2026 Chicago Bears Offseason Thread

[Tryptamine]

Just now, Bobson Dugnutt said:

Mostly agree, but it’s frustrating that we’re heading into year 4 of Poles and every FA period and draft that passes without improvement on the DLine end every time it’s just “welp whaddya gonna do? FAs are expensive. The draft board didn’t fall our way.” At a certain point you gotta just find a way to fix it.

That Poles hasn't put any real effort into addressing EDGE these last two seasons is unacceptable, if he does the same this offseason it should be a fireable offense. 

[The_Achiever]

Edge should be one of the top two picks.  I really like Booker so lets get a third and horsefeathers go.  

Lets go Bears.

 

 

[minnesotacubsfan]

5 minutes ago, The_Achiever said:

Edge should be one of the top two picks.  I really like Booker so lets get a third and horsefeathers go.  

Lets go Bears.

 

 

Booker has been more impressive than Sweat, honestly

[NorthsideAvenger]

1 hour ago, Bobson Dugnutt said:

Why?

Simply put there are a lot of players in the 25-60 range I really like. If the Bears can fill more holes on their roster by trading down and acquiring another pick(s), then do it. 

[jersey cubs fan]

30 minutes ago, minnesotacubsfan said:

Booker has been more impressive than Sweat, honestly

Yeah that’s not that much of an accomplishment.

[We Got The Whole 9]

I still say if you get a demolition man at DT the edge sacks will go way up. I think thats hit vision at 25. I will not be surprised if he doesn't draft an edge there. I can also see him holding some ammo for camp cuts. 

[gflore34]

1 hour ago, We Got The Whole 9 said:

I still say if you get a demolition man at DT the edge sacks will go way up. I think thats hit vision at 25. I will not be surprised if he doesn't draft an edge there. I can also see him holding some ammo for camp cuts. 

You mean someone who's a run-stuffer?  If so, I agree, the biggest problem for the Bears defense last season was their inability to stop teams from running the ball. They couldn't get off the field, had to commit more bodies to stopping the rush and everything went downhill.  You keep teams from running the ball, make them one dimensional, you'll get to the QB.  Booker, Sweat, Dexter Jr. will all be able to get home.  This is why I really like McDonald at 25 for the Bears, he'll occupy space and is the best run defender in the draft.

Edited March 10 by gflore34

[bjam12]

Will Doubs be expensive? 

[PackLandVA]

1 hour ago, bjam12 said:

Will Doubs be expensive? 

Spotrac says market value is about $12 million.

[Geographyhater8888]

WR3 is still a need. You can’t roll with Walker and pencil him as WR3 with such a limited sample size. 

Edited March 10 by Geographyhater8888

[Geographyhater8888]

14 hours ago, Bobson Dugnutt said:

Mostly agree, but it’s frustrating that we’re heading into year 4 of Poles and every FA period and draft that passes without improvement on the DLine end every time it’s just “welp whaddya gonna do? FAs are expensive. The draft board didn’t fall our way.” At a certain point you gotta just find a way to fix it.

He burnt picks 32, a 3 and a 4 on receivers who were all cut after 2 seasons. If either of them had developed into a capable WR2/WR3 maybe they draft Edge/LT at pick 9 instead of Odunze. 
 

If Zack Pickens is a capable rotational DT then maybe Poles wouldn’t have signed Jarrett/Dayo to $32 million AAV out of desperation. 

The butterfly effect of his horrific mid drafting particularly in rounds 3 and 4 has put the entire roster in a hole by restricting resources to sign premium talent and positional flexibility in the draft to varying degrees.
 

Right now our hope is having a coaching staff with excellent talent evaluation. 

Edited March 10 by Geographyhater8888

[Geographyhater8888]

9 hours ago, minnesotacubsfan said:

Booker has been more impressive than Sweat, honestly

Sweat finished the season top 10 in defensive EPA. He’s an elite complimentary edge and paid accordingly. The issue is trading pick 41 and possibly higher with a 2-7 in 2023. It would’ve been easier to swallow if they kept pick 32 that Poles pissed away on Claypool. Poles half assed the rebuild by trying to open a bolt locked championship window. 
 

Two less top 40 picks on rookie deals that forced them to use more cap on mid level veterans on positions of need that would’ve been filled with those 2 picks.

Edited March 10 by Geographyhater8888

[We Got The Whole 9]

6 hours ago, Geographyhater8888 said:

WR3 is still a need. You can’t roll with Walker and pencil him as WR3 with such a limited sample size. 

It wouldnt surprise me to not address this until before camp starts with a veteran bounceback-candidate type. 

