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Dallas Cowboys safety Donovan Wilson (6) prior to the game against the Atlanta Falcons at AT&T Stadium. Andrew Dieb-Imagn Images
The Chicago Bears kick off training camp in just a few weeks and will need to have a shortlist of free agents on stand by in case of emergency. Here are the players I would have on my list.
Training camp for the Chicago Bears will kick off in just a few weeks with rookies expected to report back on July 25 with veterans expected to be back on July 28. We’ve almost made it through the dog days of summer, folks.
While the players have been away from the team facilities for summer break, the front office and coaching staff remain hard at work throughout the week and one of the important tasks this time of year is working with the pro scouting staff to put together the “break glass in case of emergency” free agent list.
That list is to be used in case any player currently on the 91-man roster got hurt during training camp or potential upgrades based on what the staff saw during the spring. Let’s build our own board based on players we believe the Bears are keeping tabs on behind the scenes.
Building the free agent shortlist for the Chicago Bears ahead of training camp
OT: Taylor Decker
Head coach Ben Johnson was briefly in contact with veteran left tackle Taylor Decker following his release from the Detroit Lions, but more so in the sense of showing support for his former player than a recruitment call. It didn’t stop speculation that Decker could sign with the Bears in free agency.
Instead, Chicago re-signed Braxton Jones to a one-year deal and took another cheap flier on former first-round pick Jedrick Wills Jr. Going into training camp, Jones is expected to be the leader in the clubhouse for the left tackle job with Wills, Kiran Amegadjie, and Theo Benedet as options the team will also evaluate. The Bears also have Ozzy Trapilo under contract, who’s currently rehabbing from a patellar tendon injury and could be an option late in the regular season.
To me, that’s an adequate group. But, if another serious injury were to occur in camp with Jones or another left tackle option, Decker could come back in play if he’s on the market.
DE: Von Miller, Jadeveon Clowney, Leonard Floyd, or Marcus Davenport
These are the only four free agent pass rushers I would have on my shortlist. Joey Bosa appears to be done playing, while Haason Reddick and Za’Darius Smith are major headaches I wouldn’t even consider adding to the locker room.
Von Miller is the most intriguing of the four for the Bears, although I do think Jadeveon Clowney has some juice left in the tank as well. Leonard Floyd would be a cool reunion story and solid scheme-fit but he played a career-low 461 snaps in 2025. The last option I’d consider is Marcus Davenport, who’s dealt with serious injuries in the past but has familiarity with Dennis Allen and wouldn’t be called on to be a heavy usage player.
Ultimately, the Bears first want to see what they already have when the pads come on between Montez Sweat, Austin Booker, and Dayo Odeyingbo. Not to forget Shemar Turner, who was absent from the offseason program while still rehabbing from a torn ACL. If real progress isn’t shown from those players, one of these four could be signed. Or the Bears could try to make a big in-season swing for someone like Maxx Crosby or Josh Sweat.
S: Donovan Wilson or Ugo Amadi
Chicago’s safety room got completely gutted this offseason after the Bears parted ways with Kevin Byard III, Jaquan Brisker, and Jonathan Owens replacing them with Coby Bryant, Dillon Thieneman, and Cam Lewis. The Bears also have Elijah Hicks and UDFA rookie Skyler Thomas in the room as well. It’s also worth noting that Lewis left practice during OTAs with an undisclosed injury and was held out of minicamp, that will be something to watch to see if he’s back out there at camp.
Two players with coaching familiarity I would have on my shortlist at the position include Donovan Wilson (who started under Al Harris in Dallas) and Ugo Amadi (who started under Allen in New Orleans). They might not be starters, but they could both be valuable backups if needed.
LB: Brandon Smith, Amen Ogbongbemiga, or Jalen Reeves-Maybin
The Bears already shuffled around the linebacker room since summer break started when the team signed Tony Fields II and waived Dominque Hampton. Chicago also held a workout with former UFL standout Brandon Smith, who could be on the shortlist.
Two other players worth mentioning at linebacker are Amen Ogbongbemiga and Jalen Reeves-Maybin, who both played for the Bears in 2025. Ogbongbemiga was released in a salary dump move earlier this offseason while Reeves-Maybin was not brought back. If injuries strike at the position again, it’d be worth holding on to those two’s numbers.
CB: Reddy Steward*, Kenny Moore II, or Jalen Mills
This one is dependent on the status of Kyler Gordon, who missed the majority of the offseason program with a soft tissue injury. If Gordon continues to be sidelined when training camp opens, the Bears should consider some backup nickel options.
Reddy Steward is one I discussed more in depth last week, but is technically unavailable right now as he’s currently on the Dallas Cowboys roster. But, if he gets released during roster cuts, the Bears should consider making a reunion claim. Kenny Moore II is a top option many fans have wanted since being released by the Indianapolis Colts as one of the league’s top nickel defenders. Jalen Mills fits more of the C.J. Gardner-Johnson type role as a fiery competitor who would fit the role really well but has similar top-end speed concerns.
This article was originally published on A to Z Sports. Read the full story here: Building the Bears' break glass in case of emergency free agent shortlist before training camp begins
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