The Chicago Bears got an early start to their 2025 roster-building by making two trades in the trenches, and when free agency actually started, they dipped back in the trenches for three more players. In all, Chicago added about 1,500 pounds of linemen to their roster, and that alone is a welcome departure from how the Bears have done things the last few years.
General manager Ryan Poles and head coach Ben Johnson seem to be in lockstep on how they want to build this team.
After a quick recap on Chicago’s recent transactions, give us your letter grade for the moves.
Jonah Jackson, RG - This was a Ben Johnson move, as Jackson played his best football under Johnason’s leadership in Detroit. He made the Pro Bowl in 2021 for the Lions and signed a huge contract with the Los Angeles Rams following the 2024 season. The Rams moved their high-priced guard to center, and a fractured scapula kept him to just four games.
Joe Thuney, LG - If his three Pro Bowls (2022-2024) aren’t impressive enough, then what about his two Second Team All-Pro selections (2019 and 2022), his two First Team All-Pro nods (2023-2024), or his four Super Bowl rings?
Durham Smythe, TE - The Bears needed a backup Y, and while that’ll be his role, the Dolphins did move him around the offense quite a bit.
Drew Dalman, C—With a high football IQ, athleticism, and power, Dalman finally gives the Bears a professional center after years of stop-gapping the position.
“At that spot, that’s critical,” Johnson said about Dalman playing center via the team’s site. “He is going to be the quarterback of our offensive line. He’ll be setting the protections in the run game for us, something he has done in the past. And I think we can put even more on his plate than what he has been exposed to previously. I’m excited about that. He is still learning. He’s still growing as a player. He has not hit his ceiling either. He has already asked me several times, ‘What did you see on tape that I can get better at?’ That’s the type of person we’re getting.”
Dayo Odeyingbo, DE - The Bears believe Odeyingbo’s best football is in front of him and that they have the right coaches in place to get him there. While he’ll primarily play off the edge, he can line up anywhere.
Grady Jarrett, DT - Jarrett is legitimately one of the good guys in the NFL, and he’ll bring leadership and professionalism to Chicago’s locker room, but he’s also a highly productive player with plenty left in the tank.
Olamide Zaccheaus, WR - He’s not the receiver most thought they’d target, but Zaccheaus is coming off a career-best 45 receptions and 70.3 catch percentage.
Poll
What is your letter grade after the Chicago Bears' first week of free agency?
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