This offseason can be taken in multiple different directions for the Chicago Bears front office based on the needs of the current roster. The hiring of Ben Johnson marks the beginning of a new era in the Windy City and it’s one that fans are hoping will last a long time. Having an offensive guru in Chicago of Johnson’s caliber is something that the organization has never had before, so things could get exciting quickly.
Some key roster decisions need to be made by Ryan Poles and Ian Cunningham in free agency next month to set the stage for the draft in April. The big positions of emphasis for the Bears to address this offseason are in the trenches. The organization will need to bring in three new offensive linemen to pair with tackles Braxton Jones and Darnell Wright.
Also on the offensive side of the ball, the third receiver in Johnson’s offense will have to be determined with a potential addition in the backfield coming too. Snagging a consistent edge rusher to pair with Montez Sweat is arguably the second most important thing the Bears need to do in the next two months. They haven’t gotten much pressure on the quarterback over the past two seasons and that will have to change in Dennis Allen’s scheme.
Two players from the 2024 squad have the ability to be franchise-tagged by the Bears front office this offseason. While they both were heavily involved in last season’s plan, it would be hard to imagine them staying around for 2025.
Keenan Allen is the only Chicago Bear eligible
Allen’s time with the Bears in 2024 was his lone season with the organization. Despite having some minor drop issues, he proved to be a reliable target for rookie quarterback Caleb Williams to go to more often than not. Despite meeting the veteran status, Teven Jenkins will not be eligible due to time missed last year. He was a second-round draft pick of the franchise in 2021.
Originally a tackle, the Bears kicked Jenkins inside to play guard in order to establish consistency on the line. ESPN’s Courtney Cronin doesn’t believe that either veteran will be retained by the Bears after the team used their tag a year ago.
“The Bears used the franchise tag in 2024 as a placeholder on cornerback Jaylon Johnson to excute a long-term deal just two days later,” Cronin wrote. “Chicago’s top two pending free agents – receiver Keenan Allen and guard Teven Jenkins – wouldn’t qualify for the tag for a number of reasons. Allen will be 33 this season, and Jenkins missed 23 games over four seasons because of injury. It’s more likely the Bears let both players walk and find their replacements in free agency or the draft.”
Lucky for the Chicago Bears front office, they have all of the resources possible to get those replacements lined up. The team holds three draft picks inside the first two rounds and has nearly $70 million in available cap space to work with before cutting any players off the current roster.
The Chicago Bears can replace these two in the coming months
In free agency, the Chicago Bears could look at two Chiefs to replace Allen and Jenkins. Trey Smith is the most sought-after offensive lineman in the open market this offseason. He won’t come cheap, but he would be well worth the investment to shore up the interior line for a team that desperately needs help on the inside.
At the receiver position, Hollywood Brown perfectly fits the mold for this new-look Chicago Bears offense. Johnson likes quick and shifty weapons, and Brown is just that. He is coming off an injury-riddled 2024 season, so he would be a short-term cheap option that is well within the Bears’ price range.
Chicago Bears would be a fit for former Colts offensive guard in free agency
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