The Chicago Bears have made a few interesting offseason additions so far in free agency. They've brought back Braxton Jones for their left tackle spot and added Devin White and Coby Bryant to the defense.
But, after those offseason additions, Ryan Poles still needs to make a few additions. Specifically, there are two spots he needs to address.
Dan Wiederer of The Athletic identified those two positions, which, after the first wave of free agency, couldn't be any clearer. Chicago needs to add help along the offensive and defensive lines. Trench help is a must for the Bears this offseason.
Bears' top needs after first wave of FA are OL and DL
"But a quick scan of the depth chart reveals an obvious need for greater talent and depth in the trenches," Wiederer writes, "with no obvious long-term answers at either left tackle or center and more needed on defense, particularly on the interior, to energize the pass rush."
There are a few needs for the Bears to address on both offensive and defensive lines, but the specifics of those needs are worth diving into.
After Drew Dalman's retirement, the Bears traded for Garrett Bradbury from the New England Patriots. He's not terrible, but the team desperately needs a better long-term solution.
Left tackle, with Ozzy Trapilo likely out for most, if not all of 2026, and Jones being a lackluster starter option alongside possible starter Theo Benedet, the Bears desperately need a long-term answer for Caleb Williams' blindside.
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On the defensive line, while Grady Jarrett and Gervon Dexter Sr. aren't terrible interior linemen, and Kentavius Street and Neville Gallimore were added, they still need a better presence in the interior of the defensive line that can generate pass rush upside.
That's not all, however, as they need edge help as well. Montez Sweat is a good starter, but Dayo Odeyingbo is a major question mark coming off injury, and with only Austin Booker and Daniel Hardy behind them, another outside pass rusher is a must.
The Bears have the potential to be a Super Bowl contender in 2026, but they need more help along both trenches if they want to have a serious chance in 2026.
This need is incredibly clear for the Bears, and a lot more should be invested this offseason into bolstering both the offensive and defensive lines.
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