Bargain bin free agents the Bears could still consider bringing in on low-cost deals ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft
The Chicago Bears are done with the splash signings but could still shop in the bargain bins before the draft.
The Chicago Bears have no money. That’s probably something you’ve heard for a week now following all of the signings made during the first week of free agency. While that’s largely true, the Bears still have plenty of avenues to clear space and make more additions if necessary.
Think about it. If the Bears were really broke and had no cap space, how were they able to sign LB Jack Sanborn and DL James Lynch? Think about this too, the Bears currently have 68 players on the 90-man roster with seven draft selections, so it makes sense if we see more players get added.
At this point, however, the Bears will be bargain bin shopping. Players still on the market will soon begin taking whatever offer they can get, outside of older veterans who think they can wait out the market for one last sizable payday. Most free agents don’t have that kind of luxury. So, here’s a list of names to watch who fit what the Bears still need ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Bargain bin free agents for the Bears to consider following the first two weeks of free agency
CB Trevon Diggs
This seemed like a legit option ahead of the postseason after the Dallas Cowboys released the former second-round pick. Trevon Diggs played his best ball under now-Bears DBs coach Al Harris but instead joined Chicago’s bitter rivals in the Green Bay Packers (who knows if the Bears were even interested at the time). Since then, Diggs wasn’t able to catch on in Green Bay and the Bears allowed Nahshon Wright to walk out of the door, opening up a starting position on the outside. Last April, the Bears signed Wright to a one-year, $1.1 million deal to reunite with Harris and he turned into a Pro Bowler, I could see similar results with Diggs if the Bears take a flyer on him. If it doesn’t work, you just cut him during roster cuts.
Two former Dennis Allen defenders
Cam Jordan is the big name that Bears fans continue to discuss. He’s coming off 10.5 sack season but will be 37-years-old this season. He does have familiarity in the system, but he won’t be cheap and knows his worth. According to Jordan himself, he has a few offers to consider and I would doubt the Bears are one of them. Jordan will also be looking for a clear role off the edge. I’m not sure the Bears could offer that with Montez Sweat, Austin Booker, and a potential high draft pick in the mix.
Marshon Lattimore is another one that I’ll put into this bucket. Again, I’m not high on this idea compared to bringing in Diggs, but Lattimore had the best years of his career playing for Allen. Can he be that kind of player again? Maybe? It all depends on the price and what he’s still asking for. If he’s willing to play on the vet minimum, he’s worth bringing in for camp to see if he can stick around.
TE Will Dissly
The Bears lost a critical player in Durham Smythe, the team’s TE3 that followed former offensive coordinator Declan Doyle to the Baltimore Ravens. He was the first free agent signing that Ben Johnson brought to Chicago and ended up playing 293 offensive snaps as a blocking tight end. The Bears haven’t found a replacement for that role behind Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet with the other rostered tight end consisting of Nikola Kalinic and Stephen Carlson. Will Dissly played 189 offensive snaps for the Chargers last season and was the team’s second-highest graded pass blocker (74.3) and fifth-highest run blocker (64.1). For context, Smythe had a 61.6 pass blocking grade and a 53.2 run blocking grade last season.
RB Dare Ogunbowale
Earlier today, Travis Homer signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers after three seasons in Chicago. He was a trusted special teamer for the Bears but injuries in 2025 sealed his fate. Dare Ogunbowale is someone I would really consider adding to replace Homer in that role. Ogunbowale has played 17 games in four of the last five seasons and logged over 1,800 special teams snaps in his career. He’s always willing to do whatever is necessary to help the team win, literally. Do you remember the game he willingly stepped in as the emergency kicker for the Houston Texans? This is the kind of guy any coach would want to have in the locker room. Ben Johnson and Richard Hightower would love him.
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