Grading Bears Free Agent Additions: Chicago wasn't afraid to throw some money during legal tampering period, but will it be worth it?
As expected, the Chicago Bears were aggressive in free agency to address the most glaring needs on the roster with top talent.The Bears landed the top center on the market, a rising pass rusher with a bright future, and a veteran leader on the interior of the defensive line thus far in free agency.Doing so […]
As expected, the Chicago Bears were aggressive in free agency to address the most glaring needs on the roster with top talent.
The Bears landed the top center on the market, a rising pass rusher with a bright future, and a veteran leader on the interior of the defensive line thus far in free agency.
Doing so required a major chunk of the team's available cap space, which has led to some concern regarding the three main additions in Chicago. Let's break down the impact of all three deals and give our early grades based on the agreements.
C Drew Dalman
Grade: A
The top signing the Bears made when the legal tampering period opened was the one everyone was hoping for: landing center Drew Dalman.
It seemed like everyone was linking the Bears to Dalman months before this deal finally came together. Chicago has struggled to find a consistent year-to-year starter and now they finally have one in 26-year-old Drew Dalman.
As a run blocker, Dalman has been great throughout his career using his athleticism to reach the second level. In the passing game, he finally started to find his stride in 2024. Playing beside Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson will be great for him as well. What makes this signing even better is the fact that Dalman took less money to come here.
DE Dayo Odeyingbo
Grade: B
The second big signing made by the Bears was agreeing to a sizable three-year, $48 million deal with defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo, and this one had the fanbase puzzled so let's talk through some things here.
Odeyingbo's stats weren't eye-popping during his first four seasons with the Colts: 16.5 sacks, 108 total pressures, and 25 QB hits in 61 career games. People saw those numbers and panicked. But you have to remember, Odeyingbo was a rotational guy in Indianapolis who only made 19 starts throughout his rookie contract.
Odeyingbo is a solid run defender and the pass rush ability is evident when you throw on the tape. Teams saw the potential in this guy, and the Bears weren't the only team willing to throw big money his way to capitalize on a potential breakout pass rusher.
DT Grady Jarrett
Grade: C-
I'm a lot lower on this signing for a reason, but still not as low as some experts are out there. The Bears decision to heavily pursue defensive tackle Grady Jarrett came out of left field, although the need was pressing on the interior of the defensive line.
Still, I felt there were plenty of quality veteran options on the market who are expected to make much less than Jarrett's three-year, $43.5 million deal. When you look at the deal itself, it's basically going to be a two-year deal, but still a high price for a player that will be 32-years-old when the season kicks off.
However, the Bears wanted this guy for a reason. Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen watched Jarrett terrorize the NFC South for a decade and linebackers coach Richard Smith was the defensive coordinator when Jarrett was drafted by the Falcons. To me, the price and age are concerning, but he's a leader, which is what the unit needed.
Caleb Williams and Ryan Poles primed to benefit the most from first wave of free agent signings while the future of two recent draft picks becomes even more uncertain
Winners and Losers from the signings so far.
