Ranking the Chicago Bears' five biggest roster needs heading into 2025 offseason along with potential options to fill those needs
The Chicago Bears took a slight step backwards in 2024 in a year when many believed the team would get back on the right track.During the 5-12 disappointing season, the Bears were forced to fire a head coach and an offensive coordinator at various points in the season and at one point were riding a […]
The Chicago Bears took a slight step backwards in 2024 in a year when many believed the team would get back on the right track.
During the 5-12 disappointing season, the Bears were forced to fire a head coach and an offensive coordinator at various points in the season and at one point were riding a 10-game losing streak. On the bright side, the Bears found their franchise quarterback in rookie first overall pick Caleb Williams.
With the offseason now upon us, the Bears' goal has to be building around Williams and adding the best possible talent to the roster with a high-level of assets at the front office's disposal.
Here are the five most important roster needs on the team based on the current 2025 roster and some potential options that could fill those needs via free agency or draft.
5. Backup TE
Heading into the 2024 season, the Bears' tight end room looked really strong on paper. The team already had a stud in Cole Kmet and went out to add an athletic complement in Gerald Everett to reunite him with his former OC. Then, veteran Marcedes Lewis agreed to return for another season.
With those three locked in on the roster, the Bears had to leave a few young developmental options off the list but the front office seemed comfortable doing so.
Once the season began, the position became non-existent, even after a change in offensive play-callers. Kmet had three games with ZERO targets and six games with only one or fewer receptions. Behind Kmet, Everett and Lewis failed to play any meaningful snaps. Neither should be brought back in 2025 and the team should instead look to acquire another backup option in free agency.
Eye Opening Stat (via Jeff Berckes): Everett and Lewis combined to have 15 targets, 9 receptions, and 38 yards while having six total combined penalties for -40 yards. Total impact during the season: -2 yards.
Potential Targets: Austin Hooper, Teagan Quitoriano, Mason Taylor (Draft)
4. Wide Receiver
This might raise some eyebrows, but the Bears need to add some more wide receivers to the roster, regardless of what happens with veteran Keenan Allen.
Ideally, the Bears bring Allen back to continue building his connection with Williams, whom Williams considered to be the best player he's ever played with. Even if Allen returns, the Bears can't rely on Allen, DJ Moore, and Rome Odunze exclusively.
The Bears need to add someone who can stretch the field if the plan on using Moore as a catch and run style weapon again like they did in 2024. The Bears got plenty of production, even with all the issues, from their Big 3 in the room, but the team's WR4 (Deandre Carter) finished the year with nine receptions for 72 yards and zero TDs. And what in the world happened to 2023 fourth-round pick Tyler Scott??
Eye Opening Stat (via Kevin Fishbain): The Bears had 3 WRs each total 700+ receiving yards during the same season for the first time in franchise history.
Potential Targets: Hollywood Brown, TuTu Atwell, Xavier Restrepo (Draft)
3. Running Back
The Bears made one of the first splashes in free agency last offseason by signing D'Andre Swift to a pretty substantial contract. As a dual-threat back, there was a lot to like about Swift's impact in Chicago heading into the regular season, unfortunately the team just couldn't find a way to use him consistently.
Swift had a career-high 253 rushing attempts in 2024 and played 67% of the team's offensive snaps. Overall, he still finished the season with 1,345 scrimmage yards and six total touchdowns, which on paper, looks like a solid season from your lead back.
However, time after time we saw Swift struggle when running up the middle and the Bears were frustrating with how they managed the backfield (the team's RB2 Roschon Johnson only had just 150 yards on 55 attempts).
Eye Opening Stat: D'Andre Swift finished the season averaging 2.46 yards after contact per attempt, which ranked last among 24 RBs with 200+ attempts in 2024.
Potential Targets: Najee Harris, Ashton Jeanty (Draft), Cam Skattebo (Draft)
2. Defensive Line
This was a slight need last offseason and the Bears tried to make some moves to add some depth to the defensive front. The front office drafted Austin Booker in the fifth-round, signed Jacob Martin, and traded for both Darrell Taylor and Chris Williams.
Ultimately, no one was able to step up to help take the pressure off Montez Sweat on the edge and Gervon Dexter inside. The loss of Andrew Billings made things even worse for the unit halfway through the season.
The team needs another alpha player of some kind to take this position group to the next level. Whether that's by trading for another top edge rusher or signing a top free agent either off the edge or on the interior.
Eye Opening Stat: From Weeks 1-9, Gervon Dexter had 4.0 sacks and 12 total QB hits. Following Andrew Billings' injury in Week 9, Dexter only had one sack and 7 QB hits.
Potential Targets: Josh Sweat, Milton Williams, Abdul Carter (Draft)
1. Interior Offensive Line
This should come as no surprise to anyone. If you watched any Bears' game this season, you likely saw Caleb Williams get sacked 5+ times or saw center Coleman Shelton get driven onto his back right in Williams' lap.
Each of the three starters on the interior of the Bears' offensive line is expected to hit free agency and there's a high chance all three don't return in 2025. Left guard Teven Jenkins himself said it will be 50-50 if he returns and the only one I would bring back would be right guard Matt Pryor, simply for depth purposes.
This area of the offensive line is set to receive a major overhaul once again this offseason and it'll be general manager Ryan Poles' last chance to get this group fixed.
Eye Opening Stat: The Bears had seven different starting offensive line combinations and 27 different combination changes throughout the entire year (including mid-game lineup changes). The 27 different combinations was the most in the NFL.
Potential Targets: Trey Smith, Will Campbell (Draft), Marcus Mbow (Draft)
