The Chicago Bears had a very disappointing 2024 campaign. Fans, players, and the front office all expected the team to contend for the playoffs and to play some meaningful football at the end of the season. Turns out, the exact opposite happened.
Instead of contending for the playoffs, the Bears regressed from 2023 when they went 7-10 and ended with a 5-12 record. This led to the dismissals of both Matt Eberflus and Shane Waldron during the middle of the season.
The Bears began the offseason by hiring former Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson to become their new head coach. It’s now time for the Bears to focus on improving their roster.
The Bears roster does have a lot of talent on both sides of the ball. However, there are still some major holes that need to be filled. In order to get this team back to winning, these three positions must be addressed and fixed during this off-season.
The Chicago Bears need to upgrade at guard
The offensive line struggled badly during the 2024 season. Caleb Williams was sacked for a franchise record 68 times during his rookie season. In particular, the interior of the offensive line must be upgraded this off-season.
Teven Jenkins’ contract expires this year and is expected to not return due to him getting constantly injured, Nate Davis was released during the middle of the season after a horrible tenure. Davis’ replacement, Ryan Bates, struggled with injuries, and the rest of the backups who played guard during the season did not do well enough to protect Caleb Williams. The interior offensive line also struggled with run blocking as well, which could be a factor as to why running back D’Andre Swift had a down year.
There are plenty of options the Bears can do to upgrade this part of the offensive line. They could potentially sign upcoming free agent pro bowler Trey Smith to a huge deal, Lions guard Kevin Zeitler will be available in free agency, and there is a chance that Will Campbell could fall to their spot in the draft.
There is a good chance the Bears will have new starting left and right guards in 2025.
The center position needs to be addressed in Chicago
Another major position that needs to be addressed is the starting center position. Coleman Shelton was signed to a 1 year deal in 2024 and he struggled badly throughout the 2024 season.
Shelton got bulldozed many times while on the run block and did have some struggles snapping the football. While he did improve near the end of the season, he’s likely going to leave the Bears due to his contract expiring.
A name to watch for the Bears to sign is Falcons center Drew Dalman. Dalman is one of the better pass-blocking centers in the NFL and would be a massive improvement. Ryan Poles and the Bears do have plenty of cap space to sign him to a lengthy deal, and it has been reported that the Bears have interest in signing Dalman.
Pro Football Focus also has stated that the Bears are the best landing spot for Dalman.
The defensive line needs an addition at edge rusher
The biggest concern on the defensive side of the ball has been the pass rush for the past two seasons. The Bears do have Montez Sweat but he had a down year in 2024 due to being double-teamed constantly.
The rest of the defensive line struggled with getting to the quarterback. New Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen talked about how they are going to need to improve on attacking the quarterback in 2025.
Many great pass rushers are available via free agency including Khalil Mack, Hassan Reddick, Chase Young, and Marcus Davenport. The Bears could also attack this position in the draft. They could potentially get a solid edge rusher in the second or third round especially.
Having an edge rusher on the opposite side of Sweat will open up more opportunities for Sweat to get to the quarterback as well. Adding an additional piece on the defensive line can get the Chicago Bears’ defense back on track for 2025.
In order for the Bears to improve in all phases of the game, these positions must be addressed in either free agency or the draft.
Chicago Bears could be a fit for 2023 Defensive Player of the Year
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