INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (670 The Score) — Following one of the most disappointing seasons in franchise history, the Bears arrived at the NFL Combine last week rejuvenated. They have a renewed sense of hope after hiring new head coach Ben Johnson.
Through many press conferences and countless conversations last week in Indianapolis, it became clear that the Bears have changed the way they’re viewed around the NFL. Coaches, executives, scouts and agents also believe that Bears general manager Ryan Poles is prepared to be aggressive this offseason.
The Bears boast nearly $80 million in salary cap space, among the most in the NFL. They also hold the No. 10 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and a pair of second-round selections.
Poles and the Bears have the resources to help spark a turnaround. With that in mind, let's share our takeaways from what we learned at the NFL Combine.
Still on guard
After taking a mostly cautious approach in free agency in his first three offseasons in Chicago, Poles is willing to pursue a top-of-the-market player if the fit is right.
“The clearer the vision, the more aggressive you can be, and that's important,” Poles said. “You want to be selective in free agency.
“But if there are certain players that hit all the check boxes that you need, there’s really no reason to hold back and you can be aggressive in those situations.”
For Poles, that sentiment applied to Pro Bowl guard Trey Smith, according to multiple sources. The Bears coveted him, but he won't reach unrestricted free agency after the Chiefs used the non-exclusive franchise tag on him last Friday. That means Smith is free to sign an offer sheet with another team, but the Chiefs have matching rights. Beyond that, if the Chiefs declined to match, they'd receive two first-round picks from the team that signs Smith.
Still, that doesn’t necessarily mean Smith won’t be available. Early last March, the Chiefs utilized the non-exclusive franchise tag on cornerback L’Jarius Sneed with the intention to trade him. He was dealt to the Titans in late March, with the Chiefs receiving a third-round pick and the two teams swapping seventh-round slots.
Chiefs general manager Brett Veach indicated last week that he hopes to sign Smith to a long-term contract extension, but the possibility looms that Kansas City could trade its tagged player once again.
Smith would command well over $20 million annually on the open market, according to sources. The franchise tag will pay him $23.402 million in 2025, setting a steep benchmark for negotiations on a long-term deal.
At the least, Smith’s future is still worth exploring for the Bears. Poles was part of the Chiefs’ scouting brass that selected Smith in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft, so he knows Smith well as a player and person.
But the Bears will also be ready to look elsewhere when the open negotiating period opens March. Two players who make a lot of sense for the Bears are center Drew Dalman (Falcons) and guard Will Fries (Colts), who are each hitting free agency at 26 years old.
The Bears could also turn to 13-year veteran guard Kevin Zeitler, a 34-year-old who would be an ideal short-term option. Zeitler played under Johnson in Detroit last season.
Poles believes the strengths of the free-agent class and the NFL Draft fit the Bears' needs. It’s hard to imagine the Bears getting overly aggressive for an offensive tackle in free agency given that they should have the opportunity to select with the No. 10 overall pick. Beyond that, Chicago’s brass also remains confident in three-year starting left tackle Braxton Jones.
The Bears seem likely to address their interior offensive line in free agency and then look for an offensive tackle in the NFL Draft.
Return of the Mack?
As Poles mentioned at the NFL Combine, a strong defense can never have enough pass rushers.
The Bears certainly don't have enough pass rushers. Defensive end Montez Sweat was slowed by nagging injuries in 2024, and the Bears didn't have a consistent edge rusher opposite of him. Poles is now preparing to aggressively explore the market for an edge rusher.
A reunion between nine-time Pro Bowl pass rusher Khalil Mack and the Bears could make sense.
Mack, who turned 34 last week, only had six sacks in 2024 as he played through a groin injury for much of the season. He had 4.5 sacks in his first eight games before suffering the groin injury on Nov. 3. He had only 1.5 sacks in the rest of the season.
Mack had a career-best 17 sacks in 2023, dominating alongside fellow Chargers star pass rusher Joey Bosa. Many will see his drop in production and believe age has caught up to Mack. That likely isn’t the case.
Sources believe Mack has interest in a return to Chicago, where he played from 2018-’21. Mack isn't interested in the spotlight, but the vision would be for him to be a complementary piece of the defense, not the star.
The Bears made Mack the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history after trading for him in 2018. Poles then traded him to the Chargers in March 2022 in a move that signaled the start of the Bears' rebuild.
As the Bears look to make a turnaround, they could sign Mack to a one- or two-year deal that fits within quarterback Caleb Williams' rookie contract window. That would allow them to retain their salary cap flexibility in the long-term.
Open for business in the backfield
Johnson's offense in Detroit boasted a prolific running back tandem in David Montgomery, who played for the Bears from 2019-'22, and Jahmyr Gibbs, a first-round pick in 2023.
The Bears would certainly love to create their own “Sonic & Knuckles” duo in the backfield. That's unlikely to happen this offseason, but Johnson’s influence will be key in making decisions at running back.
Poles indicated the Bears will evaluate the running back position after D'Andre Swift had an underwhelming 2024 season.
“We’re going to take a look at what’s available to us,” Poles said. “I really believe it lines up with the additions we’re going to have over these next two player acquisition periods of free agency and the draft, we’ll be in a position to have a strong run game, to stay balanced, which in turn helps the quarterback out.”
Aaron Jones, Najee Harris, J.K. Dobbins, Nick Chubb, Javonte Williams and Rico Dowdle are a few of the running backs slated to hit free agency. Boise State star Ashton Jeanty is the top running back prospect in this NFL Draft class.
If the Bears were to select Jeanty, it would remind of the Lions’ bold move to draft Gibbs with the No. 12 overall pick two years ago. But Detroit was at a different point in developing its roster. Chicago can’t afford a luxury like Jeanty given its needs on the offensive line and defensive line.
An understated need
Since breaking into coaching in 2009, Johnson has served as a tight ends coach at three different stops.
He understands the importance of the position in his offensive plans. In Chicago, the equation will start with better incorporating tight end Cole Kmet in the offense after he had a drop in production last season.
The Bears will also look to add to the position this offseason, perhaps through both free agency and the draft. The goal is to make this position a dynamic part of Johnson's offense.
“(Johnson) is going to put those guys in a position to be successful,” Poles said. “And usually with a young quarterback, tight ends are able to have a lot of production. So, making sure those guys are lined up, have the chemistry, seeing things the same way, I believe from his past, that should be able to take off pretty good.”
The free-agent class lacks game-changing tight ends, which isn't a surprise. Juwan Johnson, Mike Gesicki and Zach Ertz are among the tight ends set to become free agents.
The draft class is deep with tight end options in the middle and later rounds, which will give the Bears a great opportunity to add to the position.
Fields of opportunities?
A year ago at this time, the Bears were preparing to trade away three-year starting quarterback Justin Fields to pave the way for Williams.
After spending a year in Pittsburgh, the 25-year-old Fields could soon be an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career. If the Steelers choose 36-year-old Russell Wilson as their quarterback, the Giants and Raiders are teams that make sense for Fields. Beyond them, the Colts are another team to watch. Indianapolis is looking to add competition for quarterback Anthony Richardson. Fields has believers in Indianapolis, including Colts head coach Shane Steichen.
Fields should have a better chance to revive his career in 2025.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.