The Chicago Bears’ work in 2026 free agency has begun. The first day of legal tampering isn’t even over, and they’ve already made six moves. All of them carry an interesting message about the team’s plans as things keep unfolding. For one, five of the six moves were on defense, making it pretty clear Bears general manager Ryan Poles is focused on getting Dennis Allen’s unit some help. There has only been one offensive move, and it carries some interesting undertones about what else could be coming.

This tracker will help Bears fans stay in the loop on what’s happening. It will be updated regularly as more moves come down the pipeline.

Chicago Bears in-house free agent returns

EDGE Daniel Hardy – 2-year deal for $6 million

Arguably, the Bears’ best special teams player last year has become a mainstay in the third phase since arriving a few years ago. A valued member of the roster.

LB D’Marco Jackson – 2-year deal for $10.5 million

His standout play after stepping in for an injured Tremaine Edmunds certainly delivered a strong argument that he deserved an opportunity to compete for the starting job.

QB Case Keenum – 2-year deal for $8 million

He never played a snap, but Keenum’s value to the team was immeasurable. He mentored Caleb Williams, who had a breakout season, breaking the Chicago Bears’ single-season passing record.

LT Braxton Jones – 1-year deal for $10 million

The Chicago Bears have chosen to dance with the devil they know over the one they don’t. Jones is healthy now, understands the system, and can be a solid player. He should buy them the time they need.

S Elijah Hicks – 1-year deal

A primary backup on defense, the real value of Hicks is on special teams where he’s carved out a role as one of the best on the team.

Outside additions

S Coby Bryant – 3-year deal for $40 million

A versatile, playmaking safety from the defending champion Seattle Seahawks. He has seven interceptions in his last two seasons and can be used as a chess piece all over the field.

LB Devin Bush – 3-year deal for $30 million

The former 1st round pick had an uneven start to his career with inconsistency marring his time in Pittsburgh and Seattle. However, he seemed to blossom as a weakside linebacker in Cleveland.

DT Neville Gallimore – 2-year deal for $12 million

He’ll never be the anchor a defensive line, but he’s proven to be a valuable rotational defensive tackle who can give you some pressure up the middle every week.

WR Khalif Raymond – 1-year deal for $5.1 million

Speed has been a focus for the Chicago Bears this offseason and Raymond checks that box in a big way. Not only is he a deep threat, but also an All-Pro punt returner.

CB Cam Lewis – 2-year deal

Dennis Allen loves his versatile defensive backs. Little bounced between safety and slot cornerback in Buffalo, similar to how C.J. Gardner-Johnson operated last season.

DT Kentavius Street

The Bears like having power up front and Street has plenty of that. He’s not the quickest or most athletic, but he can squeeze the pocket and has some decent rush moves.

OT Jedrick Wills

A former 1st round pick who dominated at Alabama and had early flashes in his career before consistency and health issues intervened. Still young and worth a flier.

The Chicago Bears‘ silence at safety over the past week confused a lot of people. Wasn’t keeping Kevin Byard one of their priorities? Apparently not. Just over an hour into the legal tampering window, the team struck a deal with Coby Bryant, a major playmaker for the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks. The former 4th-round pick emerged as a commanding presence on Mike MacDonald’s dominant defense over the past two years, snagging 7 interceptions in that span.

He added 139 tackles, two forced fumbles, and 13 passes defended. His versatility was what stood out the most, as he was always moved around like a chess piece. His range and ball skills speak for themselves. Opponents often regret testing him deep. The Bears appear not to have wanted to bring Byard, who turns 33 in August. This aligns with the reported team objective of getting faster on defense. Bryant runs a 4.54, which is more than respectable for a safety.

Coby Bryant makes the Bears’ plans at safety pretty clear.

Byard is unlikely to return, as the new addition plays a similar role. The question now is whether the Bears shift to Jaquan Brisker instead. That seems unlikely. Projections have the former 2nd round pick commanding around $10 million per year. Under the circumstances, it is a safe bet the team will go hunting for Bryant’s wingman in the draft. This 2026 class is strong at the position. There are as many as three names who could go in the 1st round alone. The Bears should have no problem finding somebody they like. Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen is no stranger to developing safeties.

See Vonn Bell, Marcus Williams, and C.J. Gardner-Johnson for examples. It is hardly shocking that Allen has an eye for Coby Bryant. He’s a highly instinctive player with a standout football IQ and obvious leadership qualities, according to what you hear out of Seattle. The fact that he successfully transitioned from cornerback after being drafted to become this good tells you how much he loves the game and takes it seriously. Having somebody like that on the roster is what the Bears need.

Bryant is only the start of the overhaul.

Chicago intends to get younger and faster. Every position group is liable to see one notable fresh face before this is over. Neville Gallimore joined the defensive tackle group and won’t be alone for long. Edge rusher is almost certain to get early attention in the draft. Linebacker needs at least one and maybe two new starters. Even cornerback is a question mark with Nahshon Wright set to leave in free agency. Everything depends on where the Bears allocate the remainder of their limited cap space.

