There are candidates available in free agency to fill out a few of the minor roster holes the Bears have.
GM Ryan Poles would be better off waiting to address those until after the draft in order to maintain his strategic advantage. He can fill all of those with draft picks, anyway.
There is a near-perfect balance to where the Bears sit approaching the draft after free agency, and the only way they'd be in a better spot would be to have the fourth pick overall.
With the signings Poles has made, he has positioned himself in a strategically strong place for the first round of the draft, and the fact he has two early second-round picks only reinforces this solid situation.
Bears had the lead when the clock hit 0:00 on the road vs the NFC runner up. Bears have made massive coaching and trenches upgrades. Bears will be legit next season.
— Let Ryan Poles Eat (@POLE2PLSEAT) March 16, 2025
The real needs they have are another tight end, a running back, a swing tackle and another edge rusher, none in starting position except possibly the back.
Finding another guard in case they lose Joe Thuney in 2026 free agency is more of a possibility for later in the draft. The tackle situation is similar. The needs for this season take priority, although you can never discount a lineman in Round 1 if they see a truly special player available to them.
.@ColinCowherd reveals his NFC Playoff predictions pic.twitter.com/bT9zt3xAWO
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) March 13, 2025
It doesn't look like this is the case. There is good talent everywhere, just not the Penei Sewell type.
They could opt to go for a running back but there are plenty of good running backs in this draft. There appears to be a special tight end but special at this position might not be the need as much as a specific skill set.
The position is a strong one from which to trade.
Ryan Poles has been praised before for his offseasons.
And yet, this one feels different.
It's okay to praise the Bears GM, writes @adamjahns. He's earned it.https://t.co/oJUdzkliIY pic.twitter.com/4ioRSjVehr
— The Athletic NFL (@TheAthleticNFL) March 12, 2025
Go out and sign another tight end and there really is virtually no need to draft tight end Tyler Warren. Sign another running back from a large crop of free agents available and they'll make it apparent they're satisfied with the backs they have.
The same is true about the swing tackle situation. They're saying positive things about Braxton Jones. Signing another tackle removes the urgency to find a tackle of the future so early.
Best offseason winners not in order
Bears
Broncos
Patriots
Commanders
— Cobra Kai Zone (@theCobraKaiZone) March 11, 2025
They have their top two edge players and a few backups already. The next edge would supplement the rush and not key it.
Where the Bears came away after the free agent signings really did make Poles' quote after introducing his new players seem all the more ambiguous.
Bears offseason so far:
- Hired the most sought-after HC in the last 5-10 years.
- Traded for an All-Pro LG (4th rounder)
- They added a versatile OL who can start at guard or center. (6th)
- Signed the top center available in free agency
- Can draft BPA at No. 10
— Dave (@dave_bfr) March 10, 2025
"This really opens the whole board for us," he said. "We're going to be able to sit back and look and say what's the best thing to do for the Chicago Bears? Who's the best player that can impact?
"We got some tough decisions and a lot of film to watch between now and the draft."
Exciting time to be a Bears fan. While we are always “offseason winners,” it would be great to see this team win 10 or more games.
If this team manages to fail I’ll be heartbroken.
— Cole (@RollaCole) March 11, 2025
Some of those decisions might not be to take a player at all but to trade back or trade ahead.
Never in recent years have they found themselves so completely covered at each position heading into the draft, whether it's all Poles' doing or the tag-team effort of himself and coach Ben Johnson.
They're positioned at a spot with the roster and in the draft to find players at any need position in Round 1 and later. They really could do anything and that's how Poles needs it to be.
.@ChrisCanty99's top five NFL offseason winners ⬇️
1. Jets
2. Bears
3. Russell Wilson
4. Derek Carr
5. Frank Reich pic.twitter.com/YdX6Dslb2N
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) March 27, 2023
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