Bears updated roster following free agent additions, including the top positions of need leading up to the 2025 NFL Draft

Tight End (4):

• Cole Kmet
• Durham Smythe
• Stephen Carlson
• Joel Wilson

I for one am excited about Kmet bouncing back in 2025 in this new system. As for the depth behind him, Ben Johnson brought in one of his former players in Smythe to add a familiar blocking option at the position.

Wide Receiver (7):

• DJ Moore
• Rome Odunze
• Olamide Zaccheaus
• Tyler Scott
• Samori Toure
• John Jackson
• Maurice Alexander

Ben Johnson has big plans for Moore and Odunze running the aerial attack in this offense but still went out to find his ideal team-friendly WR3 in Zaccheaus on the open market. This room looks solid as is, but we'll see if Johnson is comfortable with Scott at WR4 or if another pass catcher is added soon.

Offensive Line (13):

• Braxton Jones
• Joe Thuney
• Drew Dalman
• Jonah Jackson
• Darnell Wright
• Kiran Amegadjie
• Ryan Bates
• Ricky Stromberg
• Jordan McFadden
• Bill Murray
• Chris Glaser
• Theo Benedet
• Joshua Miles

Talk about a freaking overhaul. Ryan Poles and Ben Johnson had a clear goal this offseason and accomplished that by overhauling the offensive line. Thuney, Dalman, and Jackson give the Bears a strong interior protection with returning tackles Jones and Wright on the outside. More depth is still needed, but the roster does have a few promising backups in-house already.

Defensive End (6):

• Montez Sweat
• Dayo Odeyingbo
• Austin Booker
• Dominique Robinson
• Daniel Hardy
• Jamree Kromah

A edge rusher partner in crime for Sweat has been found in the emerging Odeyingbo, who will be in line for the largest role in his career with the Bears. Behind those two, the Bears will be banking on a sophomore leap from Booker unless another top pass rusher is added to the room.

Interior Defensive Linemen (5):

• Gervon Dexter
• Andrew Billings
• Grady Jarrett
• Zacch Pickens
• Chris Williams

A much-needed veteran presence was added to this room in Jarrett, who will be a strong addition to the locker room and the interior of the defensive front rotating with Dexter and Billings. Pickens, however, is on cut watch if the team adds another interior body to the room in the draft.

Linebacker (6):

• Tremaine Edmunds
• T.J. Edwards
• Amen Ogbongbemiga
• Noah Sewell
• Carl Jones
• Swayze Bozeman

The linebacker room looks set, barring any LB3 addition to make up for the loss of Jack Sanborn. The duo of Edmunds and Edwards will return for another season in 2025 with Ogbongbemiga re-signed as well on a two-year deal.

Cornerback (5):

• Jaylon Johnson
• Kyler Gordon
• Tyrique Stevenson
• Terell Smith
• Josh Blackwell

No changes as of yet to the cornerback room beyond the two-year extension for Blackwell. This is a strong group and the future of this position will look even better once Gordon lands his well-earned extension in the coming weeks.

Safety (6):

• Kevin Byard
• Jaquan Brisker
• Elijah Hicks
• Jonathan Owens
• Tarvarius Moore
• Alex Cook

At safety, the Bears still haven't looked to add anyone to the room, but will be returning both starters in Byard and Brisker. The depth remains the same, but I wouldn't be shocked if Dennis Allen requests to add someone here.

Specialists (3):

• Cairo Santos (K)
• Tory Taylor (P)
• Scott Daly (LS)

The only notable thing here is the decision to roll with Scott Daly at long snapper over Patrick Scales, the team's former longest-tenured player on the roster.

Top-5 Team Needs Still Remaining

RB: Adding a top back to this offense can absolutely take the Bears to the next level. Ben Johnson's scheme starts on the ground and D'Andre Swift showed in 2024 he can't handle all of the work by himself. Look to see a top back added in the draft.

DE: Even after adding Dayo Odeyingbo, the Bears could still look to add another edge rusher to the room for depth purposes. Austin Booker could take a jump, but pairing him with a top rookie behind the two starters would put this unit over the top.

LT: Ryan Poles mentioned the team will open up some competition at left tackle, although Braxton Jones will likely start in 2025. Kiran Amegadjie is an in-house option to eventually take over, but finding another solution might be worth it in the long run.

LB: The core is set but I'm concerned about losing Jack Sanborn and not finding a replacement so far. Amen Ogbongbemiga is great for special teams but the position needs a true #3 on defense and to eventually take over as a starter if Edmunds leaves after the 2025 season.

S: The same goes for safety. The starting duo is set and the depth pieces are adequate, but Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker are both playing on expiring deals in 2025. This position needs a long-term solution, the sooner the better.