The Chicago Bears flipped the script in 2025, finishing 11–6 and securing their first NFC North title since 2018. Under head coach Ben Johnson, the team achieved six consecutive home victories and a thrilling 31–27 Wild Card win over the Packers, the franchise’s first postseason victory in 15 years.
Caleb Williams set a franchise record with 3,942 passing yards, leading an offense that jumped from 32nd to 6th in total yards. The season ended in a hard-fought Divisional Round loss to the Rams. The primary struggle in 2025 was defensive consistency and pass rush.
While Chicago led the league with 33 takeaways, the defense ranked 23rd in points allowed (24.4 PPG) and struggled to generate natural pressure, finishing 26th in sacks per game. The unit was often vulnerable through the air and on the ground, sitting in the bottom 10 for both yardage categories. For 2026, the front office’s focus is on stabilizing the defensive line and adding veteran depth to the secondary.
Top 10 Free Agency Targets For Chicago Bears
1. Trey Hendrickson (DE, Cincinnati Bengals)
Hendrickson is the top solution for a Bears defense that ranked 26th in sacks per game last season. In 2025, he appeared in 7 games, recording 16 total tackles and 4.0 sacks before a late-season injury. He is one of the league’s most efficient disruptors, and pairing him with Montez Sweat would create a formidable duo.
Chicago’s defense relied heavily on takeaways to cover for a lack of consistent four-man pressure. Hendrickson provides the veteran presence needed to turn those “hurries” into sacks and improve the unit’s overall consistency.
2. Jaquan Brisker (S, Chicago Bears)
Retaining Brisker is a non-negotiable priority for the Bears’ secondary. He finished 2025 with 93 total tackles (52 solo), eight pass deflections, and 1.0 sack across 15 games. His ability to play in the box and support the run is vital for a unit that ranked in the bottom 10 for rushing yards allowed.
Brisker’s chemistry with Kevin Byard III helped the Bears lead the league in takeaways. Letting him walk would leave a massive leadership void and weaken the team’s ability to disguise coverages in Ben Johnson’s system.
3. Nahshon Wright (CB, Chicago Bears)
Wright emerged as a reliable playmaker in 2025, recording 80 total tackles and 2 fumble recoveries in 17 games. His performance earned him a Pro Bowl nod and established him as a cornerstone of the secondary. Wright’s length and ball-tracking abilities are essential for a defense that prioritizes turnovers over yardage suppression.
Given the team’s struggles in pass defense (30th in yards allowed), re-signing Wright is a crucial move. He provides the reliability needed to maintain the “takeaway-first” philosophy that fueled the team’s 11-win season.
4. Alijah Vera-Tucker (G, New York Jets)
Vera-Tucker is a versatile “fix-all” who would further solidify an offensive line that allowed only 24 sacks in 2025. He appeared in 15 games in 2024. While the Bears’ line improved significantly, adding Vera-Tucker would enhance a rushing attack that averaged 144.5 yards per game.
His ability to play both guard and tackle offers vital insurance for a unit that saw several starters end the year on the injury report. He is a perfect fit for Ben Johnson’s explosive scheme.
5. Kevin Byard III (S, Chicago Bears)
Byard was the defensive anchor of the 2025 campaign, earning First-team All-Pro honors. He recorded 93 total tackles and a team-high 7 interceptions, leading a secondary that produced a league-best 33 takeaways. His veteran leadership and high football IQ were crucial in Caleb Williams’ comeback wins.
While he is entering the latter stage of his career, his ability to understand plays and prevent explosive gains is irreplaceable. Re-signing Byard is essential for a defense that needs to improve its 23rd-ranked scoring average.
6. Jerome Baker (LB, Cleveland Browns)
Baker provides the veteran range and playmaking ability the Bears need to bolster their mid-level defense. In 2025, he recorded 40 tackles (11 solo, 29 assists) and 1.5 sacks for the Browns. Chicago’s run defense struggled significantly last season, surrendering high-volume yardage in several losses.
Baker’s speed and ability to drop into coverage fit the 4-3 alignment perfectly. He offers a high-floor starter who can support Tremaine Edmunds and ensure the defense doesn’t give up consistent yards on the ground.
Also Read: 11 Free Agents Carolina Panthers Can Target in 2026 Free Agency
7. Braxton Jones (OT, Chicago Bears)
Jones is a critical internal free agent who played a significant role in Caleb Williams’ record-breaking season. He started 4 games in 2025, providing blindside protection for an offense that finished 9th in scoring. While the unit as a whole allowed a low sack rate, Jones’ development as a pass blocker was a key factor in Williams’ comfort in the pocket. Jones provides the reliability needed to keep the Bears’ top-six offensive yardage ranking intact.
8. Olamide Zaccheaus (WR, Chicago Bears)
Zaccheaus served as a reliable third-down weapon in 2025, recording 39 receptions for 313 yards and 2 touchdowns. He provided a veteran presence in a receiving corps led by D.J. Moore and Rome Odunze. Chicago’s offense relied on high-efficiency passing to fuel its seven comeback wins.
Zaccheaus’ ability to win in the slot and contribute on special teams makes him a high-value rotational piece. Keeping him ensures that Williams has a familiar target for intermediate conversions and maintains the depth of the league’s 9th-ranked scoring offense.
9. Jacob Martin (DE, Washington Commanders)
Martin is a high-motor rotational pass rusher who recorded 39 tackles (17 solo, 22 assists) and 5.5 sacks in 2025. While Chicago has foundational pieces, it lacks a secondary speed-rusher to win on third downs without extra help. Martin takes a quick first step to disrupt the pocket and fits Ben Johnson’s high-pressure philosophy. H
e is a “low-risk, high-reward” target who helps keep the defensive front fresh throughout the 17-game season. His arrival would directly address the team’s need for more sack production.
10. Case Keenum (QB, Chicago Bears)
Retaining Keenum is a vital move for the development of Caleb Williams. While he didn’t see much game action in 2025, his role as a mentor was widely credited with helping Williams adjust and develop late-game composure. Keenum provides a high-floor insurance policy and a second coach in the locker room.
In an injury-plagued season, having a veteran who knows the Erhardt-Perkins scheme is a necessity. Re-signing him is a strategic move to preserve the culture of a team that just secured its first winning season since 2018.
