Bears free agency wishlist: 5 players to watch
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.

DJ Moore catches the game-winning touchdown pass against the Green Bay Packers last year in overtime at Soldier Field. Photo: Michael Reaves/Getty Images
The Chicago Bears will look different this year as the team makes tough roster moves in the hopes of improving.
Why it matters: Last year's playoff team brought new energy and excitement to a fan base clamoring for a winner, but now expectations are higher.
The big picture: It's not Super Bowl or bust, but fans won't accept a step back.
- Teams can begin signing new players on March 11.
The latest: The Bears have started the painful process of freeing salary cap space by trading star WR DJ Moore and releasing defensive captain Tremaine Edmunds.
- They also lost 27-year-old Pro-Bowl center Drew Dalman, who retired unexpectedly.
State of play: The moves give the Bears nearly $40 million to spend in free agency to upgrade the roster and re-sign key players.
Here's who the Bears could land in free agency:
Trey Hendrickson (Defensive End)

Now that big names like Maxx Crosby and Khalil Mack are off the table, the Bears have to move quickly on securing a top free-agent edge rusher.
Zoom in: The position opposite Montez Sweat on the Bears' defensive line has been the team's Achilles heel for the past few years.
- The front office has avoided paying top dollar for the position, instead signing journeymen later in the offseason. It hasn't worked under general manager Ryan Poles, so will the Bears try a different approach this offseason?
Two big names still available are Trey Hendrickson and Jaelen Phillips. Hendrickson has been linked to the Bears, but he is looking for a payday of over $35 million a season.
Best bet: General Manager Ryan Poles loves a bargain, so look for aging veterans like Joey Bosa, Leonard Floyd and Bradley Chubb to be in the mix.
Taylor Decker (Left Tackle)

The team's unexpected loss of Pro Bowl center Dalman forced it to trade for a starting center. The Bears picked up Garrett Bradbury from the Patriots for a 2027 fifth-round draft pick.
Reality check: The team still needs to secure a left tackle, as last year's rookie Ozzie Trapilo will be sidelined for most of next season while recovering from knee surgery.
- The Bears could move quickly to sign aging veteran Taylor Decker to protect Caleb Williams' blindside. Decker was a salary-cap casualty in Detroit, and Bears coach Ben Johnson is familiar with the stout lineman.
- The 32-year-old may be cheaper than other star linemen on the free-agent market.
Who they might get instead: Veterans Jermaine Eluemunor or Cam Robinson will be available, as will star center Tyler Linderbaum.
- However, Linderbaum may be too expensive, and the Bears just signed Bradbury.
Bobby Okereke (Linebacker)

The former New York Giants defensive captain was released and is looking to find a new home. He registered 143 tackles in the 2025 season.
- Edmunds was getting $15 million a year, so the Bears could sign Okereke for much less, closer to $9 million and not see much of a dropoff with play on the field.
Yes, but: Okereke isn't familiar with defensive coordinator Dennis Allen.
Who they may get instead: Saints linebacker Demario Davis. He turns 37 this season, but knows Allen's defense well. He'd also be much cheaper.
Kyle Dugger (Safety)

Both of the Bears' safeties are free agents, which means they may not be able to sign both Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker.
- If they want to prioritize spending elsewhere, it could be that the Bears find a cheaper replacement like Kyle Dugger. He just had a great season with the Patriots and the Steelers and would cost much less than Byard or Brisker.
Who they may get instead: Re-sign Jaquan Brisker.
Darnell Mooney (Wide Receiver)

Remember Darnell Mooney? The Bears drafted Mooney and let him sign elsewhere during the team's lengthy rebuild.
- Now that the Bears are a playoff team, Mooney is back on the market after a lackluster run with the Falcons, where he failed to reach 1,000 yards once in his three seasons in Atlanta. He will command much less than the $18 million he was going to make in 2026.
- He'd be a nice veteran wide receiver for Williams.
Who they may get instead: A rookie in the draft. Coach Ben Johnson may want to hand-pick a successor for DJ Moore with one of his top draft picks.
Editor's note: This is a developing story. Check for updates.
