Four free agents that the Bears should target in 2025 |
Dustin Riese
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- 10 hours ago
Now that the NFL Draft has come and gone, it's time for the Chicago Bears to focus on the next part of the offseason. This is also known as Phase Two of free agency, as teams will once again dive into the free agent market to round out their rosters for training camp.
Granted, Phase Two is never going to be as exciting as Phase One, but plenty of talented players remain on the market for the Bears to not only target, but these players will help the Bears in some aspect. When you look at the remaining free agents left, you could make the case that the Bears should target at least 10-15 players, but there are four players who are remaining that should be at the top of the Bears' list. The first two on this list are the least likely to sign with the Bears, and that's mainly because they will be looking for starting roles instead of splitting time with D'Andre Swift in the backfield. Nick Chubb and JK Dobbins come to mind as they are the top remaining running backs on the market. Before drafting Kyle Monangai in Round 7, the Bears' running backs room desperately needed depth, and even after taking him, it could still use some depth. Chubb and Dobbins would not only give the Bears depth, but would give them two starting-caliber running backs to lean on. Chubb is coming off a season where he battled back from a gruesome knee injury and finished the season with 102 carries, 332 yards, and three touchdowns. He is a better player than that, and as expected, he is holding out for a starter opportunity instead of a backup. The same can be said about Dobbins, who was also battling back from an injury and could be waiting on a starting role to open. Unlike Chubb, Dobbins played most of the season and put up strong numbers for the Chargers, finishing with 195 carries, 905 yards, and nine touchdowns. He would be the most likely out of the two to take a backup role, but don't expect that to happen in Chicago. Other names on this list have not only been linked as possible fits for the Bears, but you get a sense of why the Bears would want to bring them in. One of the surprising names mentioned is former Miami Dolphins safety Marcus Maye, who is still looking for a new team. When you look at the Bears' secondary, the safety position may not seem like a need, but with the health of Jaquon Brisker in question and Kevin Byard entering the final year of his deal, Chicago does need to plan for the future. Maye is someone who not only would help this team in 2025, but would also fall right into their plans beyond 2025. After picking up 42 total tackles, one tackle for loss, and three pass breakups in 15 games last season, Maye has proven again that he has plenty left in the tank, even if the turnover numbers were down. He would look great in a Bears uniform. One of the more disappointing outcomes during the draft was the Bears' inability to address the Edge rush position. They had opportunities to do that on day two, but wound up trading a few picks, which put them out of position to get some of the better Edge rush prospects. Two free agent linebackers remain on the market who would not only add to the linebacker depth but could also aid in the pass rush on the defensive side of the ball. Shaq Thompson is one name that comes to mind as his time with the Carolina Panthers has ended. With Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards as the lone returning starter at the linebacker position, the Bears are in a position to add another piece, and Thompson could be a fit on a short-term deal. One of the better linebackers over the past decade, Thompson has been slowed due to injuries over the last two years and has been limited to just 10 games. That included only four games in 2024, where he finished the season with 35 total tackles, two tackles for loss, and 1 QB hit. The total tackles stand out as he was well on his way to 100-plus tackles in 2024.