Either way, Coby Bryant will be a fun addition to this defense. He has the exact mentality head coach Ben Johnson covets: a football junky. The Bears need more of those guys if they’re going to challenge for a championship. Bryant already saw the blueprint unfold with the Seahawks. He can help guide this team as well. He’ll certainly be in capable hands with Allen. This defense could look much more formidable soon. The first steps are in the right direction.

The Chicago Bears didn’t make a splash with their first official signing of 2026 free agency. Fans won’t be happy about that. However, that doesn’t general manager Ryan Poles made a bad decision. Chicago is signing veteran defensive tackle Neville Gallimore to a two-year deal worth $12 million. For all the talk about finding star power, it’s important to note that the Bears have serious depth concerns at defensive tackle. Andrew Billings is a free agent. Chris Williams is a free agent. Shemar Turner tore his ACL. Grady Jarrett is in his mid-30s. They needed another body in the worst way.

Gallimore isn’t flashy, but he brings solid value as an interior pass rusher. In a rotational role with the Indianapolis Colts last season, he had 3.5 sacks and 17 pressures on the quarterback. That should give the Bears front some added juice as they likely go hunting for additional help in the draft. Fans must unclench and see this move for what it is. The Bears wanted some stable depth and made sure to get it before other teams started thinking about it. Pretty smart business.

This is the first step in the Chicago Bears’ retooling of their D-line.

We’ve known that Dennis Allen doesn’t share Matt Eberflus’s view of how a front should be constructed. His approach has always been straightforward. He wants big, strong defensive ends who can set the edge against the run, and quick defensive tackles who can squeeze the pocket up the middle. Gallimore is a perfect fit for that style of defense. While not overly explosive, he has a strong motor, violent hands, and an understanding of how to get up the field. He should ease the burden on Jarrett and Gervon Dexter.

Make no mistake. Gallimore is not THE solution at defensive tackle for the Chicago Bears. He is only part of it. There will almost certainly be at least one more addition between now and May. Smart money says it will be in the draft. There is an intriguing crop of talent in the group, especially at nose tackle. As of now, the Bears don’t have anybody who fits that role. They could easily change that in the 2nd or 3rd round. That group, in general, should look significantly different when the dust settles two months from now.

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?

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.

Free agency has always operated according to a specific schedule. Teams are forbidden from having communication with pending free agents until the legal tampering window opens, and then they have 48 hours until the new league year begins. During that time, teams were strictly permitted to communicate only through a player’s agent. It’s been this way since pretty much the inception of free agency in the 1990s. However, the NFL is about to enact a change, and it may give the Chicago Bears and, more specifically, head coach Ben Johnson a decisive advantage.

According to Tom Pelissero, the league will allow teams to conduct a one-hour video or phone call between them and five free agents of their choice. They no longer have to go through agents. This gives them unprecedented access to players they covet, helping them better communicate their interest and the vision they have for those players. This could be particularly advantageous for teams with a head coach known for strong communication and for connecting with players.

Somebody like Johnson.

Ben Johnson is well-equipped for this.

It was clear from the moment he walked through those doors at Halas Hall that the man was a gifted communicator. He not only knew how to convey his message but also how to implement his plan. There was never any doubt about who he was and the identity he wanted to forge. Every player on his roster would have a role to play, provided they were willing to work and put in the effort. Listen to his locker room speeches. Watch how the players react to him. That is a man who understands psychology better than most.

So now you plan to give that guy a full hour to sales pitch five free agents before the market opens? That might as well be cheating. If Johnson sees a player who can help the Bears win, you can bet he will have a hell of a speech prepared. Draft prospects raved about their interviews with him. This is the same setup but without the roadblock of being in a position to pick those players. All the Bears have to do is place a call and make their case. They have the perfect frontman for that.

One name stands out as an obvious target.

That is, of course, Taylor Decker. Chicago needs help at left tackle with Ozzy Trapilo nursing a knee injury that will keep him out for most of next season. Decker started ten seasons for the Detroit Lions, including three of them with Ben Johnson as the offensive coordinator. Plenty of teams will be interested in making Decker their starter, but the Bears now have the unquestioned inside edge because the rule permits Johnson to communicate with his former player directly. Unless the Bears try to completely lowball him on a new contract, that should be a slam dunk move.

From there, it will be a test to see if Johnson can work that same mojo on some defensive free agents the Bears will undoubtedly have their eyes on. While the team may not have proposed this new rule, there is no question they’re positioned to take full advantage of it.

The Chicago Bears have already been busy over the past few days. General manager Ryan Poles had to get under the salary cap and prepare the roster for some retooling. He didn’t waste any time. Wide receiver D.J. Moore was traded to the Buffalo Bills along with a 5th round pick in exchange for a 2nd round pick. That cleared $16.5 million from the books. Next went Tremaine Edmunds, released to free up another $15 million. Drew Dalman’s abrupt retirement will net the Bears an additional $14 million, putting them in the black. That is why they quickly swung a trade with New England for veteran center Garrett Bradbury.

