It’s been a busy start to free agency for the Chicago Bears, who have been adding new players and re-signing key in-house free agents as general manager Ryan Poles bolsters the roster heading into Ben Johnson’s second season.
The Bears had some pressing needs heading into free agency, mostly on defense, that included the defensive line (both edge and interior), safety, linebacker and left tackle. There are also depth needs at cornerback and wide receiver. Poles has been hard at work retooling the roster, including adding speed to the defense. And while there weren’t any major splashes like in year’s past, Chicago made some sneaky good moves early in free agency.
Follow along as we break down every move involving the Bears in free agency (most recent moves appear first):
Bears re-sign OL Jordan McFadden
The move: Bears re-sign Jordan McFadden to a one-year deal (source)
What it means: McFadden served as depth along the interior offensive line last season, where he didn’t see any significant action until the divisional round playoffs against the Los Angeles Rams. McFadden got the start at left guard with Joe Thuney kicking over to left tackle to replace Ozzy Trapilo, who suffered a ruptured patellar tendon the previous week. While this doesn’t exactly move the needle, it’s an important depth signing to shore up an offensive line that will have new starters at left tackle and center this season.
Bears sign OT Jedrick Wills Jr.
The move: Bears are signing Jedrick Wills Jr. to a one-year deal (source)
What it means: Chicago just added competition for Braxton Jones at left tackle with the addition of former first-round pick Wills Jr. With Ozzy Trapilo expected to miss most of the 2026 season after rupturing his patellar tendon back in January, the Bears need a short-term solution, at worst, for this season. Bringing back Jones was key. But now, adding competition in Wills, who took the 2025 season off to get healthy, should help ensure the best left tackle option in 2026.
Bears re-sign S Elijah Hicks
The move: Bears are re-signing Elijah Hicks to a one-year deal (source)
What it means: Chicago was set to lose all four safeties from a season ago, and right now Hicks is the only one returning to the roster. Hicks served as key depth and a special teams contributor, which he’ll continue to do behind new starting safety Coby Bryant and another starter-to-be-named later this offseason.
Former Bears S Kevin Byard to sign with Patriots
The move: Patriots agreed to terms with Kevin Byard on one-year, $9 million contract (source)
What it means: The Bears are losing a key contributor and leader on defense with Byard, who played a key role on the team over the last two seasons. It sounds like Byard was deciding between returning to Chicago and reuniting with Mike Vrabel in New England, and he opted to go the New England route. The Bears had already signed Coby Bryant at the start of free agency, and he’s essentially Byard’s replacement. Now, Chicago has a starting job to fill, whether it’s through the draft or even considering bringing Jaquan Brisker back.
Former Bears DT Chris Williams to sign with Falcons
The move: Falcons agreed to terms with Chris Williams on one-year, $2 million contract (source)
What it means: The Bears weren’t expected to bring back Williams after making a couple of depth moves along the interior defensive line with Neville Gallimore and Kentavius Street. Now, Williams reunites with former Bears assistant GM Ian Cunningham in Atlanta, where he’ll compete for playing time.
Bears to sign DE Kentavius Street
The move: Bears agreed to terms with Kentavius Street (source)
What it means: This move doesn’t exactly move the needle for Chicago, but it’s a solid depth move to add Street to the mix. He brings versatility to the roster having played both defensive end and defensive tackle during his time with the Falcons. There’s also a familiarity with defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, who coached Street with the Saints in 2022. With that said, Street isn’t necessarily a lock to make the roster.
Bears to sign DB Cam Lewis
The move: Bears agreed to terms with Cam Lewis on a two-year contract (source)
What it means: The Bears took a hit this offseason with losing cornerback Nahshon Wright and safeties Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker. But Chicago found solid depth in Lewis, who has proven his versatility having played cornerback, safety and nickel cornerback during his six seasons with the Bills. Lewis figures to be a depth piece, much like he was in Buffalo last season, but he also provides special teams value.
Former Bears CB Nahshon Wright to sign with Jets
The move: Jets agreed to terms with Nahshon Wright on a one-year, $5.5 million max contract (source)
What it means: The Bears are in the market for a new starting cornerback opposite Jaylon Johnson on the outside. The fact that Chicago let Wright walk on that deal certainly feels like they’re confident in their next plan of action. Whether that’s looking in-house to Tyrique Stevenson, Terell Smith or Zah Frazier or even adding more competition in the 2026 NFL Draft. Wright gets a deserved pay raise while the Bears are looking for a new starting cornerback.
Bears to sign WR Kalif Raymond
The move: Bears agreed to terms with Kalif Raymond on a one-year, $3.5 million contract (source)
What it means: Chicago added valuable depth at receiver with Raymond, who reunites with Ben Johnson and Antwaan Randle-El after their time with the Lions. Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III are the starting wideouts, but following the departures of DJ Moore (via trade) and Olamide Zaccheaus (in free agency), the Bears needed to find a WR3. Raymond also has special teams value, where he could carve out a role for himself as a return specialist, which could mean Chicago isn’t bringing back Devin Duvernay.
