The Chicago Bears made a total of 16 moves this offseason between the external additions and re-signings/extensions that were made. More moves are on the way with the 2026 NFL Draft coming up next week and the potential always there to restructure contracts and make more additions.

Overall, it’s hard to say right now that the roster has really improved since the season ended in February. One thing is clear, however, there’s going to be a lot of overhaul on this roster going into the second season under head coach Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Dennis Allen.

And before we even know who the Bears select in April’s draft, the first week of free agency already put a few recent draft picks on the hot seat.

Bears players on the hot seat following the first week of free agency

OL Kiran Amegadjie

Things already looked grim for the 2024 third-round pick, who is officially on the way toward becoming yet another draft bust under general manager Ryan Poles’ watch. Kiran Amegadjie can’t seem to stay healthy enough to develop and was already viewed as a developmental prospect to begin with. He’s entering Year 3 with no defined path to see the field and the Bears opted to re-sign Braxton Jones and add Jedrick Wills to compete for the left tackle job. The staff also showed last season they trust Theo Benedet more as a depth option that also has guard versatility. Amegadjie is as good as gone when it comes to the 53-man roster but will still be a viable practice squad option.

LB Ruben Hyppolite II or Noah Sewell

I would be absolutely shocked if the Bears keep five linebackers, based on the current group. Chicago splashed on Devin Bush to replace Tremaine Edmunds while giving D’Marco Jackson a new deal with a solid pay raise. Those two are ideal fits for Allen’s scheme while having T.J. Edwards as a starting option once he recovers from his fractured fibula. Plus, there’s still a shot the Bears look to draft another linebacker in April. All of which spells bad news for 2024 fourth-round pick Ruben Hyppolite and/or 2023 fifth-round pick Noah Sewell (who’s also coming off a late season Achilles tear).

DT Gervon Dexter Sr.

One player with rumored trade interest at the NFL Combine was former second-round defensive tackle Gervon Dexter Sr., who’s set to enter into the final year of his rookie contract. Those trade rumors were disregarded considering the lack of depth on the interior of the team’s defensive line, but that was before the Bears signed Neville Gallimore and Kentavius Street. After those additions, and the option still on the table to draft a first-round defensive tackle like Peter Woods or Kayden McDonald, Dexter’s seat could get even hotter in April and reignite some outside trade interest.

The seat has cooled off for these Bears players, for now

RB D’Andre Swift

There were rumblings that the Bears could look to move on from D’Andre Swift if a viable upgrade became available on the open market. Breece Hall ended up getting tagged by the Jets while Kenneth Walker III and Travis Etienne signed solid deals with new teams. The upgrade just wasn’t there, which means Swift should be in line to return in 2026 as the lead back on the final year of his contract. If the Bears look to add another back in the draft at this point, Roschon Johnson should be more concerned about his roster spot than Swift should be.

QB Tyson Bagent

The news surrounding backup quarterback Tyson Bagent was more than rumblings. Poles and Johnson confirmed at the NFL Combine that there was legit outside trade interest in Bagent but the Bears had a firm asking price that no QB-needy team was willing to meet, forcing them to go after other options. However, if a major injury happens between now and September, other teams could come calling again and the Bears added some insurance at the position by re-signing Case Keenum.

CB Tyrique Stevenson

I wouldn’t call it rumblings, but more so whispers when it came to Tyrique Stevenson potentially getting moved. Stevenson fell out of favor with the defensive staff during the 2025 season amid the breakout season from Nahshon Wright. Stevenson is still on the roster, however, and Wright just walked out of the door leaving a starting role up for grabs. Stevenson should be viewed as the early favorite in the competition between him, Zah Frazier, Terell Smith, and a potential rookie draft pick.