Updated Mar 8, 2026 - Sports

Bears free agency wishlist: 5 players to watch

Justin Kaufmann

NFL player in a navy Bears jersey with orange gloves catching a football while a defender in a green and yellow Packers uniform tackles him from behind during a game. — 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)

Cincinnati Bengals player #91 in black and orange uniform on football field with ball on ground, opposing team in white and green in background, stadium crowd visible. — Trey Hendrickson stands during the game against the New York Jets in 2025. Photo: Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

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)

Bearded American football player in a blue jersey with number 68, black eye paint, and tattoos on arms, holding a helmet during a game with blurred players in the background. — Offensive tackle Taylor Decker during a game in 2025. Photo: Amy Lemus/NurPhoto via Getty Images

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)

Football player wearing blue jersey number 58 and silver helmet with red stripe, pointing with his left hand during a game, with blurred crowd in the background. — Bobby Okereke lines up before a play during a game in 2024. Photo: Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images

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)

Football player wearing black helmet and yellow pants with number 29 on white jersey running on grassy field with blurred crowd in the background. — Kyle Dugger defends in coverage during a game in 2025. Photo: Perry Knotts/Getty Images

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)

Two NFL players in action: one in white Atlanta Falcons uniform catching a football, and one in black New Orleans Saints uniform running behind him on a football field. — Darnell Mooney, No. 1, of the Atlanta Falcons, makes a catch during a game versus the Saints in 2025. Photo: Perry Knotts/Getty Images

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.

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