2025 Bears Offseason Thread

[mul21]

26 minutes ago, We Got The Whole 9 said:

Still bitter at Poles for flushing 2024 away by his indifference toward FA in 2022 and 2023. There were building blocks to be had and Caleb could have been better set up for rookie success.

I'm not sure who to be pissed at, but the decision to keep Eberflus around after the 2023 season was really the thing killed the 2024 season.

[UMFan83]

Feels like Poles always goes big right away on a top target and then goes quiet for a while.  It doesn't seem like a very many Edge/DTs are off the board yet.

[Bobson Dugnutt]

9 minutes ago, UMFan83 said:

Feels like Poles always goes big right away on a top target and then goes quiet for a while.  It doesn't seem like a very many Edge/DTs are off the board yet.

He didn’t wait too long. Dayo Odeyingbo to the Bears

 

https://x.com/underdog__nfl/status/1899170245329244281?s=46

[Old Style]

I like DLinemen from the SEC. 

[Bertz]

 

Pretty decent money too

[UMFan83]

Ima need to see some PFF grades because 3 sacks and 17 QB hits in 17 games last year isn't necessarily making me warm and fuzzy.  Not that those are the only 2 stats that make up a good Edge but..

Edit:  66.1 overall, 76th/211 Edges, 65.5 Pass Rush, 56.8 run defense

Edited March 10, 2025 by UMFan83

[bukie]

Live look at the Bears war room with regards to linemen:

[bukie]

Just now, UMFan83 said:

Ima need to see some PFF grades because 3 sacks and 17 QB hits in 17 games last year isn't necessarily making me warm and fuzzy.  Not that those are the only 2 stats that make up a good Edge but..

He's also just 25 and has the physical traits that Poles loves, so there's reason to think his best years are ahead of him. I like this better than spending, say, 18 million on Mack hoping he still has something in the tank.

[TarzanJoeWallis]

I live in Indy. Was hoping for better than Odeyingbo. Hopefully he is ready to break out. But so far he’s been a guy that looks the part, but isn’t all that great. 

[Bobson Dugnutt]

1 minute ago, UMFan83 said:

Ima need to see some PFF grades because 3 sacks and 17 QB hits in 17 games last year isn't necessarily making me warm and fuzzy.  Not that those are the only 2 stats that make up a good Edge but..

Here’s the blurb from PFF:

 

Odeyingbo has had a patient but steady ascent over his NFL tenure after he sustained an unfortunate Achilles injury during the pre-draft process that still didn't drop him past the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft. His game has rounded into form over the past two seasons, headlined by eight sacks in 2023 followed by a career-high seven tackles for loss or no gain on 67% of snaps played in 2024.

 

[bukie]

From The Athletic's top 150 free agent list:

[Bertz]

I'm pretty okay hunting for upside knowing that there's probably also going to be a top 45 pick used on the position. 

[jersey cubs fan]

Mack would probably be more impactful in 2025 but this seems like a better use of resources, going younger and betting on upside. Slightly cheaper cap hit, two years guaranteed. 

[gflore34]

23 minutes ago, bukie said:

From The Athletic's top 150 free agent list:

He doesn't have to be Richard Dent, just someone the opponents will devote resources to block thereby, making a healthy Sweat much more effective.  Who, knows, maybe, a trade for Hendrickson is still in the works.  And holding out for the possibility of Young or Davenport on the "cheap".

Edited March 10, 2025 by gflore34

[wekse]

Grady Jarrett come on down...3 years 43.5m, 28.5m guaranteed.

[Derwood]

1 minute ago, wekse said:

Grady Jarrett come on down...3 years 43.5m, 28.5m guaranteed.

 

39 minutes ago, bukie said:

Live look at the Bears war room with regards to linemen:

 

[Rex Buckingham]

I like Jarrett, interior pass rush should be improved, which makes it easier on the edges. 

I like the plan so far. Build the trenches, maybe grab a skill guy at 10, or just go get another big boy and trust Johnson and Caleb (and DJ, Rome, Kmet, etc.) to put points on the board

[jersey cubs fan]

Positional need in draft pretty much a non issue at this point. They should get an OL, DL, RB, TE and/or WR with their top 4, but could go in a variety of ways. 
 

OL and DL remain necessary as these old guys are all going to be gone in 2 years. 

[UMFan83]

What positional group is the Bears biggest weakness now?  Still Edge? Maybe RB? WR3? Overall depth?  I think the Bears have put themselves in a position where BPA will work through the draft as long as they end up with a RB, Edge defender and OL

Edit: Jersey made a very similar post right before me lol

Edited March 10, 2025 by UMFan83

[jersey cubs fan]

1 minute ago, UMFan83 said:

What positional group is the Bears biggest weakness now?  Still Edge? Maybe RB? WR3? Overall depth?  I think the Bears have put themselves in a position where BPA will work through the draft as long as they end up with a RB, Edge defender and OL

Edit: Jersey made a very similar post right before me lol

Probably LB but they don’t matter. 
 

A good d line needs a ton of guys every game to be successful. An OL can always home to play the same 5 guys every snap, it won’t happen but it’s achievable. 
 

The OL sits at 5 serviceable or better starters. 

The DL now also has 5? But need like 7/8 in the rotation. 
 

Id still vote for OL though as their interior is old and with injury questions and we still don’t like our LT. 

[minnesotacubsfan]

So far, I’m good with today’s events primarily because of the new Center. The rest I’m more meh about

[Old Style]

I love how we are addressing so many needs via trade/FA. That allows for much more flexibility with the draft and sets us up to win this season. The later rounds can be used to start building depth and hopefully finding some talent that can contribute in the near future too. 

Edited March 10, 2025 by Old Style

[We Got The Whole 9]

Love the approach; a little skeptical of the personnel. That's a lot of money for unproven potential.

[NorthsideAvenger]

Not one deal is more than 3 years. I like.

[BigSlick]

Second offseason in a row I’m very happy with how Poles is approaching the offseason. Last year didn’t work out but let’s hope eventually the moves pan out.