It is officially one of the most exciting times of the year if you're a Chicago Bears fan. Ryan Poles and the Bears are officially "on the clock," so to speak.
The NFL offseason is now in session for all 32 teams after the Kansas City Chiefs won Super Bowl LVIII, and for the Bears, this offseason is as big as they come. Of course, everyone is talking about what they should do with the no. 1 overall pick, yet again.
But, before we get to the 2024 NFL Draft, the new league year will roll over and free agency begins. For the Bears, they can choose to address a few key needs here, if they'd like.
And, what better team to pluck talent from than the reigning champs? Maybe, Poles can go after the following Chiefs players in a few weeks.
1. Deon Bush, S
First up is a name Bears fans know well. While Deon Bush won't come to Chicago and take over a role likely soon vacated by Eddie Jackson, he could certainly come back to the Bears as a valuable reserve and special teams asset.
Bush began his career with the Bears back in 2016 as a fourth-round pick before his two-year stint with the Chiefs. For a guy who endured a lot of losing, being on back-to-back Super Bowl rosters had to be worth the wait.
But now, Bush could come back to where it all began and help assist on an up-and-coming roster in Chicago. The Bears are viewed as a team on the rise, and how fitting would it be for the former Miami Hurricane standout to return to the Windy City and watch this team, hopefully, make a run in the near future?
2. Chris Jones, DT
One of the areas the Bears are sure to look for help is along their defensive line. With Montez Sweat, Andrew Billings, Gervon Dexter and Zacch Pickens all sure things heading into 2024, the team still needs another starter at defensive and and could arguably use a starter on the interior with last year's rookies providing strong depth.
Chris Jones will be 30 years old in July, but is in the thick of his prime and has now made two All Pro teams in a row. He is at the height of his career and, after winning three Super Bowls, could bring some of his experience and talent to Chicago. Poles obviously knows Jones well from their time together in Kansas City, and that connection might help a potential recruitment.
Jones held out last year before finally reaching a new, 1-year deal with the Chiefs. While the Chiefs could opt to use the franchise tag on Jones in 2024, I'm not so sure that would go over well. Maybe, his time in Kansas City is coming to an end.
As one of the best interior defensive linemen in the game today, Jones would immediately make an impact in Chicago. The Bears already project to have a top-10 unit in 2024, but Jones would only further cement that. In the past two seasons, Jones has totaled 26.0 sacks and 30 tackles for loss.
3. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB
Count this as a relatively under-the-radar move, like last year's signing of D'Onta Foreman. But, the Bears will probably add a running back to the roster with Foreman entering free agency. Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson are more than capable of handling the load, but if the Bears again want to sport a trio of backs who are able to take on a good amount of work, then Clyde Edwards-Helaire would be a solid signing.
The Chiefs have firmly moved onto Isiah Pacheco as their lead back, but may also make a move to upgrade their depth at the position. Edwards-Helaire has seen his role diminish over the years, from being a starter to even seeing his name pop up on the inactive list.
He isn't necessarily a starting-quality back at this stage, but his experience as both a runner and pass catcher would be of use as the Bears' third-string running back. Maybe, he gets a job elsewhere as a no. 2 guy, but in Chicago, he'd be a valuable depth addition. In four seasons with the Chiefs and in various roles, Edwards-Helaire has produced over 2,600 total yards and 19 touchdowns.
4. L'Jarius Sneed, CB
This last one would be a backup plan, but one heck of a backup plan, I might add. The Bears figure to bring back corner Jaylon Johnson on a multi-year deal and might even make him the league's top-paid cornerback when it's all said and done. He's viewed as the no. 1 overall free agent cornerback on the market and might even be the best cornerback in the game, depending on who you ask.
L'Jarius Sneed, though, is firmly locked in as the no. 2 free agent cornerback of this year's class and the Chiefs could have a tough time bringing him back. Kansas City could have to choose between Sneed or Jones, or maybe both of them get higher offers elsewhere.
As a fourth-round pick back in 2020, Sneed is entering free agency for the first time in his career, and what a time to be doing it. He had his best season yet in 2023, allowing an opposing quarterback rating of just 56.2 (a career-high).
He also saw career-highs in completion percentage allowed (51.0), yards per target allowd (4.8) and touchdowns allowed (zero).