offensive line.