2025 Bears Offseason Thread

[jumbo]

On 3/16/2025 at 9:22 AM, CubinNY said:

I’m getting caught up on Bears articles on the Athletic this morning. It sure seems like this is Johnson’s team now. Poles was barely mentioned. If I’m Poles I kind of like that but I don’t 

I think Poles is (and has been) asking the coach what he wants and going and getting it. I'm hoping his bad moves can be blamed on that (probably just a few, ha)

[BigbadB]

They are bringing Homer back on a 1 year/2m deal. Special Teams guy.

[Derwood]

Poles and Johnson were scouting at Ohio State but didn't attend Jeanty's pro day

[MidoreX]

7 hours ago, Derwood said:

Poles and Johnson were scouting at Ohio State but didn't attend Jeanty's pro day

There are 8-10 potential NFL players at OSU's pro day vs only really Jeanty at Boise's, and they'll bring him in for a top 30 visit anyways, so it's just a better allocation of time/resources to go to OSU

Edited March 28, 2025 by MidoreX

[minnesotacubsfan]

1 hour ago, MidoreX said:

There are 8-10 potential NFL players at OSU's pro day vs only really Jeanty at Boise's, and they'll bring him in for a top 30 visit anyways, so it's just a better allocation of time/resources to go to OSU

well, that, and if you dont know how good Jeanty is by know you shouldnt be in the position to draft him anyway.

[Tryptamine]

Sure doesn't sound like Jeanty is getting past Oakland anyway. My guess is whichever of Jeanty or Jalon make it to the Bears, that's who they're going with. If neither make it, then I'm honestly not sure at this point.

[Derwood]

2 minutes ago, Tryptamine said:

Sure doesn't sound like Jeanty is getting past Oakland anyway. My guess is whichever of Jeanty or Jalon make it to the Bears, that's who they're going with. If neither make it, then I'm honestly not sure at this point.

Will Campbell, probably 

[Wilson A2000]

32 minutes ago, Derwood said:

Will Campbell, probably 

And his now longer arms

[musclemom]

On 3/18/2025 at 4:42 AM, BigbadB said:

They are bringing Homer back on a 1 year/2m deal. Special Teams guy.

[raw]

Some draft thoughts, it's been a minute so sorry for the length

QB- no need to use a draft pick here. Maybe bring in a vet at some point

RB- I keep coming back to the 2022 Lions. Ben had Swift, yet Jamaal Williams out carried him 262 to 99. Swift had a bunch of targets in the pass game, but I don't think he's going to be the primary rusher. That means taking RB likely very early. I think Jeanty is a legit target at 10 (hope they don't trade up). Obviously, the Lions signed Montgomery and took Gibbs round 1 a couple years ago, so Ben has no issues using a 1st on a RB as a general philosophy. But I could also see them trading back and taking Omarion Hampton. Be a fun story to have Ben's first ever draft pick as a HC be a RB from his alma mater. Maybe neither works out and they take RB at 39 or 41, but I can't imagine them NOT taking a RB in the top 50.

WR- not a huge need, but they seem to be missing the pure speed element. DJ, Rome and Zaccheus are plenty fast, but a true burner would be really fun. I absolutely LOVE the projected Day 2 WRs in this class. The Bears also have Isaiah Bond (4.3s) as a 30-visit, who I don't love. But there's also Thornton from Tenn and some Day 3 guys that can really fly.

TE- lot tying the Bears to Tyler Warren interest at 10. IDK if the Bears share that interest. Ben runs a lot of 2 TE stuff, but his TE2s have historically been afterthoughts as UDFAs or very late picks. I do like this TE class as well, there's some good early round talent, but I really think the sweet spot is Day 3 in the 5th or 6th. You have guys like Luke Lachey, Thomas Fidone, Ben Yurosek and Jalin Conyers who were all highly thought of/recruited at some point before injuries/transfers that are really intriguing.

OL- starters appear to be set, but the depth is lowkey worse than last year. It's basically all the same backups except don't have Pryor or Borom this year. The Bears still need to invest heavily here. 2 starters are FAs after 2025 and 3 starters missed 4+ games last year. Need at least 1 of the top 3 picks spent here and I'd love a developmental guy in the 4th (don't have one currently) or 5th. If they don't like Braxton or Kiran long-term at LT, they are going to have to take OT at 10 or 39. If they do like either or both, then take a guy at either of those picks or 41 that potentially can play the interior. Wouldn't mind a vet add too, wanted Pryor back.

DE- Dayo is solid. Neither he nor Sweat are great. Probably not going to get "great" in this draft, but may be able to get a really good pass rusher. Again, going to have to do so with 1 of the first 3 picks (if you're scoring at home that makes RB, OL, DE the first 3 picks). May be nobody worth of 10, pickings could be slim by 39. Interesting decision to make here, but definitely don't have enough here.

