Bears NFL Combine
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - SEPTEMBER 08: General Manager Ryan Poles of the Chicago Bears looks on prior to a game against the Tennessee Titans at Soldier Field on September 08, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
Unlike past seasons, the Chicago Bears will not be one of the headliners for the NFL Combine.
Last year, not only did Chicago have the 10th overall selection, but they also made two trades for guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson, sending a 2026 fourth-round pick for Thuney and a 2025 sixth-round pick for Jackson.
“I think the clearer the vision, the more aggressive you can be, and that’s important,” general manager Ryan Poles said regarding making those trades for Thuney and Jackson. “You want to be selective in free agency because, historically, if you look at it, it can tell you and you can learn from that. But if there are certain players that kind of hit all the checked boxes that you need, there’s really no reason to hold back. I feel like you can be aggressive in those situations.”
However, unlike last year, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune doesn’t believe the Bears have the same luck finding hidden gems at a cheap cost.
“I wouldn’t put anything past Poles, but it’s going to be difficult to find lightning in a bottle like that again this offseason…While chatting at the Senior Bowl with a GM for another team, I asked if Poles might be able to use a similar tactic to enhance the defensive line by flipping a mid- or late-round pick. That GM called it highly unlikely, noting teams generally place a higher premium on top-end defensive linemen than interior offensive linemen. Just know that Poles is open to all avenues for player procurement and has been an active wheeler and dealer.”
Biggs also noted that the Bears are slated to only make one major move, and it’s releasing a player, not adding one.
Bears Likely Moving On From Tremaine Edmunds During NFL Combine
Tremaine Edmunds
GettyTremaine Edmunds #49 of the Chicago Bears celebrates after defeating the Las Vegas Raiders 25-24.
With the Bears needing to find avenues to create cap flexibility, Biggs noted it’s highly likely the team moves on from linebacker Tremaine Edmunds during the NFL Combine.
“Other than linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, it seems unlikely there will be a major purge of players to clear space. Releasing Edmunds would create $15 million in space, and from where the Bears figure to restructure some contracts and maybe look for an extension or two to lower current cap hits.”
Edmunds, who joined the Bears during the 2023 offseason on a four-year, $72 million deal, is the odd man out in terms of looking at players who, if released, can give the Bears a huge chunk of cap space.
Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic also listed Edmunds as a cut candidate, writing, “For a team that is currently over the cap, no player has a cleaner ‘out’ in his contract than Edmunds, whose release would create $15 million of cap space while counting as only $2.4 million of dead money. That doesn’t mean it’s an easy decision. Edmunds had four interceptions and nine passes defended last season. He’s only 27. No one on the roster can seamlessly step into his role. The Bears do have some simple restructures they can do to create a bunch of cap space, but it might still be necessary.”
Chicago already released linebacker Amen Ogbongbemiga, which created $2.07 million in cap savings. However, that likely won’t be the only move the team makes, especially when Edmunds stands out in terms of potential cap savings.
Positions to Keep an Eye on During the NFL Combine
With the likely release of Edmunds, that will leave the Bears with a need at linebacker. The Bears likely won’t draft a linebacker in the earlier rounds, but other positions of need include defensive tackle, edge rusher, safety, and left tackle.
Sports Illustrated’s Justin Melo listed Penn State defensive tackle Zane Durant as one hidden gem Chicago should keep an eye on, writing, “The Chicago Bears must get tougher and more athletic at defensive tackle this offseason. Zane Durant could run a 40-yard dash time under 4.70 if he participates. Durant is super athletic, and he recorded a career-high four sacks this past campaign.”
Defensive tackle is the No. 1 priority for the Bears to address this offseason, and some of this year’s top DT prospects, according to multiple ESPN analysts, include the following:
Kayden McDonald, Ohio State
Peter Woods, Clemson
Caleb Banks, Florida
Lee Hunter, Texas Tech
Christen Miller, Georgia
Domonique Orange, Iowa State
One thing is certain: the Bears’ defense is going to look a whole lot different next season.