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LAKE FOREST, ILLINOIS - JULY 28: General manager Ryan Poles of the Chicago Bears looks on during Chicago Bears Training Camp at Halas Hall on July 28, 2025 in Lake Forest, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
The Chicago Bears are not expected to be major spenders when free agency opens, but that does not mean they can’t find impact talent.
With roughly $5 million in cap space to clear before making meaningful additions, general manager Ryan Poles may have to prioritize value over making a major splash.
That is where one intriguing name is beginning to surface.
NFL Media’s Kevin Patra recently highlighted Eagles linebacker Nakobe Dean as a potential bargain this offseason. He noted that injuries could keep his market in check despite high-end production.
For a Bears defense looking to add speed and playmaking ability at the second level, Dean could represent exactly the type of calculated swing Poles should consider.
Dean’s projected contract is expected to fall in the three to four year range with an average annual value between $7.9 million and north of $10 million. That would put the total value between $24 million and $41 million.
However, because of durability concerns, there is growing belief he could ultimately land on a shorter prove it deal.
For a team battling the salary cap like Chicago, that possibility makes him even more appealing.
Why Nakobe Dean Fits the Bears’ Defense Under Dennis Allen
Dean may not have the traditional size profile some teams prefer inside, but his athleticism pops on film.
Over the past two seasons, he has totaled 110 tackles, seven sacks and an interception while flashing the versatility to impact games in multiple ways.
Dennis Allen’s defense thrives on unpredictability and pressure from different angles.
Dean fits that mold perfectly.
From Weeks 10 through 16 last season, he generated nine quick pressures in under 2.5 seconds on just 21 pass rush attempts. That was the most among off-ball linebackers during that stretch.
That kind of burst and timing is exactly what fuels Allen’s aggressive pressure packages.
Dean also held up well in coverage.
Among linebackers targeted at least 15 times in 2025, he allowed just a 58.3 percent completion rate. That ranked the fifth lowest in the league.
Dean’s ability to stay on the field in passing situations would give Chicago flexibility and keep offenses guessing.
Why the Bears Could Embrace the Risk for High Upside
The only hesitation revolves around health.
Dean has missed 21 regular season games over the past three years, including time with a torn patellar tendon, a hamstring injury and a Lisfranc sprain that required surgery.
Teams are understandably cautious about committing long term money to players with that kind of injury history.
But the upside is difficult to ignore.
When healthy, Dean has shown he can be an athletic playmaker who impacts both the run and pass game.
If the medical evaluations check out, he could be one of the better value additions of the entire offseason.
For a Bears team seeking defensive juice without blowing up its cap structure, Dean represents a risk that could pay off in a big way.