DT- Grady Jarrett helps a TON here. Good signing. Bears have Chris Williams, Pickens, and Jon Ford as depth for DT4. This also happens to be a great DT class, and I personally wouldn't really count on Billings coming off injury and turned 30. I'd love another run stuffer, if he has some pass rush juice even better. Deep class, but as with every position ever, better guys are going to take earlier picks. 

LB- another lowkey need. Have some depth, but none with much experience or any upside. Also Edwards is a FA after the year, Edmunds is a cut candidate. They'll add a draft pick here, I'd hope. Probably day 3, but could see a guy at 72 really pique their interest. 

S- Every single safety on the roster is a FA. Brisker also may or may not be a career ending concussion waiting to happen. This is lowkey a potentially huge need. Hicks, Owens, Moore are decent depth, don't want any of them starting multiple games. Again, if you want a real guy you don't dread being on the field, going to have to pick with one of the first 4 picks (if you're scoring at home....that's OL, RB, DE, DT, and safety for 4 top 75 picks, with LB, WR and TE being potentially picked if you love a guy there early). I'd probably rip up Byard's contract and give him a new 2-year deal just to have someone under contract for 2026, then draft a guy somewhere and plan on going S early next year along w/ another FA signing.

CB- kind of a luxury pick. Probably the least "needed" position other than QB. But Stevenson was really bad last year. Depth is OK. You have Terrell Smith and Blackwell, but CB seems like a position that could really have some good players falling to favorable draft positions, including 10 where it seems like Will Johnson (an elite prospect IMO) will be on the board. That being said, I think with Tyrique going to workout at that CB camp at the request of Al Harris, that means he's going to be given every chance to start. I wouldn't hate an experienced vet to keep him looking over his shoulder (hopefully not mid play this time). 

And while I'm here, why not look at late kickers. A bigger leg is a luxury need, but if you can accomplish a lot of the other things, spending a 6th or 7th or a kicker wouldn't be the worst idea. I expect a UDFA added though.

[Derwood]

Most mocks I have seen have Jeanty off the board (Vegas) and Warren off the board (Jets) prior to pick 10

[raw]

Most mocks also had Rome Odunze going before 9 at this point last year.

[BigbadB]

20 hours ago, raw said:

Some draft thoughts, it's been a minute so sorry for the length

QB- no need to use a draft pick here. Maybe bring in a vet at some point

RB- I keep coming back to the 2022 Lions. Ben had Swift, yet Jamaal Williams out carried him 262 to 99. Swift had a bunch of targets in the pass game, but I don't think he's going to be the primary rusher. That means taking RB likely very early. I think Jeanty is a legit target at 10 (hope they don't trade up). Obviously, the Lions signed Montgomery and took Gibbs round 1 a couple years ago, so Ben has no issues using a 1st on a RB as a general philosophy. But I could also see them trading back and taking Omarion Hampton. Be a fun story to have Ben's first ever draft pick as a HC be a RB from his alma mater. Maybe neither works out and they take RB at 39 or 41, but I can't imagine them NOT taking a RB in the top 50.

WR- not a huge need, but they seem to be missing the pure speed element. DJ, Rome and Zaccheus are plenty fast, but a true burner would be really fun. I absolutely LOVE the projected Day 2 WRs in this class. The Bears also have Isaiah Bond (4.3s) as a 30-visit, who I don't love. But there's also Thornton from Tenn and some Day 3 guys that can really fly.

TE- lot tying the Bears to Tyler Warren interest at 10. IDK if the Bears share that interest. Ben runs a lot of 2 TE stuff, but his TE2s have historically been afterthoughts as UDFAs or very late picks. I do like this TE class as well, there's some good early round talent, but I really think the sweet spot is Day 3 in the 5th or 6th. You have guys like Luke Lachey, Thomas Fidone, Ben Yurosek and Jalin Conyers who were all highly thought of/recruited at some point before injuries/transfers that are really intriguing.

OL- starters appear to be set, but the depth is lowkey worse than last year. It's basically all the same backups except don't have Pryor or Borom this year. The Bears still need to invest heavily here. 2 starters are FAs after 2025 and 3 starters missed 4+ games last year. Need at least 1 of the top 3 picks spent here and I'd love a developmental guy in the 4th (don't have one currently) or 5th. If they don't like Braxton or Kiran long-term at LT, they are going to have to take OT at 10 or 39. If they do like either or both, then take a guy at either of those picks or 41 that potentially can play the interior. Wouldn't mind a vet add too, wanted Pryor back.

DE- Dayo is solid. Neither he nor Sweat are great. Probably not going to get "great" in this draft, but may be able to get a really good pass rusher. Again, going to have to do so with 1 of the first 3 picks (if you're scoring at home that makes RB, OL, DE the first 3 picks). May be nobody worth of 10, pickings could be slim by 39. Interesting decision to make here, but definitely don't have enough here.