[We Got The Whole 9]

11 hours ago, gflore34 said:

You mean someone who's a run-stuffer?  If so, I agree, the biggest problem for the Bears defense last season was their inability to stop teams from running the ball. They couldn't get off the field, had to commit more bodies to stopping the rush and everything went downhill.  You keep teams from running the ball, make them one dimensional, you'll get to the QB.  Booker, Sweat, Dexter Jr. will all be able to get home.  This is why I really like McDonald at 25 for the Bears, he'll occupy space and is the best run defender in the draft.

I mean a menace in the middle like Tommie. Thats what im hoping for.

[gflore34]

53 minutes ago, We Got The Whole 9 said:

I mean a menace in the middle like Tommie. Thats what im hoping for.

I get it, think McDonald is the closet to Tommie for this draft.

[Rex Buckingham]

Ryan Poles picks in rounds 2-4

2022 - Gordon, Brisker, Velus Jones  - 2/3 good players, when healthy... 1 absolute bust

2023- Dexter (fine rotational DT), Tyrique, Pickens (bust), Roschon Johnson (basically a non-factor) and Tyler Scott (no value provided)

2024- Kiran Amegadjie (bust) and Tory Taylor (an average punter)

2025 - Luther and Ozzy (nailed it), Shemar Turner (injured), Hyppolite (non-factor)

So in 4 drafts out of 13 picks he has made (not even considering the picks traded away), only 4 would I consider good picks, then Dexter being fine and Tyrique still having some potential but looking more like a bust and the jury completely out on Turner. Not even getting contributors in those spots has hurt this roster. 

[MidoreX]

1 hour ago, We Got The Whole 9 said:

It wouldnt surprise me to not address this until before camp starts with a veteran bounceback-candidate type. 

 

7 hours ago, Geographyhater8888 said:

WR3 is still a need. You can’t roll with Walker and pencil him as WR3 with such a limited sample size. 

Ben still needs a burner/gadget to round out his play calling options. Are there any poor man's Jameson Williams out there?

[The_Achiever]

I want WR Hank Beatty from Illinois as a late round pick.  Guy can throw it too, so a good fit for Benjo's offense.  

[gflore34]

3 minutes ago, The_Achiever said:

I want WR Hank Beatty from Illinois as a late round pick.  Guy can throw it too, so a good fit for Benjo's offense.  

Duke WR Cooper Barkate is a similar type, was hoping the Bears could look at him in the later rounds.  However, I think he's staying in school.  There's also that dude from Illinois St., name escapes me, would like the Bears to look at him as a UDFA.

[jb10194]

6 minutes ago, MidoreX said:

 

Ben still needs a burner/gadget to round out his play calling options. Are there any poor man's Jameson Williams out there?

It's not the most inspiring name, but I wonder if they'd look at Kalif Raymond for a WR4/5 spot. He's had some success with Ben before, but he is past 30.

[MidoreX]

41 minutes ago, jb10194 said:

It's not the most inspiring name, but I wonder if they'd look at Kalif Raymond for a WR4/5 spot. He's had some success with Ben before, but he is past 30.

Good timing!

[WrigleyField 22]

1 year 5.1M

He's probably WR 3, but Walker and anyone else they grab will probably get looks too.  Good Duvernay upgrade. 

[Geographyhater8888]

1 hour ago, Rex Buckingham said:

Ryan Poles picks in rounds 2-4

2022 - Gordon, Brisker, Velus Jones  - 2/3 good players, when healthy... 1 absolute bust

2023- Dexter (fine rotational DT), Tyrique, Pickens (bust), Roschon Johnson (basically a non-factor) and Tyler Scott (no value provided)

2024- Kiran Amegadjie (bust) and Tory Taylor (an average punter)

2025 - Luther and Ozzy (nailed it), Shemar Turner (injured), Hyppolite (non-factor)

So in 4 drafts out of 13 picks he has made (not even considering the picks traded away), only 4 would I consider good picks, then Dexter being fine and Tyrique still having some potential but looking more like a bust and the jury completely out on Turner. Not even getting contributors in those spots has hurt this roster. 

Tyrique and Dexter won’t receive a contract extension without a major leap in 2026. Not looking good for Brisker. 3 players cut before the regular season of their third year and Kiran might join that list. Traded pick 32 for Claypool as well. Brutal. 

[17 Seconds]

13 hours ago, PackLandVA said:

Spotrac says market value is about $12 million.

Pats gave him 20 

[We Got The Whole 9]

I think they might be done. Wright will probably get an extension. I think theres a chance Nahshon comes back. He obviously has a cold market and will probably want to prove himself more. Im sure he would love to just keep doing that with a team that was a play away from the NFCCG.

Edited March 10 by We Got The Whole 9