Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles knows the importance of 2026 free agency to his team. While taking big swings is unlikely to be much of a focus this year, the team still must work to improve margins. It starts with working to retain some of their in-house free agents who played big roles in helping the team make the playoffs. Yet for several days leading up to the opening of the legal tampering window, there was radio silence. Some wondered if the team was planning a bigger overhaul than expected.
Thankfully, Poles got to work just in time. It started with locking Daniel Hardy into a new two-year contract worth up to $6 million. The edge rusher was arguably the Bears’ best special teams player last season, making 11 tackles in the third phase. Keeping him helps maintain some stability in that area. Bringing back Jonathan Owens is another step they should consider.
Poles wasn’t done, though. Early Monday morning, news broke that linebacker D’Marco Jackson was also returning on a two-year deal worth up to $10.5 million. Jackson was a primary backup last season but was forced to step into the starting role after Tremaine Edmunds went down with an injury. He responded with 30 tackles, a sack, and an interception in four starts.
Ryan Poles and the Bears may have bigger plans for Jackson.
Remember, Edmunds was released last week as part of a cap-saving measure, securing $15 million in cap space. The problem is that it left a void at linebacker that they would need to fill. The draft will likely be the area they look to for a long-term solution, but bringing back Jackson gives them an option for Dennis Allen to plug into that spot immediately. He proved he could be a reliable starter last season. Why not give the 27-year-old a real chance to earn the job full-time?
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It is safe to assume Ryan Poles probably isn’t done working to bring back other guys. The big name everyone is watching is Kevin Byard. The veteran safety made All-Pro last season with seven interceptions. He was a vital presence on the back end of the defense. Others to watch include Owens, fellow special teams ace Elijah Hicks, blocking tight end Durham Smythe, quarterback Case Keenum, guard Jordan McFadden, and maybe left tackle Braxton Jones. Much depends on what players the team may be eyeing on the open market.
The Bears still have some cap moves left to make.
With their likely cuts and trades concluded, the only option remaining is to restructure some contracts for key veteran players. Montez Sweat and Joe Thuney are obvious possibilities. Both aren’t going anywhere and could help free up another $20 million in space. It all depends on how aggressive Poles and the Bears’ brass want to be. SM was recently informed that the primary focus is on younger free agents with upside. That often means a team will stick to the mid-tier market, hoping to find cheaper solutions.
You can’t say it doesn’t work. That is how the team landed Nahshon Wright and Jackson last year. Both played pivotal roles in helping the team reach the postseason. It feels like Poles is reluctant to swing big this year after getting burned by Dayo Odeyingbo last offseason. The team wants to focus on the draft, in which they have four picks in the first three rounds. That isn’t a bad strategy after such a successful class last year. It will be interesting to see who else they retain.
