Additional moves at RB and concerns with the depth off the edge headline the 3 remaining questions for the Bears after the 2025 Draft
With the 2025 NFL Draft behind us, the Chicago Bears have nearly reached the 90-man roster limit heading into the rest of the offseason schedule.Over the weekend, the Bears added eight new rookie draft picks and signed nine undrafted free agents (so far).Based on the new additions, head coach Ben Johnson said that he hopes […]
With the 2025 NFL Draft behind us, the Chicago Bears have nearly reached the 90-man roster limit heading into the rest of the offseason schedule.
Over the weekend, the Bears added eight new rookie draft picks and signed nine undrafted free agents (so far).
Based on the new additions, head coach Ben Johnson said that he hopes the dial is turned up for the competition to make this team in 2025. While the team made some notable moves and decisions over the weekend, there's still three burning questions left to be answered on this roster.
1. Is the running back position really set?
The Bears made a surprising, and honestly controversial, choice to wait out drafting a running back until the seventh-round of the NFL Draft. Chicago certainly missed out on the opportunity to land some of the top backs in the class, but part of it was also their own fault by being conservative and trusting the board will fall to them.
Seeing the final result of the draft, it's hard to fault the process, but many were hoping to see an impact back join this roster over the weekend.
As it stands, the Bears currently have five running backs on the roster in D'Andre Swift, Roschon Johnson, Travis Homer, Ian Wheeler, and rookie Kyle Monangai. Based on that room, the coaching staff has reaffirmed the confidence in Swift bouncing back in this new offense with a revamped offensive front. Behind him, I expect Monangai to quickly command a lot of snaps in this offense over Johnson.
There's still a shot the Bears feel like they need to make another addition to this room prior to the start of the season. Could that be adding a veteran free agent such as Nick Chubb, JK Dobbins, or Jamaal Williams? How about making a trade for someone such as Breece Hall, Kenneth Walker III, or Zach Charbonnet? Or does the coaching staff truly believe their set in the backfield with these five players? Time will tell.
2. Should the Bears feel comfortable with the depth at edge?
Another position the Bears opted not to address during the 2025 Draft was edge rusher. Similar to at running back, general manager Ryan Poles mentioned waiting to make some moves here but the only defensive line addition was Shemar Turner, who has some versatility along the entire front but is best suited on the interior.
That leaves Montez Sweat, Dayo Odeyingbo, Austin Booker, and Dominique Robinson as the team's top-4 pass rushers off the edge. Gervon Dexter Sr. could also see some snaps playing off the edge, and fits the Dennis Allen type at the position if he can drop more weight over the summer but I was expecting some kind of move here.
Not making one puts a lot of pressure on Odeyingbo and Booker to step up. Odeyingbo has always seemed like a player waiting to breakout when given the chance to be a starter, and here's his chance. And the team will be giving Booker all the opportunity to prove the team right in trading up to draft him this season.
3. What's the long-term plan at safety?
Another position with no additions made during the draft was at safety, which is a more pressing need in 2026 but one the team easily could have addressed early.
The Bears are slated to return the same five guys at the position, including both starters in Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker. The team is confident in Brisker's ability to bounce back now that he's fully cleared and still has room to improve in his game. The biggest worry is that no one currently on the roster at the safety position is on the books after the 2025 season.
Brisker, if he can prove to stay healthy and shine, should warrant an extension with the team but Byard's future is a different story given his age (he will be 32 during the season). Beyond that, there's no long-term plan here after this season. Which could easily just be something the team pushes down the road to deal with next offseason after seeing what they have in the guys this year.
Chicago Bears way too early 53-man roster projection and potential roster cuts immediately following the 2025 NFL Draft
First crack at deciding the 2025 squad.
