(Photo: Kamil Krzaczynski , USA TODAY Sports)
Key Additions: LG Joe Thuney, C Drew Dalman, DE Dayo Odeyingbo, DT Grady Jarrett, and TE Colston Loveland (1st Round)
Key Departures: LG Teven Jenkins, C Coleman Shelton, WR Keenan Allen, DE Darrell Taylor, and DE Demarcus Walker
Is it time to crown the Chicago Bears as the 2025 recipient of The 2025 NFL Offseason Champions yet? It would be quite an impressive feat to win this award three years in a row. In all seriousness, the team's best moves might be ones that aren't listed above. Hiring Johnson, all things considered, felt like a home run. His ability to build such a strong coaching staff as a first-time head coach is awfully impressive. With a new coaching staff came a new roster-building philosophy, which is something all Bears fans can get behind.
Following a disappointing (5-12) season, Chicago needed all the help it could get when it came to closing the talent gap within the division. Not only did they sink seven high-value resources into the trenches, but they also gave quarterback Caleb Williams three more offensive weapons, including spending both of their top two picks on pass catchers. On paper, the pieces are in place to make a big jump, but as Bears fans are painfully aware of by now, it's time for them to prove it on the field, especially in a stacked division like the NFC North.
Reseason(s) For Optimism:
Bears fans are no strangers to disappointment coming off high expectations. Although 2024 was a disaster (all things considered), there's plenty of reason for optimism heading into the season. They landed arguably the best head coaching candidate, rebuilt their offensive line, and have a supremely talented quarterback who could take a big step in Year 2. On paper, the Bears aren't the most talent-rich team in the division, but it does appear they've closed the gap considerably. As long as they can stay healthy, and the offense takes a big step under Johnson, there's no reason to believe that Chicago couldn't at least contend for a Wild Card spot in 2025.
Reason(s) For Concern:
If you've followed the Bears over the last three decades, you'll understand that there are always reasons for concern. Delivering on high expectations is something they've struggled to do. Although Williams was put in a bad situation in Year 1, there were still some concerning aspects to his game. Due to general manager Ryan Poles' aggressive approach this offseason, their cap flexibility in 2026 has shrunk considerably. With no clear long-term solution at left tackle or an elite edge rusher, this regime has put all of its eggs into the same basket with this core. If it doesn't work out, it's going to take years to dig themselves out of this hole. Optimism is warranted, but most Bears fans will tell you that they are in "see it to believe it" mode after years of failing to meet expectations.