The Chicago Bears have been busy at the start of NFL’s free agency, where they made moves to address some key needs without making too big of a splash, unlike previous offseasons.
The Bears made some moves to improve at safety and linebacker, with the signings of Super Bowl champion Coby Bryant and former first-round pick Devin Bush, following the losses of safeties Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker, as well as linebacker Tremaine Edmunds. Chicago also made it a point to bring back some key contributors, including linebacker D’Marco Jackson, quarterback Case Keenum and left tackle Braxton Jones. At this point, this roster is far from finalized, especially as needs remain on the defensive line.
Here’s a look at every move the Bears have made during free agency so far when the new league year officially underway:
Bears lose center Drew Dalman to retirement
Salary cap impact: $10 million saved
The first domino of the Bears offseason was a complete shocker when it was announced that center Drew Dalman was retiring after just five years in the NFL. Dalman, who spent his first four seasons with the Atlanta Falcons, signed a three-year, $42 million contract with Chicago last offseason. Dalman proved to be a vital cog in the Bears’ revamped offensive line, where he earned his first career Pro Bowl nod as part of one of the league’s best units. Daman’s retirement frees up $10 million in salary cap space, but his loss is bigger than that.
Bears trade for Patriots center Garrett Bradbury
Trade details: Bears get Bradbury, Patriots get 2027 fifth-round pick
Following Drew Dalman’s shocking retirement, the Bears wasted no time addressing a big hole by trading for center Garrett Bradbury. They’re sending a 2027 fifth-round pick to the New England Patriots as compensation. While Chicago was expected to be in the market for one of the top free-agent centers, Connor McGovern re-signed with the Buffalo Bills, and Tyler Linderbaum earned an insane there-year, $81 million contract. Meanwhile, the Bears get an experienced veteran center who didn’t allow a sack last season, at an affordable price, and they could look to the 2026 NFL Draft to select their center of the future.
Bears trade receiver DJ Moore to Bills
Trade details: Bears get 2026 second-round pick, Bills get DJ Moore, 2026 fifth-round pick
Salary cap details: Bears
The Bears made their first big move of the offseason when they agreed to trade wide receiver DJ Moore to the Buffalo Bills. Not only does it free up $16.5 million in salary cap space, but Chicago was able to land a 2026 second-round pick (in exchange for a 2026 fifth rounder) in the deal. Considering Moore’s big cap hit and the fact that he’s coming off his worst statistical season, it’s a huge win for the Bears, who have plenty of young talent at receiver led by Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III.
Bears sign safety Coby Bryant
Contract details: Three years, $40 million, $25.75 million guaranteed
The Bears’ biggest addition in free agency so far has been former Seattle Seahawks safety Coby Bryant, who steps into one of the starting jobs vacated by Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker. Bryant signed a three-year, $40 million contract to add speed and ballhawk ability to Dennis Allen’s defense. Bryant, a former fourth-round pick in 2022, played a big part of Seattle’s Super Bowl run, totaling 66 tackles, four interceptions, seven pass breakups and one forced fumble in 2025. In four years with the Seahawks, Bryant totaled 227 tackles, nine tackles for loss, seven interceptions, 17 pass breakups, seven forced fumbles, two sacks and seven QB hits in 58 games with 34 starts. He’s a ballhawk who will slide into the role vacated by Byard.
Bears sign linebacker Devin Bush
Contract details: Three years, $30 million, $21 million guaranteed
The Bears found their Tremaine Edmunds replacement in former Cleveland Browns linebacker Devin Bush, who signed a three-year, $30 million deal. Bush is coming off a career year with the Browns, where he totaled 125 tackles, including seven tackles for loss, three interceptions, including two picks returned for touchdowns, eight pass breakups, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, 2.0 sacks and four QB hits in 17 starts. Bush is a former first-round pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2019 NFL Draft. He spent four years with Pittsburgh and spent a year with the Seattle Seahawks (2023) before reviving his career with the Browns (2024-25).
Bears sign defensive tackle Neville Gallimore
Contract details: Two years, $12 million
The Bears needed to add more players to the defensive tackle group, and they added a solid depth piece in Neville Gallimore, who signed a two-year, $12 million contract to join Gervon Dexter, Grady Jarrett and Shemar Turner. Gallimore, a former third-round pick in 2020, spent his first four seasons with the Dallas Cowboys before spending time with the Los Angeles Rams (2024) and Indianapolis Colts (2025). Last season with the Colts, Gallimore had a career year here he totaled 38 tackles, including four tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, six QB hits and three pass breakups in 17 games, including eight starts.
Bears re-sign linebacker D’Marco Jackson
Contract details: Two years, $7.5 million
Following the release of Tremaine Edmunds, the Bears brought back a key depth piece at linebacker with D’Marco Jackson, who signed a two-year, $7.5 million deal worth up to $10.5 million. Jackson served as key depth at linebacker, as well as a special teams contributor, for the Bears last season. When playing in relief of injured starers, Jackson played well, and this is a well-earned extension. In 16 games, including four starters, Jackson totaled 43 tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack, one interception, three pass breakups and one fumble recovery. The Bears got great value in Jackson, who stepped up amid injuries to linebackers T.J. Edwards and Edmunds last season.
