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The 2025 NFL draft is in the books, where the Chicago Bears welcomed eight new rookies to the roster under first-year head coach Ben Johnson.
That started with the selection of tight end Colston Loveland with the 10th overall pick, as well as wide receiver Luther Burden III, offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo and defensive tackle Shemar Turner in the second round. They also added some potential late-round gems in linebacker Ruben Hyppolite II, cornerback Zah Frazier, guard Luke Newman and running back Kyle Monangai.
The Bears are poised to be a much-improved team in 2025, which includes a loaded offense and talented defense with new names calling the shots in Johnson and Dennis Allen. Expectations are high, especially with Williams entering his second seasons and the continued dedication to surround him with talent.
Before the 2025 season gets underway, we're taking an early look at the 42 Bears players slated to hit free agency in 2026, where Poles has some important decisions to make.
Jaquan Brisker has been an impact contributor for this Bears defense since his rookie season, where he's brought physicality and a violent mentality to the field. Unfortunately, Brisker has yet to play a full season as he's dealt with injuries -- namely concussions, as he's had three in as many seasons. Brisker's draft mate Kyler Gordon earned a long-term extension this offseason, but Brisker has more to prove this season as it comes to staying healthy for an entire season. If Brisker can thrive in this Dennis Allen defense with his physicality while managing to stay healthy, it wouldn't be a surprise to see the Bears make a move to keep Brisker in Chicago.
The Bears made a splash in trading for All-Pro guard Joe Thuney in an effort to fortify the interior offensive line, sending a 2026 fourth-round pick to the Kansas City Chiefs. With Thuney in the final year of his current deal, it's almost an expectation that Chicago will sign him to an extension after giving up valuable draft capital. General manager Ryan Poles said signing Thuney to a contract extension remains a priority, so the expectation is he'll be back for at least two years, which would put him on the same timeline as fellow linemen Jonah Jackson and Drew Dalman.
Kevin Byard proved to be a vital addition to the Bears defense last season, where he was one of their better players and stepped up when Jaquan Brisker missed most of the season with a concussion. Byard also started every game in 2024, which was huge for this defense. But outside of his production was his impact as a whole, as Byard served as a veteran leader in a relatively young secondary. But with Byard entering the final year of his deal, the question is whether Chicago opts to bring back the 31-year-old on another two-year deal, or if the Bears need to be looking for his replacement in free agency or the NFL draft.
Andrew Billings has been one of Ryan Poles' best free-agent signings as evidenced by his impact on the Bears' defensive line -- both when on the field and off. He's helped elevate Chicago's run defense and free up pass rush opportunities for other players. Unfortunately, Billings suffered a torn pectoral muscle in Week 9, and the defense just wasn't the same. With the additions of Grady Jarrett and Shemar Turner along the defensive interior this offseason, it's fair to wonder if this might be Billings' final year with the Bears.
Where things currently stand, Braxton Jones is projected to be the starting left tackle for the Bears in 2025. This after Chicago didn't land a top offensive tackle in the first round, although the addition of Ozzy Trapilo in the second round will certainly make things interesting in a competition featuring Jones, Trapilo and last year's third-rounder Kiran Amegadjie. Jones is entering the final year of his rookie deal, but he's also coming off a fractured fibula that will have him limited to start training camp. But barring a big development from Amegadjie or Trapilo, this feels like Jones' opportunity to prove himself in a contract year where Chicago will likely be eyeing left tackles in next year's draft.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Chicago Bears players slated to become free agents in 2026
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That started with the selection of tight end Colston Loveland with the 10th overall pick, as well as wide receiver Luther Burden III, offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo and defensive tackle Shemar Turner in the second round. They also added some potential late-round gems in linebacker Ruben Hyppolite II, cornerback Zah Frazier, guard Luke Newman and running back Kyle Monangai.
The Bears are poised to be a much-improved team in 2025, which includes a loaded offense and talented defense with new names calling the shots in Johnson and Dennis Allen. Expectations are high, especially with Williams entering his second seasons and the continued dedication to surround him with talent.
