2026 Chicago Bears Offseason Thread

[Geographyhater8888]

On 4/29/2026 at 9:09 AM, gflore34 said:

I attribute some of this to Booker being on the field and ,the health, or, at least, the return of Gordon and Johnson.  My point is, Dayo' motivation notwithstanding, with health (Booker, Gordon, Johnson), we'll probably see this version of Montez.  If we do, it'll go a long way towards making the Bears defense average-above average which is all that'll be necessary.

 

*My favorite - https://www.reddit.com/r/nfl/comments/1psirhh/highlight_montez_sweat_ran_over_the_tackle_for/

The defense was by no means a good unit but the first half of the season they were down to their 4th and 5th string cornerbacks and linebackers. Thanks to injuries McCarthy had the 4th quarter of life, Jeanty had his best game as a pro, they couldn’t stop Tyler Huntley and were gashed by a mediocre giants offense.

The team we watched from week 10-18 that was 7th in DVOA is a more accurate representation of what this team as close to perfect health. Also thanks to familiarity in the offense and Loveland and Burden taking more snaps. 

Edited Sunday at 12:30 PM by Geographyhater8888

[BigbadB]

On 5/1/2026 at 2:24 PM, The_Achiever said:

How likely do we think it is that they sign one of the FA DE I've seen bandied about (Bosa, Cam Jordan, etc.)?  Do they even have the money to do that?

Sweat and Booker is a decent start but I'm not counting on Motivated Dayo and Shemar for too much as they're both coming off big injuries.  Would love to add one more established guy.  

I'd be surprised if they didn't bring someone in. June 1 is the next wave of roster cuts. Should learn something soon after that.

[Geographyhater8888]

The run defense between the numbers is my biggest worry. I think they brought in enough speed with better man coverage to to execute some of those exotic blitzes against better offenses, which will help with the pass rush. 
 

None of this is ideal but if the offense does their part hopefully mediocre is sufficient. 

Edited Sunday at 12:41 PM by Geographyhater8888

[BigSlick]

I worry that Poles in general is a bit too complacent about the defensive line. This idea that "hey, we have such a good secondary that we can afford to give QBs more time back there" is... it feels completely disconnected from how modern football works. This isn't 1995. The rules have changed, DBs are far more limited in what they can do, and passing offenses and QBs are far more precise and well-oiled. You give any half-decent QB any time and they will find a guy. That's just how it is. There's no lockdown coverage, it's not allowed in the rules and passing offenses can get around it. The math isn't there, you can't do it. 

The only thing you can do to stop good QBs is to get pressure on them. It's a philosophical problem for how they've built this defense. 

[jersey cubs fan]

4 hours ago, BigSlick said:

I worry that Poles in general is a bit too complacent about the defensive line. This idea that "hey, we have such a good secondary that we can afford to give QBs more time back there" is... it feels completely disconnected from how modern football works. This isn't 1995. The rules have changed, DBs are far more limited in what they can do, and passing offenses and QBs are far more precise and well-oiled. You give any half-decent QB any time and they will find a guy. That's just how it is. There's no lockdown coverage, it's not allowed in the rules and passing offenses can get around it. The math isn't there, you can't do it. 

The only thing you can do to stop good QBs is to get pressure on them. It's a philosophical problem for how they've built this defense. 

we have to hope he’s got some sort of moneyball level awareness of how rushing the passer is an overrated ability.
 

I wonder if his obsession with freak athletes hurts his ability to scout young pass rushers 

some of those guys have the measurables but plenty are just good football players 

 

 

[The_Achiever]

5 hours ago, BigSlick said:

I worry that Poles in general is a bit too complacent about the defensive line. This idea that "hey, we have such a good secondary that we can afford to give QBs more time back there" is... it feels completely disconnected from how modern football works. This isn't 1995. The rules have changed, DBs are far more limited in what they can do, and passing offenses and QBs are far more precise and well-oiled. You give any half-decent QB any time and they will find a guy. That's just how it is. There's no lockdown coverage, it's not allowed in the rules and passing offenses can get around it. The math isn't there, you can't do it. 

The only thing you can do to stop good QBs is to get pressure on them. It's a philosophical problem for how they've built this defense. 

Hopefully our best pass rusher, Kyler Gordon, is healthy next season.  

It is important to have good ends of course, but the Bears D seemed like it was performing best last year when Allen was bringing blitzes from unusual locations.  

[Banedon]

Obviously we don't know the order but...

 

Not that anyone knows a damn thing about who will be good next year.  But still...interesting to look at.

[BigbadB]

Sounds like the Bears are about to sign veteran free agent EDGE Hassan Reddick. 

[We Got The Whole 9]

Hahahhahahhahhaha

[NorthsideAvenger]

47 minutes ago, BigbadB said:

Sounds like the Bears are about to sign veteran free agent EDGE Hassan Reddick. 

Reddick was either injury prone the last two years or he is cooked as a player. If this happens, I hope Austin Booker can beat him out.

[jersey cubs fan]

All I see is garbage ai generated conflicting stories from days ago

[BigbadB]

7 hours ago, jersey cubs fan said:

All I see is garbage ai generated conflicting stories from days ago

That may be true. But I did see it from a page that had Schefter's name attached to it. Sorry I didn't link it. Wasn't really posting to "be first". Especially since this isn't a move that moves any needles in any dramatic directions. Apologies if it turns out to be bogus.

[bjam12]

Isn't there a benefit to signing players after June 1st at this point? Not sure how the cap and all that works, but I know it's an important date. 

[Tryptamine]

Just grab one of Clowney/Jordan/Miller, don't over think this. 

[Tryptamine]

Not so hot take, but if Poles does not add a good EDGE and the dline falls on its face again this year he should be fired. I don't care if they make the NFC Championship game. 3 years he has had to address it and in 3 years he has not improved it at all either through complete neglect like 2026 or through a drastic overpay like Grady Jarrett and Dayo Odeyingbo.

[Soul]

1 hour ago, Tryptamine said:

Not so hot take, but if Poles does not add a good EDGE and the dline falls on its face again this year he should be fired. I don't care if they make the NFC Championship game. 3 years he has had to address it and in 3 years he has not improved it at all either through complete neglect like 2026 or through a drastic overpay like Grady Jarrett and Dayo Odeyingbo.

It drives me insane having a DLine that crumbles but the GM lives and dies based on the record of the team.

[WrigleyField 22]

4 hours ago, bjam12 said:

Isn't there a benefit to signing players after June 1st at this point? Not sure how the cap and all that works, but I know it's an important date. 

No difference in terms of the signing benefit. But teams could be waiting to make cuts. Although I don't really know of any team that is so cap strapped that they are waiting for a June 1 cut. 

 

Monday after draft was cutoff to  be a CFA, and thus FAs no longer count against comp pick formula. So that threshold is passed, but I don't think that was relevant for Bears at this stage. 

Edited 11 hours ago by WrigleyField 22

[Old Style]

No general NFL offseason thread so I’ll just leave this here. 

[NorthsideAvenger]

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Edited 1 hour ago by NorthsideAvenger