Bears re-sign quarterback Case Keenum
Contract details: Two years, $5.5 million, $2.9 million guaranteed
The Bears are bringing back a key member of the offense in quarterback Case Keenum, who’s signing a two-year, $ million contract. Keenum didn’t see the field last season, but his biggest contribution has been helping Caleb Williams with his development. The fact that Chicago signed Keenum to a two-year deal certainly is interesting considering backup Tyson Bagent has drawn trade interest. Could the Bears make a move, if they get the compensation they want?
Bears re-sign offensive tackle Braxton Jones
Contract details: One year, $5 million, $3 million guaranteed
With Ozzy Trapilo expected to miss most of the 2026 season after rupturing his patellar tendon last January, the Bears re-signed Braxton Jones to a one-year deal as a short-term option at left tackle. Jones started the 2025 season as the starting left tackle before his declining play and injury resulted in him being benched in favor of Theo Benedet, who was eventually usurped by rookie Ozzy Trapilo. Jones, a former fifth-round pick, has been a great value pick for Chicago serving as a three-year starter before losing favor with the team in 2025. Now, Jones will get an opportunity to win the starting left tackle job and earn himself a long-term contract elsewhere.
Bears re-sign defensive end Daniel Hardy
Contract details: Two years, $4.97 million, $2.45 million guaranteed
The Bears locked down a key contributor in Daniel Hardy, who re-signed a two-year contract extension to remain in Chicago through 2027. Hardy has been a key depth piece off the edge but an even better special teams contributor. Hardy, a former seventh-round pick of the Los Angeles Rams in 2022, has been one of the underrated depth players on the roster since joining the Bears in 2023. Last season, Hardy totaled 22 tackles and one QB hit, as well as saw a few snaps at fullback later in the season, with Chicago.
Bears sign wide receiver Kalif Raymond
Contract details: One year, $3.5 million, $3 million guaranteed
The Bears added depth at wide receiver with the signing of Kalif Raymond to a one-year contract, reuniting him with his former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator, Ben Johnson, and wide receivers coach, Antwaan Randle-El. Chicago has a young duo of wideouts in Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III. But the Bears were in need of receiver depth following the trade of DJ Moore to the Buffalo Bills and Olamide Zaccheaus signing with the Atlanta Falcons in free agency. Raymond spent the last five seasons with the Lions, where he had 171 receptions for 2,185 yards and eight touchdowns in 77 games with 29 starts. Raymond also has special teams value as a returner, and he could be the replacement for Devin Duvernay.
Bears sign defensive back Cam Lewis
Contract details: Two years, $6 million, $2.75 million guaranteed
The Bears added depth in the secondary with the signing of Cam Lewis to a two-year deal. During his time in Buffalo, Lewis was a versatile member of the defense having played cornerback, safety and nickel cornerback during his six seasons. With Chicago losing some important pieces in their secondary this offseason, Lewis fills a depth need. He’s also a key special teams contributor. Last season with the Bills, Lewis totaled 43 tackles, including one tackle for loss, four pass breakups and two forced fumbles in 17 games with four starts.
Bears sign defensive tackle Kentavius Street
Contract details: One year, TBA
The Bears added more depth along the defensive line signing Kentavius Street to a one-year deal. He’s reunited with Dennis Allen, who he spent time with in New Orleans. Street, a former fourth-round pick in 2018, has spent time with the San Francisco 49ers (2018-21), Saints (2022), Philadelphia Eagles (2023), and most recently the Atlanta Falcons (2024-25). He has totaled 10.5 sacks in his career, and he’s coming off a two-sack season in seven games with the Falcons in 2025.
Bears sign offensive tackle Jedrick Wills Jr.
Contract details: One year, TBA
Chicago has a hole to fill at left tackle this offseason, and Braxton Jones just got some competition. The Bears signed former first-round pick Jedrick Wills Jr. to a one-year contract. While Wills got off to a promising start with the Cleveland Browns, injuries proved to be his downfall in the ensuing seasons, playing 13 combined games in 2023 and 2024, before deciding to sit out for the 2025 season. Now, Wills is returning to action and has a chance to compete for the starting left tackle job with Ozzy Trapilo expected to miss most of the season. Right now, Jones figures to be the favorite. But Wills certainly has the potential to shake things up.
Bears release linebacker Tremaine Edmunds
Salary cap impact: $15 million saved
After failing to find a trade partner, the Bears released linebacker Tremaine Edmunds to free up $15 million in salary cap space. Edmunds, who signed a four year, $72 million contract back in 2023, was a three-year starter alongside T.J. Edwards. Last season, Edmunds totaled 112 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, one sack, three QB hits, one fumble recovery, four interceptions and nine pass breakups. But given his massive cap hit, and how he never quite lived up to his lucrative deal, Chicago parted ways with the veteran and now has a starting linebacker job to fill.
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Every move the Bears have made so far in free agency
Reporting by Alyssa Barbieri, Bears Wire / Bears Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