Before the 2025 season gets underway, we're taking an early look at the 42 Bears players slated to hit free agency in 2026, where Poles has some important decisions to make.
S Jaquan Brisker
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Jaquan Brisker has been an impact contributor for this Bears defense since his rookie season, where he's brought physicality and a violent mentality to the field. Unfortunately, Brisker has yet to play a full season as he's dealt with injuries -- namely concussions, as he's had three in as many seasons. Brisker's draft mate Kyler Gordon earned a long-term extension this offseason, but Brisker has more to prove this season as it comes to staying healthy for an entire season. If Brisker can thrive in this Dennis Allen defense with his physicality while managing to stay healthy, it wouldn't be a surprise to see the Bears make a move to keep Brisker in Chicago.
OG Joe Thuney
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The Bears made a splash in trading for All-Pro guard Joe Thuney in an effort to fortify the interior offensive line, sending a 2026 fourth-round pick to the Kansas City Chiefs. With Thuney in the final year of his current deal, it's almost an expectation that Chicago will sign him to an extension after giving up valuable draft capital. General manager Ryan Poles said signing Thuney to a contract extension remains a priority, so the expectation is he'll be back for at least two years, which would put him on the same timeline as fellow linemen Jonah Jackson and Drew Dalman.
S Kevin Byard
Kevin Byard proved to be a vital addition to the Bears defense last season, where he was one of their better players and stepped up when Jaquan Brisker missed most of the season with a concussion. Byard also started every game in 2024, which was huge for this defense. But outside of his production was his impact as a whole, as Byard served as a veteran leader in a relatively young secondary. But with Byard entering the final year of his deal, the question is whether Chicago opts to bring back the 31-year-old on another two-year deal, or if the Bears need to be looking for his replacement in free agency or the NFL draft.
DT Andrew Billings
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Andrew Billings has been one of Ryan Poles' best free-agent signings as evidenced by his impact on the Bears' defensive line -- both when on the field and off. He's helped elevate Chicago's run defense and free up pass rush opportunities for other players. Unfortunately, Billings suffered a torn pectoral muscle in Week 9, and the defense just wasn't the same. With the additions of Grady Jarrett and Shemar Turner along the defensive interior this offseason, it's fair to wonder if this might be Billings' final year with the Bears.
LT Braxton Jones
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Where things currently stand, Braxton Jones is projected to be the starting left tackle for the Bears in 2025. This after Chicago didn't land a top offensive tackle in the first round, although the addition of Ozzy Trapilo in the second round will certainly make things interesting in a competition featuring Jones, Trapilo and last year's third-rounder Kiran Amegadjie. Jones is entering the final year of his rookie deal, but he's also coming off a fractured fibula that will have him limited to start training camp. But barring a big development from Amegadjie or Trapilo, this feels like Jones' opportunity to prove himself in a contract year where Chicago will likely be eyeing left tackles in next year's draft.
Other Bears 2026 free agents
- OL Ryan Bates
- DT Chris Williams
- TE Durham Smythe
- QB Case Keenum
- S Jonathan Owens
- RB Travis Homer
- WR Olamide Zaccheaus
- LS Scott Daly
- WR Devin Duvernay
- CB Nick McCloud
- WR Miles Boykin
- RT Joshua Miles
- S Tarvarius Moore
- CB Nashon Wright
- CB Shaun Wade
- OL Doug Kramer
- WR Maurice Alexander
- DT Jonathan Ford
- EDGE Daniel Hardy
- CB Ameer Speed
- OL Chris Glaser
- TE Stephen Carlson
- WR Samori Toure
- OL Bill Murray
- EDGE Dominique Robinson
- LB Swayze Bozeman
- OL Ricky Stromberg
- S Alex Cook
- EDGE Jamree Kromah
- S Elijah Hicks
- QB Tyson Bagent
- QB Austin Reed
- EDGE Carl Jones Jr.
- TE Jordan Murray
- TE Joel Wilson
- OL Theo Benedet
- WR John Jackson
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Chicago Bears players slated to become free agents in 2026
Continue reading...
