Bears miss out on DE Maxx Crosby, NFL free agency frenzy | Chicago Sports Tonight
Bears miss out on DE Maxx Crosby, NFL free agency frenzy | Chicago Sports Tonight
On this edition of Chicago Sports Tonight on Sunday, FOX Chicago Sport Anchor Tina Nguyen is joined by The Score’s Laurence Holmes and Mark Grote as they discuss who the Bears should pivot to after missing out on Maxx Crosby, DJ Moore being traded to the Bills, center Drew Dalman’s sudden retirement, DePaul hoops earning the No 6 seed in the Big East Tournament, World Baseball Classic, and White Sox Shane Smith named Opening Day starter.
NFL free agency is here.
The Chicago Bears, one play or two away from an appearance in the NFC Championship game, are looking to take the next step. That starts Monday, as a key signing today could pay off down the line.
Follow along with us here as we track all the Bears' rumors and moves as NFL free agency begins with the legal tampering period.
NFL Free Agency Live Tracker
10 AM: Bears lock down D'Marco Jackson
The Bears created a need at linebacker by releasing Tremaine Edmunds, but they'll lock down a key contributor before the frenzy begins.
According to NFL Network, D'Marco Jackson is returning to the Bears on a two-year, $7.5 million deal that could be worth up to 10.5 million with incentives.
Chicago Bears biggest needs
The Bears enter the 2026 season with a critical list of needs. Here are the biggest needs we know the Bears have as free agency begins:
Left Tackle: With Ozzy Trapilo's knee injury, the Bears need a veteran left tackle that could lock down Caleb Williams' blind side for the 2026 season and maybe beyond that. PRIORITY LEVEL: HIGH
Safety: As Ryan Poles noted in his end-of-season press conference, all four of the Bears safeties that were on the roster in 2025 will be free agents. The Bears need to lock that position down with an open competitive window. PRIORITY LEVEL: HIGH
Pass Rusher: Montez Sweat can't do it all alone, and the Bears have a handful of rotational pass rushers hitting free agency. There's no telling how Dayo Odeyingbo's recovery from Achilles surgery could affect his 2026 season. The Bears could address this position now or in the draft. PRIORITY LEVEL: HIGH
Defensive Tackle: The Bears' defensive line could be extremely thin if Andrew Billings doesn't return. This is a position that could be addressed in the NFL Draft. PRIORITY LEVEL: MEDIUM
Linebacker: Getting Jackson back into the fold is a good move, but the Bears still need to add depth after releasing Amen Ogbongbemiga and Tremaine Edmunds. PRIORITY LEVEL: MEDIUM
Chicago Bears free agents
Unrestricted Free Agents
Kevin Byard, safety – 32 years old
Joe Tryon-Shoykina, defensive end – 26 years old
Ryan Bates, center – 28 years old
Andrew Billings, defensive tackle – 30 years old
Chris Williams, defensive line – 27 years old
Durham Smythe, tight end – 30 years old
Jonathan Owens, safety – 30 years old
Case Keenum, quarterback – 37 years old
Jaquan Brisker, safety – 26 years old
Travis Homer, running back – 27
Olamide Zaccheaus, wide receiver – 28 years old
Nick McCloud, cornerback – 27 years old
Jaylon Jones, safety – 28 years old
Scott Daly, long snapper – 31 years old
Devin Duvernay, wide receiver/return man – 28 years old
Nahshon Wright, cornerback – 27 years old
D'Marco Jackson, linebacker – 27 years old (UPDATE: The Bears reportedly signed Jackson to a two-year, $10 million deal)
Braxton Jones, offensive tackle – 26 years old
Dominique Robinson, defensive end – 27 years old
Elijah Hicks, defensive back – 26 years old
Exclusive Rights Free Agents
Jordan McFadden, offensive guard – 26 years old
Theo Benedet, offensive tackle – 24 years old (signed a one-year, $1 million contract)
Restricted free agents
Noah Sewell, linebacker – 23 years old
Daniel Hardy, defensive end/linebacker – 27 years old (UPDATE: The Bears reportedly signed Hardy to a two-year, $6 million deal)
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