The Chicago Bears are starting to get closer to the beginning of the free agency period with tough decisions expected to be made in the coming weeks.

The Bears currently have 14 unrestricted free agents who's contracts are set to expire following the 2023 season. The team will have to choose which players they bring back and which players they let walk in before looking into other free agents.

With that being said, let's dive into this year's free agency class and give predictions for each of the 14 players who could be on the move.

Bears' 2024 unrestricted free agents

• CB Jaylon Johnson
• WR Darnell Mooney
• DE Yannick Ngakoue
• RB D'Onta Foreman
• WR Equanimeous St. Brown
• TE Robert Tonyan
• TE Marcedes Lewis
• DT Justin Jones
• OL Lucas Patrick
• OL Dan Feeney
• DE Rasheem Green
• LS Patrick Scales
• WR Trent Taylor
• LB Dylan Cole

Predicting Bears' biggest free agency decisions:

CB Jaylon Johnson: Franchise Tagged

This is arguably the second biggest decision Bears general manager Ryan Poles will have to make this offseason. After having a career year worthy of second-team All-Pro honors, Jaylon Johnson believes he should be paid among the top cornerbacks in the league, but Poles will have to determine whether one breakout season is worth the major investment.

There's no question about it, Johnson is a difference-maker and the heart of the Bears' entire defense. Letting him leave Chicago is off the table. This might not seem like the best outcome for Johnson, but it's the best alternative for the Bears as a whole. According to A to Z Sports' contract projection, this alternative has a high likelihood of occurring, meaning Johnson will have to prove his 2023 breakout wasn't just an outlier performance in 2024 in order to earn his long-term extension.

"Johnson was given the opportunity to talk to other clubs near the trade deadline this past year and after showing Chicago what other teams were willing to offer him the Bears elected to hold on to him. This bodes well for Johnson’s long-term contract prospects, but he is likely to get franchise tagged for 2024."

• Franchise Tag Likelihood: High
• Extension Projection: 4 yrs $80M, $20.0M APY, $38M fully GTD
• Year One Cap Hit: $11 million

WR Darnell Mooney: Shane Waldron's Discretion 

The Bears will be in the market for more bodies at the wide receiver position in order to effectively run Shane Waldron's offense in 2024, but it seems like Darnell Mooney is no longer in the long-term plans in Chicago.

After recording just 414 yards and one touchdown in 2023 as the second option behind DJ Moore, Mooney failed to live up to his expectations with the team once again. There's an outside shot Waldron wants to have Mooney back in the fold in his offense but the Bears can find more productive options elsewhere in free agency and through the draft. Mooney will get an opportunity to hit the open market for the first time in his career with Spotrac projecting him to land a 4 year, $40+ million contract.

DE Yannick Ngakoue: Walks in Free Agency

The Bears one-year flier's season in Chicago ended with a disappointing outcome after being place on the injured reserve with a broken ankle that forced him to miss the final five games of the season. The Bears signed Yannick Ngakoue to a one-year, $10.5 million deal late in the offseason. Ngakoue recorded 22 tackles and 4.0 sacks in 13 games while playing 72% of the defensive snaps prior to his injury.

The Bears will be in the market for another pass rusher to complement defensive end Montez Sweat but that additional pass rusher will be found elsewhere. Ngakoue's injury also makes it more difficult to bring him back to Chicago. The best scenario for Ngakoue is to sign with a contending team at some point during the 2024 season.

RB D'Onta Foreman: Walks in Free Agency

While he served his purpose during the 2023 season, D'Onta Foreman will likely be finding himself in a new home in 2024. His short return to Chicago ended with a frustrating and honestly confusing turn of events. Foreman started eight games for the Bears in 2023 after Khalil Herbert missed time due to an ankle injury. Foreman rushed for 425 yards and four touchdowns on the season but was surprisingly listed as a healthy inactive during the final two games of the season.

The Bears will enter into the 2024 season with Herbert, Roschon Johnson and Travis Homer under contract at the position. Given the new offensive scheme's emphasis on the passing game, keeping Foreman in Chicago doesn’t seem warranted. Spotrac projects Forman to land a 1-year, $3 million deal on the open market.

WR Equanimeous St. Brown: Leaving with Luke Getsy

The Bears should be expected to move on from all of the offensive players associated with former offensive coordinator Luke Getsky. Equanimeous St. Brown is included in that list of players. St. Brown joined the Bears in 2022 with Getsy after working together in Green Bay. In the past two seasons, he has a combined 385 yards and one touchdown in 23 games. There is no reason for him to possibly be back.

TE Robert Tonyan: Leaving with Luke Getsy

Robert Tonyan is in the same boat after signing with the Bears during the offseason on a one-year contract. Tonyan appeared in all 17 games for the Bears but only recorded 11 receptions for 112 yards and failed to reach the endzone. He ended his only season in Chicago will more mistakes than he had successful plays. He will likely follow Getsy to whatever team he ends up with next.

TE Marcedes Lewis: Run it back for another record setting year

When Marcedes Lewis joined the Bears in 2023, it marked his 18th NFL season, breaking a record for the most seasons by a tight end in NFL history that he previously shared with Jason Witten and Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez. The 39-year-old appeared in all 17 games for the Bears and played 28.8% of the offensive snaps. Waldron ran a three tight end personnel at the 10th highest percentage in the league with the Seahawks in 2023. "Big Dog" should be welcomed back to Chicago with open arms if he wants to continue his longevity.

Predicting the rest of the Bears' FA decisions

DT Justin Jones: Brought back on a one-year deal.
OL Lucas Patrick: Walks in free agency with a better player to replace him.
OL Dan Feeney: Potential re-signing for depth purposes up-front.
DE Rasheem Green: Brought back on a short-term deal as a rotational player.
LS Patrick Scales: Brought back to keep special teams consistency.
WR Trent Taylor: Walks in free agency.
LB Dylan Cole: Walks in free agency.

Five free agents the Bears can target playing in the Conference Championships

The front office will be watching closely