Bears re-sign LT Braxton Jones
The move: Bears re-signed Braxton Jones to a one-year, $5 million contract (source)
What it means: Chicago has a hole to fill at left tackle for the second straight offseason, and the competition is shaping up to be a familiar one between Jones, Theo Benedet and Kiran Amegadjie. With Ozzy Trapilo expected to miss most of the 2026 season, the Bears could be looking for a short-term solution to fill the void before he returns from his ruptured patellar tendon. This could provide Jones, who was recovering from an injury last season, an opportunity to prove himself in a one-year stint and earn a multi-year extension elsewhere next season.
Bears re-sign QB Case Keenum
The move: Bears re-signed Case Keenum to a two-year, $5.5 million contract (source)
What it means: Tyson Bagent is still on the roster…at least for now. But you have to wonder, with it being a two-year extension for Keenum, if the Bears are preparing to deal Bagent for a draft pick. Keenum was invaluable to Caleb Williams last season as an additional coach, and he’ll once again be tasked with helping Williams’ development. And Keenum very well could find himself as Williams’ backup in the end.
Giants sign former Bears LB Tremaine Edmunds
The move: Giants signed Tremaine Edmunds to a three-year, $36 million contract (source)
What it means: Chicago released Edmunds ahead of free agency in what was a salary cap move that saved them $15 million in cap space. Edmunds was entering the final year of his contract with the Bears, but he was slated to have a $17 million cap hit in 2026. Instead, Chicago parted ways with Edmunds and signed two linebackers for the same price: Landing Devin Bush and re-signing D’Marco Jackson.
Former Bears DE Dominique Robinson to sign with Texans
The move: Texans agreed to terms with Dominique Robinson on a one-year contract worth up to $4 million (source)
What it means: The Bears are looking to improve their pass rush this offseason, which will include some new faces at defensive end to pair with Montez Sweat, Dayo Odeyingbo and Austin Booker. Robinson earned himself a nice pay raise with a dominant Texans defense, where he’ll get a chance to earn playing time alongside Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter.
Bears to sign LB Devin Bush
The move: Bears agreed to terms with Devin Bush on a three-year, $30 million contract (source)
What it means: The Bears moved on from Tremaine Edmunds before free agency kicked off, and they managed to use that money to land two linebackers: Bush and re-signing D’Marco Jackson. The former first-round pick experienced a career-resurgence with the Browns, where he excelled against the run and improved in coverage. The Bush signing also drives home the fact that Chicago has been preaching speed on defense, which they got in spades with Bush.
Bears to sign S Coby Bryant
The move: Bears agreed to terms with Coby Bryant on a three-year, $40 million contract (source)
What it means: With starters Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker on the free-agent market, Chicago addressed a big need in the secondary with Bryant, who’s fresh off a Super Bowl championship with the Seahawks. Bryant, who thrived in coverage, brings speed and physicality on defense, and he’s also a ballhawk who should thrive in Dennis Allen’s defense. Whether the Bears opt to bring back Byard or Brisker to pair with him remains to be seen.
Bears to sign DT Neville Gallimore
The move: Bears agreed to terms with Neville Gallimore on a two-year, $12 million contract (source)
What it means: Chicago added depth and a rotational piece to their interior defensive line with Gallimore, who joins a room featuring starters Gervon Dexter and Grady Jarrett, as well as last year’s second-round rookie Shemar Turner. Following Andrew Billings’ departure in free agency, the Bears add an experienced interior depth piece who also brings interior pass rush.
Former Bears WR Olamide Zaccheaus to sign with Falcons
The move: Falcons to sign Olamide Zaccheaus to unspecified contract (source)
What it means: Chicago has lost two receivers this offseason after trading DJ Moore to the Bills and Zaccheaus signing with the Falcons. While the Bears are set with Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III as their starting duo, they need to add depth at receiver behind Jahdae Walker this offseason. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see them bring back Devin Duvernay, who saw limited action on offense but was an asset as a return specialist.
Bears re-sign LB D’Marco Jackson
The move: Bears re-signed D’Marco Jackson to a two-year, $7.5 million contract (source)
What it means: Following Tremaine Edmunds’ release before free agency, the Bears had a hole to fill at linebacker alongside T.J. Edwards, who’s returning from injury. Jackson stepped up last season amid injuries to Edmunds and Edwards, and he more than earned an extension. He’ll likely see extended action with Edmunds’ departure, although it probably won’t be in a starting role after the Devin Bush signing. Still, Chicago locked down a key defensive piece and special teams contributor at an affordable price.
Bears re-sign DE Daniel Hardy
The move: Bears re-signed Daniel Hardy to a two-year, $5 million contract (source)
What it means: Hardy’s extension won’t exactly move the needle for the Bears. But he’s been an underrated, solid rotational player off the edge, but most importantly he’s one of the team’s best special teams contributors. While Chicago will likely look to address edge rusher in the NFL draft, it never hurts to have depth at that position, as well as a key special teamer who brings the physicality to Richard Hightower’s unit.
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears free agency: Breaking down every move involving Chicago
Reporting by Alyssa Barbieri, Bears Wire / Bears Wire
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