Editor's note: This column was updated Friday night to reflect the Bears' trade of the No. 1 overall pick, which returned a haul that included receiver D.J. Moore and affected Chicago's salary cap figure.
(670 The Score) A year ago at this time, the goal for then-rookie general manager Ryan Poles and the Bears was simply to get out of their crippling salary cap situation.
Poles started the Bears' rebuild in earnest by trading star pass rusher Khalil Mack to the Chargers, then parted ways with other veterans in defensive lineman Akiem Hicks, nose tackle Eddie Goldman, linebacker Danny Trevathan and safety Tashaun Gipson. Each decision was made to create a healthier salary cap position.
No longer are the Bears burdened by a lack of financial flexibility. As the start of NFL free agency looms next week, Chicago boasts an NFL-high $75.6 million in salary cap space. The next-closest team in cap space is the Atlanta Falcons, who have $67.3 million available.
On the field, the Bears suffered a difficult first season under Poles' direction, going an NFL-worst 3-14 to land the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Chicago dealt that top selection on Friday to Carolina in a blockbuster trade that landed it the No. 9 overall pick, a second-round pick at No. 61 overall in 2023, a 2024 first-round pick, a 2025 second-round pick and receiver D.J. Moore.
Now, the start of free agency will give the Bears the next chance to build their roster as they seek to contend.
With that in mind, here are the Bears' five biggest priorities in free agency and the potential solutions available to them.
Note: Teams are permitted to begin negotiating contracts Monday at 11 a.m. CT, and deals can officially be signed beginning Wednesday at 3 p.m. CT, which is when the new league years starts.
1. Defensive line
Bears coach Matt Eberflus' desired defensive identity was rarely on display in 2022, and a big reason was because of the defensive line's struggles.
The Bears generated pressure on just 15.9% of quarterback dropbacks, the second-worst mark in the NFL. They posted only 20 sacks over 17 games. The defensive front was just as poor against the running game, with Chicago allowing the second-most rushing yards of any team.
Veteran defensive lineman Larry Ogunjobi was thought to be Poles' premium addition in free agency after he agreed to a deal in principle last March, but he never signed with the Bears after the team backed off following a concerning medical evaluation. Justin Jones, who was signed in place of Ogunjobi, ranked 110th out of 126 eligible interior defenders by the metrics of Pro Football Focus.
Put simply, Poles and the Bears must prioritize the defensive line this offseason – both in free agency and the draft. It seems almost certain the Bears will have signed a veteran defensive lineman by late next week.
Javon Hargrave (Eagles) is considered the top available interior defensive lineman on the open market, according to Pro Football Focus. He posted 11 sacks and 10 tackles for a loss over a full 17-game slate in Philadelphia in 2022. He could command nearly $20 million annually on the open market. Signing Hargrave would mark a massive splash for Poles and the Bears.
Dalvin Tomlinson (Vikings), Dre'Mont Jones (Broncos) and Zach Allen (Cardinals) are the other top interior defensive linemen available on the open market.
This free-agent class lacks premium edge rushers who could significantly bolster the Bears' defensive front. But Chicago's edge rushers produced only 5.5 combined sacks last season, so even lower-profile names could represent a solid upgrade.
Marcus Davenport (Saints), Arden Key (Jaguars), Samson Ebukam (49ers) and Yannick Ngakoue (Colts) are among the available edge rushers who could improve the Bears' defensive front without costing a fortune.
2. Linebacker
The Bears' inability to reach a contract extension with star linebacker Roquan Smith cast a shadow over the team's training camp and the first two months of the 2022 season before he was ultimately dealt to the Ravens in exchange for a second-round pick.
Smith landed the lucrative contract extension he coveted, a five-year, $100-million deal that the Bears weren't willing to pay. Poles held firm to his perceived value of the maximum contract for an off-ball linebacker like Smith, and Poles believes that Eberflus' defense can create success stories at that position without the team spending premium money there.
The Bears struggled to replace Smith at the weakside linebacker position once he was dealt in late October. Finding a solution for that position needs to be a priority this offseason and the open market has plenty of intriguing options available.
Lavonte David (Buccaneers), Tremaine Edmunds (Bills), David Long (Titans) and Bobby Wagner (Rams) are among the top linebackers available in this free-agent class. However, the Bears could be most interested in former Colts linebacker Bobby Okereke, whom Eberflus helped develop and coached over three years together in Indianapolis.
3. Offensive line
There isn't a single starting spot on the Bears' offensive line that's solidified heading into 2023. Left tackle Braxton Jones was a success story in his rookie season of 2022 and Teven Jenkins had a promising turnaround at right guard, but the unit as a whole often left quarterback Justin Fields running for his life and without a fair chance to make a play.
The Bears need to find stability on their offensive line, and free agency offers the chance to do so. Poles will look to find linemen who fit the Bears' outside-zone blocking scheme, which means four-time Pro Bowl tackle Orlando Brown Jr. (Chiefs) or standout tackle Mike McGlinchey (49ers) likely aren't the leading options. Instead, Jawaan Taylor (Jaguars) might be exactly what the Bears need, as he's an impressive tackle who's strong at run blocking.
Taylor could potentially fill the Bears' right tackle vacancy, which would allow the Bears to move forward with Jones at left tackle and continue his development.
Poles must also make a decision on the Bears' interior offensive line, including whether Cody Whitehair remains the team's best option at left guard. There are also questions about the the future of Lucas Patrick, who was limited to just seven games in 2022 due to injuries. Do the Bears believe he can bounce back as their starting center in 2023?
If not, Ethan Pocic (Browns) and Connor McGovern (Jets) could represent improvements for the Bears at center and help their line as a whole find better form.
4. Wide receiver
After the Bears acquired receiver Chase Claypool in exchange for a second-round pick in a trade with the Steelers on Nov. 1, Poles cited the need to act early because of the upcoming weak market at the position. Despite underwhelming production over seven games with the Bears last season, Claypool would still be one of the top receivers available in free agency now if he was out of contract.
Regardless, the Bears still need add quality depth at wide receiver for Fields, and there are several veterans who could help. Jakobi Meyers (Patriots) is the top wide receiver available, and each of his reception totals over the last three seasons – 59, 83 and 67 – surpassed that of the Bears' leading wide receiver from 2022.
Beyond Meyers, D.J. Chark Jr. (Lions) could sign at a relative discount after being limited by a hamstring injury in 2022, and Mecole Hardman might be an appealing pickup given his background with Poles and the Chiefs.
5. Running back
The Bears must make a decision on running back David Montgomery's future as he's set to hit free agency. Given what has become clear about Poles' perceptions of positional value, is he willing to pay a running back on a second contract?
After franchise tags were tendered on Saquon Barkley (Giants), Josh Jacobs (Raiders) and Tony Pollard (Cowboys), Montgomery might find more of a market outside of Chicago. That's also in part because the Bears' belief in third-year running back Khalil Herbert could give them comfort in letting Montgomery hit the open market.
Either way, the Bears need to add running back depth. They won't have to break the bank for one of the top backs available – and Poles' value of the position doesn't make that a likely scenario.
Devin Singletary (Bills), Jerrick McKinnon (Chiefs) or Jeff Wilson Jr. (Dolphins) would represent key depth for the Bears at running back and help improve their offense as a whole.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.
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