Ranking what the Chicago Bears need to be successful in 2024 and beyond

4. Safety

Up next is the safety position. I originally thought Eddie Jackson was a lock to be cut next year. However, finding a safety to pair with Jaquan Brisker might be harder than it sounds. Ryan Poles can fill this void with free agency or the NFL Draft, but free agency is very thin. If he makes it to free agency, Antoine Winfield, Jr. would be the top option. Budda Baker might become available but has a club option. Outside of these two, true free safeties are not easy to find. A couple of safeties who can probably play both spots include Jordan Whitehead, Micah Hyde, and Chauncey Gardner-Johnson.

If Winfield doesn't make it to free agency or Ryan Poles cannot sway him to Chicago, then the 2024 NFL Draft is still an option. A few names to consider who should be available on Day 2 and Day 3 include Calen Bulloch, Rod Moore, Jaden Hicks and Tykee Smith.

If by chance Eddie Jackson is retained, then safety will drop down this list from fourth to seventh. Either way, the team needs some depth. Elijah Hicks has filled in at times with Jackson sidelined. The team should look to add another option to the group though because history says Jackson will miss multiple games per year and that won't change as he just turned 30.