DT- Grady Jarrett helps a TON here. Good signing. Bears have Chris Williams, Pickens, and Jon Ford as depth for DT4. This also happens to be a great DT class, and I personally wouldn't really count on Billings coming off injury and turned 30. I'd love another run stuffer, if he has some pass rush juice even better. Deep class, but as with every position ever, better guys are going to take earlier picks. 

LB- another lowkey need. Have some depth, but none with much experience or any upside. Also Edwards is a FA after the year, Edmunds is a cut candidate. They'll add a draft pick here, I'd hope. Probably day 3, but could see a guy at 72 really pique their interest. 

S- Every single safety on the roster is a FA. Brisker also may or may not be a career ending concussion waiting to happen. This is lowkey a potentially huge need. Hicks, Owens, Moore are decent depth, don't want any of them starting multiple games. Again, if you want a real guy you don't dread being on the field, going to have to pick with one of the first 4 picks (if you're scoring at home....that's OL, RB, DE, DT, and safety for 4 top 75 picks, with LB, WR and TE being potentially picked if you love a guy there early). I'd probably rip up Byard's contract and give him a new 2-year deal just to have someone under contract for 2026, then draft a guy somewhere and plan on going S early next year along w/ another FA signing.

CB- kind of a luxury pick. Probably the least "needed" position other than QB. But Stevenson was really bad last year. Depth is OK. You have Terrell Smith and Blackwell, but CB seems like a position that could really have some good players falling to favorable draft positions, including 10 where it seems like Will Johnson (an elite prospect IMO) will be on the board. That being said, I think with Tyrique going to workout at that CB camp at the request of Al Harris, that means he's going to be given every chance to start. I wouldn't hate an experienced vet to keep him looking over his shoulder (hopefully not mid play this time). 

And while I'm here, why not look at late kickers. A bigger leg is a luxury need, but if you can accomplish a lot of the other things, spending a 6th or 7th or a kicker wouldn't be the worst idea. I expect a UDFA added though.

Spot on analysis, Raw. If Jeanty survives to 10, you take him. But, an OL will be a need with the next pick. I'd expect one of Thuney or Jones to be back next year, but probably not both. 

[gflore34]

8 minutes ago, BigbadB said:

Spot on analysis, Raw. If Jeanty survives to 10, you take him. But, an OL will be a need with the next pick. I'd expect one of Thuney or Jones to be back next year, but probably not both. 

I agree, if Jeanty there at 10 the Bears are going to take him otherwise,OL - Campbell, Banks Jr. or Membou.  Also, if Jeanty' not there at 10 a trade down, with Omarion Hampton being the first rounder is a possibility.

[CubinNY]

would anyone trade up to get Jeanty? 

[jersey cubs fan]

2 minutes ago, CubinNY said:

would anyone trade up to get Jeanty? 

I absolutely would not 

[gflore34]

4 minutes ago, jersey cubs fan said:

I absolutely would not 

Read something about Dallas being a possible trade up candidate, I would not.

[BigbadB]

2 minutes ago, gflore34 said:

Read something about Dallas being a possible trade up candidate, I would not.

It seems like the perfect draft to trade back. Just not sure how many teams see value in trading up.

[raw]

Love Jeanty, but trading up for a RB would be gross.

[gflore34]

1 minute ago, raw said:

Love Jeanty, but trading up for a RB would be gross.

If anything I believe Poles will trade down, given what he has said regarding the draft he's aware it's top heavy.  Being so, there isn't much difference between picks 10 - 50 offering a good case for moving down and acquiring more picks.

[NorthsideAvenger]

Case Keenum (did not know he was still in the league) as QB3, apparently. 

[jersey cubs fan]

3 hours ago, NorthsideAvenger said:

Case Keenum (did not know he was still in the league) as QB3, apparently. 

I think the veteran backup is a grossly overrated concept but hopefully this means Bagent has a little pressure to not just be the guaranteed lady in waiting. One of those two should at least be at risk of getting cut in August 

[raw]

9 hours ago, jersey cubs fan said:

I think the veteran backup is a grossly overrated concept but hopefully this means Bagent has a little pressure to not just be the guaranteed lady in waiting. One of those two should at least be at risk of getting cut in August 

Ryan Poles' comments made it sound like the vet backup would be the QB3. I agree, they shouldn't carry 3 QBs on the 53 man, but Bagent should be at 0 risk. He at least has a shot to get you a draft pick in an offseason trade (if re-signed as a RFA) if he is forced on the field and plays similar to how he played when Fields went down. Maybe he shines in preseason and someone gets desperate for a young backup and they trade him then. 

That being said, they'll probably keep all 3 on the roster.

[jersey cubs fan]

Yeah. It sounds really clear that they’ll keep 3, even if it is a wasted space. 

[bddavidson]

It would seem to me that this is a year late in essence.  Not Keenum, per se, but someone who has been in the league and can actually show Caleb how to be a pro/be a sounding board.  I think it was pretty obvious that was missing last year and management may have even admitted to it at some point. 

Bageant obviously doesn't count as that person