Grading the signings: Chicago’s first week of free agency gifts Dennis Allen new pieces and reunites Ben Johnson with a familiar weapon
The Chicago Bears made eight external signings during the first week of free agency.
The first week of free agency is in the books for the Chicago Bears with eight new outside additions set to join the roster for the 2026 season and it’s clear this team had a clear vision for the kind of talent they wanted to add during this period of the offseason.
The Bears certainly got a lot faster after the last seven days but many are still debating whether the roster actually improved after also losing 14 players so far from the 2025 team. Let’s break down each of the eight external signings and see what kind of grade each move deserves.
Grading the Chicago Bears external signings after the first week of free agency
Coby Bryant – safety
In a vacuum, Coby Bryant is a great player that’s still yet to hit his peak. Seattle was bummed to lose him according to general manager Ryan Poles and he will be the perfect fit in Allen’s scheme while working with defensive backs coach Al Harris. He was a bit pricey compared to what Kevin Byard III got from New England, but he is 26-years-old with a lot of great football ahead of him.
Grade: B+
Devin Bush – linebacker
The Bears were preaching they needed to add speed to the defense at the NFL Combine and they got it at the linebacker position with Devin Bush. After a shaky start to his career, Bush is coming off easily the best season of his career. The Bears are hoping they can capitalize on that success at the perfect time and banking on 2025 not being a one-year wonder for Bush. He’s a true play-maker and should fit right in with this defense.
Grade: B
Neville Gallimore – defensive tackle
The more I’ve watched of Neville Gallimore, the more I’ve liked. He’s got some real speed to him as a interior defensive lineman and the ability to shoot through the traffic right after the snap. As a rotational guy, I can see what the Bears were looking at with him and he has plenty of experience to bring to the locker room. I’m still not sold on the price, even if it’s two-year, $10 million. I was really high on the other interior options that were available when the Bears made this signing.
Grade: C+
Kalif Raymond – wide receiver
Between cost, potential impact, and scheme familiarity, there’s not a signing I loved more this offseason for the Bears than plucking Kalif Raymond from the Detroit Lions. In his three seasons working in Ben Johnson’s offense, Raymond had 99 receptions for 1,320 yards and three touchdowns while being named as a second-team All Pro returner in two of the three seasons. Essentially, he will be replacing Olamide Zaccheaus and Devin Duvernay for half the price.
Grade: A-
Kentavius Street – defensive tackle
I’ll be honest, I expected more former Dennis Allen players to be signed this offseason and Kentavius Street is the only one that actually was. The last time Street played for Allen, he set a career-high 3.5 sacks and QB hits. Since then, he’s had 3.0 sacks in three seasons. Maybe Allen can unlock him again, but the real concerning part is that he’s never played more than 300 defensive snaps since that same season in New Orleans in 2022. Hopefully it’s not just adding a guy for what he was four years ago.
Grade: D+
Jedrick Wills – offensive tackle
After seeing the contract for Jedrick Wills, I decided to raise the grade compared to the original grade when the signing was first announced. His deal is only a one year, $1.215 million deal and he will legitimately have the opportunity to compete for the starting left tackle position. It’s unlikely Wills can return to his previous level coming off a serious injury that forced him to sit out a full season. If he can return to a decent level and shakes off the rust, this could be incredible value for Chicago. If he can’t the Bears can just cut him at little cost.
Grade: B-
Cam Lewis – defensive back
If you ever want to know if you’re team made a good signing in free agency, just look at what his former team fanbase says on social media. For those that don’t know much about Cam Lewis, Bills Mafia absolutely loved this guy. Lewis is a versatile defensive back that can help the Bears out as a depth player at nickel and at safety. He also has over 1,000 special teams snaps under his belt.
Grade: B
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