As the Bears head into the 2026 offseason with momentum from a magical 2025 campaign, Ryan Poles faces several critical free-agency decisions. With a roster on the rise, the goal should be clear: retain high-impact players while avoiding unnecessary overpays.
The top priority for pending free agents should be the secondary, starting with Kevin Byard. An All-Pro safety and proven leader, Byard remains one of the smartest and most reliable defensive backs in the league. His communication, positioning, and ability to stabilize the back end were invaluable in 2025. Keeping Byard should be non-negotiable. His experience and consistency are exactly what a young, playoff-caliber defense needs.
Alongside him, Jaquan Brisker and C.J. Gardner-Johnson should also be key re-signing targets. Brisker has grown into a good sometimes even great player. We saw him at his peak against the Rams. Physical, rangy, and impactful when healthy. He’s likely earned an extension, but only at the right price. A fair, incentive-based deal would protect the team from injury risk while locking in long-term upside.
Gardner-Johnson’s return would give Chicago one even more versatility. His ball skills, slot flexibility, and edge brought real juice to the defense in 2025. A multi-year deal would make sense, again at the right price.
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On the offensive line, Theo Benedet is worth bringing back as affordable depth. He showed promising play and athleticism in some snaps and could compete for a swing tackle role.
Other pending free agents: Andrew Billings, Jonathan Owens, Nahshon Wright, and Olamide Zaccheus are solid contributors but more replaceable through the draft or lower-cost veterans. Billings will be interesting name to watch for Chicago.
Poles has built a great foundation with hopefully a high floor. Prioritizing Byard as the centerpiece of the secondary, retaining Brisker and Gardner-Johnson at the right value, and keeping Benedet as depth would keep the Bears ascending without sacrificing long-term flexibility.
Smart, targeted decisions now can push this team toward deeper playoff runs in 2026 and beyond.