The legal tampering period is now set to open on Monday. That means teams will be free to start negotiating with pending free agents while also working fast to retain any other guys before they go elsewhere. Fans are desperate to know what the Bears have planned. Some believe they will take a big swing for a top name, hoping to land a difference-maker. However, people close to Halas Hall revealed to SM that the plan is much simpler and familiar to some.

It is expected that the Bears will focus on every younger “high upside player.” This is basically a strategy Poles has utilized in the past when he doesn’t plan to spend big money, hoping to find good depth and maybe score a couple of starters.

The Chicago Bears clearly seem focused on the draft.

While there is no shortage of prominent names in this free agent class, most of them have asterisks next to. Some of it is because they’re on the older side at 30+, while others dealt with injury issues last season. Trey Hendrickson, a popular one among Bears fans, is a perfect example. Poles and head coach Ben Johnson aren’t willing to commit another lofty contract to such players after what happened with Grady Jarrett and Dayo Odeyingbo last year. They want to take calculated gambles on younger players who have talent and maybe something to prove.

Such a strategy is often utilized by teams planning to stay focused on the draft. That is what the Bears did when Poles first arrived. It was hit-and-miss in terms of success. Byron Pringle, Equanimeous St. Brown, Nicholas Morrow, and Al-Quadin Muhammad never amounted to much. On the other hand, DeMarcus Walker and Andrew Billings were great additions in 2023. So it entirely depends on landing the right player at the right time. Such a strategy depends heavily on the coaching staff, which is great news for the Chicago Bears.

The goal of this approach is simple.

Chicago isn’t aiming to swing for the fences. Their objective comes in two parts. First, add some younger legs to the roster, increase team depth and speed, and maybe get lucky by unearthing a few quality starters. Spread that money across as many positions as possible. This will allow Poles to enter the draft without a glaring need that might pressure him to address it in the 1st round. He will be free to select the best player available, regardless of position.

That approach is what led the Bears to Colston Loveland and Luther Burden last year. Nobody is complaining about that. Sure, big swings are fun and create hype. Yet history says they almost never have the desired effect. That is why Poles constantly talks about being disciplined with their spending. That is unlikely to change now. Not unless Ben Johnson decides to throw caution to the wind.

The Chicago Bears scored big last year when they drafted Kyle Monangai in the 7th round out of Rutgers. He immediately became a key contributor in their #3-ranked rushing attack alongside D’Andre Swift. It was proof that head coach Ben Johnson still had a sharp eye for running backs. It led some to wonder if he might continue tweaking the position going into 2026. High draft picks are out of the question, but another late-rounder could make sense to provide some depth and versatility.

Sure enough, college insider Thomas Christopher reported that several teams were on hand for Navy Football’s pro day. The Bears were one of them. Most agree that the only prospect there to draw such a crowd is running back Eli Heidenreich. He was easily one of the most versatile offensive weapons in college football, rushing for 499 yards and receiving for 941 while scoring nine touchdowns. He’s lauded for his physical running style, good speed, and versatility as a pass catcher.

Heidenreich has drawn comparisons to former New England Patriots standouts like Danny Woodhead and James White. Neither were franchise-caliber guys, but so difficult to account for because they were used in so many different ways.

Ben Johnson is no stranger to such players.

He’d watched the Miami Dolphins utilize Damien Williams in that fashion for years before he left for Kansas City and became an eventual Super Bowl hero. He wasn’t flashy, but he could run the ball well and was a good pass catcher. It didn’t matter that he wasn’t the strongest or the fastest. He had enough talent mixed with competence to give offensive coordinators options. Heidenreich is built the same way. People will talk about his lack of pure athleticism and mass all day. Then they will watch him join the legion of similar players who manage to carve out a quality NFL career, because it’s never been just about raw physical skill.

It isn’t surprising the Bears are looking into running backs. They have questions about the position that need to be addressed. Travis Homer is a free agent. D’Andre Swift is in the last year of his contract. They need to consider adding some depth. After all, the Bears were fortunate that injuries didn’t hit the position hard last season. Heidenreich will be a cheaper option who should prove more valuable than his draft projections indicate, provided he lands under the right offensive mind.

The Bears will likely be regular investors at running back.

That comes from the nature of deploying a run-heavy offense. Ben Johnson wants to deploy his offense through the running game. It eases pressure on the quarterback and opens up opportunities downfield through play-action. It’s the most battle-tested approach to football there is, but Johnson just does it in more modern ways. It would make sense he’d want a deep stable of running backs, both for depth and versatility purposes. Heidenreich could be a perfect member of such a stable.

He also likely isn’t the only name they’re looking at. There are plenty of other names in this class who fit what Johnson likes. The smart thing to do is keep an eye on those who have considerable speed. It was a big emphasis during his time in Detroit, and it’s been indicated that it hasn’t changed. Keep the name circled. If he’s around on day three, the Bears could pounce.