Five free agents the Bears should avoid signing, featuring multiple defensive veterans with former ties to Dennis Allen
The Chicago Bears might have to hold Dennis Allen back from bringing in certain players this week.
The NFL free agency frenzy is about to get underway in just a few hours when the legal tampering period begins and the Chicago Bears have been connected to numerous veteran defensive players, but you should expect the team to make some bargain-bin additions instead of spending big.
It’s the right strategy when looking at the number of team needs on this roster and the amount of selections the team has to draft quality players coming out in the 2026 NFL Draft. Even still, the Bears can make some strategic signings to sure up positions of need before April’s draft.
We have already posted the live tracker to follow along with all of the signings and our Top-5 signing predictions for the Bears. But, let’s also break down some of the red flag options the Bears should avoid signing in free agency.
Top-5 players the Chicago Bears should avoid signing in free agency
1. Trey Hendrickson
I know, I know. Trey Hendrickson is the new hot name after the Maxx Crosby trade fell through, but this is not an avenue the Bears should go down. Hendrickson is THE top player hitting the market and will have his phone ringing off the hook when the tampering period opens. He’s easily going to get close to $30 million per year despite his age and the fact he’s coming off an injury. It’s a strong edge class in the draft with plenty of younger talent available for a lot cheaper on the market. Chicago would be wise to sit this out and allow another team to overpay for Hendrickson.
2. Cameron Jordan
The New Orleans Saints and Cameron Jordan are heading toward a divorce after 15 years together, a tenure that included eight Pro Bowl selections for Jordan. But, his last Pro Bowl season came in 2022 and he’s going to be 37-years-old when the 2026 season rolls around. If he’s looking for a one-year deal at a fair price, sure I’d consider it. But again, there’s younger options out there on the market. At the same time, I can see the appeal of adding Jordan and then drafting a guy to develop behind him.
3. Quay Walker
There’s a reason the Green Bay Packers are moving on from this guy four years after drafting him in the first-round. Quay Walker never quite panned out as the star linebacker the Packers envisioned but he’s still expected to have a decent amount of interested teams on the market. Chicago is one of the teams in need of a starting-caliber linebacker. Sure, he’s an athletic guy but his consistency and coverage skills have been major concerns since he entered the league. I’d rather see the Bears spend less money to bring in Demario Davis or Alex Anzalone who actually have experience under Allen.
4. Alontae Taylor and Marshon Lattimore
Keeping the theme consistent here. Not every former Dennis Allen player needs to be on the first jet to Chicago. I keep seeing Alontae Taylor’s name mentioned as a target for the Bears, and it’s true the Bears already tried to trade for him last season. But, that’s when the team was hurting for cornerback help. Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon are fully healthy now with players such as Tyrique Stevenson, Zah Frazier, and Terell Smith behind them. Not to mention the amount of cornerback prospects the Bears met with at the NFL Combine. I wouldn’t be spending money to bring in a veteran corner.
5. Cam Robinson
Finding a one-year stopgap left tackle can be a difficult and expensive process. Unfortunately, it’s something the Bears are going to have to do after Ozzy Trapilo’s injury. Taylor Decker is the top name I’d be interested in signing and if the price for him is too high, I would pivot to Braxton Jones and see if he’s interested in coming back on a one-year deal. What I wouldn’t do is pay Cam Robinson a $12+ million contract. He’s a solid player, I’d just rather offer that kind of money to Decker or not at all.
Chicago Bears News
Bears 2026 Free Agency Tracker: Keeping tabs on all the new free agent signings, re-signings, and departures
A lot of new faces will be playing for the Chicago Bears in 2026.
Chicago Bears News
Bears Boring But Accurate Free Agency Predictions: Ben Johnson and Dennis Allen opt for familiarity over spending big on the market
Here’s the Top-5 signings we see the Chicago Bears making during the first wave of free agency.
