The Chicago Bears were ultra-aggressive during the first day of NFL free agency. Perhaps the best part of the signings weren’t the players, but the common theme amongst them. All three players play in the trenches, which is the area the Bears desperately needed reinforcements for. Now where do the Bears go from here?
The Next Steps for the Bears After Blockbuster Day in Free Agency
Day One Free Agency Recap
For those who missed it, here’s a quick breakdown of the Bears’ key signings:
- C Drew Dalman – 3 year, $42 million
- DE Dayo Odeyingbo – 3 year, $48 million
- DT Grady Jarrett – 3 year, $43.5 million
After years of instability at center, the Bears finally found a solution by signing Falcons’ center Drew Dalman. Ranked as the 4th-best center by Pro Football Focus (PFF) last season, Dalman is an extremely athletic center who fits seamlessly into Ben Johnson’s offensive system. His ability to thrive in space and handle one-on-one matchups makes him a crucial addition.
In nine games last season, Dalman allowed the fifth-lowest 1-on-1 pressure rate among centers and was left 1-on-1 on 45.4% of pass-blocking snaps which was the second-highest rate among centers. Simply put, he’s a stud.
Defensively, Ryan Poles wasted no time addressing the team’s biggest weakness—the defensive line. The Bears signed Dayo Odeyingbo, a versatile pass rusher from the Colts who can play both inside and outside. At 6’6″, 286 pounds, he brings the size and pass-rushing ability that defensive coordinator Dennis Allen loves. In 61 games with 19 starts, Odeyingbo had 106 total tackles, 21 tackles for loss, 16.5 sacks, and five forced fumbles.
The Bears also added Grady Jarrett, a proven disruptor in the middle. While he’s 32 years old, he fills a need at defensive tackle and is 8th in pressures (368) and 12th in sacks (36.5) among defensive tackles in his career. He’ll thrive in a rotation with Andrew Billings, Gervon Dexter Sr., and Chris Williams.
Rewarding Aggression with Patience
In this free agency cycle, it feels like the Bears are always a step ahead. And for a reason. The likely situation that unfolded was during the NFL Combine when the Bears’ front office got a feel for the desaturated free agent market at positions of need and decided to pivot in a different direction. Instead of handing out ridiculously large contracts for guards, the Bears traded for Chiefs’ All-Pro Joe Thuney and Rams’ guard Jonah Jackson. While other teams were scrambling to sign mid-tier guards, the Bears focused on signing Drew Dalman and defensive linemen.
Because the Bears were one step ahead of the market, they were able to be aggressive and land crucial starters in the trenches. Now with few positions to address, the Bears can sit back and let the market come to them. If you don’t believe free agents want to come play for the Bears, CBS Insider Jonathan Jones reported Dalman took less money to play under Ben Johnson and block for Caleb Williams.
Bears’ Draft Strategy Becoming Easier to Predict
For the first time in years, the Bears can enter the draft without glaring holes. Instead of scrambling to fill needs, they can prioritize drafting the best player available (BPA)—a luxury they haven’t had in past drafts.
The first-round pick will likely be a pass rusher or running back Ashton Jeanty. If they trade down, they could stockpile picks, but either way, expect a pass rusher and running back by the end of Round 2.
Beyond that, the Bears will look to build for the future by drafting an interior offensive lineman, wide receiver, safety, and tackle; it’s just a matter of what order.
Last Word on the Bears’ Free Agency Tactics
The Bears’ aggressive start to free agency transformed the roster. Now, the Bears have the flexibility to let the market come to them, allowing them to find hidden gems while preparing for a draft where they control their destiny.
It’s a new era in Chicago—one where players want to play for the Bears, and one where the front office is proving they know how to build a contender.
Main Image: Brett Davis – USA Today Sports
