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The Chicago Bears were quite active through the first week -- and the week before -- free agency, where they added some impact players to improve the roster under new head coach Ben Johnson.
That included the additions of guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson (via trade), center Drew Dalman, defensive tackle Grady Jarrett, defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo, tight end Durham Smythe and wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus, as well as some key re-signings of in-house free agents.
While there's still the second and third waves of free agency on the way, experts agree that Chicago is among the biggest winners in free agency.
Here's a collection of all of the grades for the Bears' signings through the first wave of free agency:
USA Today's Jacob Camenker: "Chicago's entire interior offensive line was set to hit free agency in 2025. The Bears used this opportunity to make wholesale changes up front after Caleb Williams was sacked a league-high 68 times last season. The Bears traded for veteran guards Jonah Jackson, who worked with new Bears head coach Ben Johnson while with the Lions, and Joe Thuney, who was an All-Pro in back-to-back seasons with the Chiefs. They capped off their changes by signing Drew Dalman – Pro Football Focus' fourth-graded center from 2024 – to a three-year deal worth up to $42 million. Add in Chicago's signings of Dayo Odeyingbo (three years, $48 million) and Grady Jarrett (three years, $43.5 million) to bolster the defensive front and the Bears got much better in the trenches. That should position them to improve upon their 5-12 record from last season."
Pro Football Focus: "Dalman earned a 78.8 PFF overall grade in 2024, ranking fifth among centers, and is now the second-highest-paid center in football. The 2021 fourth-round draft pick has earned a PFF overall grade above 65.0 in all three of his seasons as a starter and hit free agency at the perfect time to cash in. Jarrett is 32 years old now and coming off a career-low 62.1 PFF overall grade. At his peak, he was one of the best interior pass-rushers in football, but he hasn’t registered 50 or more pressures in a season since 2020. Odeyingbo has enjoyed a slow and steady ascent over the past couple of seasons, culminating in a career-high 66.1 PFF overall grade in 2024. The Bears are hoping that he can keep progressing opposite of Montez Sweat and show why he was a second-round pick in 2021."
CBS Sports: "The biggest needs for the Chicago Bears were to solidify the offensive line in front of Caleb Williams and add another pass rusher opposite Montez Sweat. Check and check! Chicago was proactive before the negotiating window opened, executing trades for guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson, who should both start. Then, they added the top center on the market in Drew Dalman. That should drastically improve an offensive line that surrendered 68 sacks a year ago. Meanwhile, Odeyingbo is just 25 years old and has tallied 16 sacks over the last three seasons."
Yahoo! Sports' Frank Schwab: "Including a couple trades, the Bears completely revamped their offensive line. They added some juice to the defensive line too."
Sporting News' Vinnie Iyer: "The Bears' No.1. priority for Year 2 of Caleb Williams under Ben Johnson was shoring up the offensive line for both improved pass protection and run blocking. Mission accomplished with three new fine interior starters. They also got some pop for their defensive front with Odeyingbo and Jarrett."
Pro Football Network: "The Chicago Bears had the third-lowest cash spending on their offensive line in 2024 at just over $14 million. Ryan Poles made absolutely sure the unit would not go neglected in 2025. The Bears will have an entirely new interior offensive line after trading for guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson and agreeing to sign center Drew Dalman on the first day of the negotiating period. The Bears’ interior line needed a revamp, so this should help both Caleb Williams and a run game that struggled mightily in 2024. The defensive additions were a little more questionable, with Grady Jarrett and Dayo Odeyingbo combining to receive $60.5 million in guaranteed money. That feels rich for a duo that combined for 5.5 sacks in 2024, with neither ever recording more than 8.0 sacks in a season. Still, the most important factor for the Bears in 2025 is ensuring that Williams and the offense take a step forward under Ben Johnson. With the offensive line upgrades, the Bears are an early winner, even if they had to pay handsomely for those players."
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears 2025 free agency: Experts hand out grades for Chicago
Continue reading...
That included the additions of guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson (via trade), center Drew Dalman, defensive tackle Grady Jarrett, defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo, tight end Durham Smythe and wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus, as well as some key re-signings of in-house free agents.
While there's still the second and third waves of free agency on the way, experts agree that Chicago is among the biggest winners in free agency.
Here's a collection of all of the grades for the Bears' signings through the first wave of free agency:
USA Today: A
USA Today's Jacob Camenker: "Chicago's entire interior offensive line was set to hit free agency in 2025. The Bears used this opportunity to make wholesale changes up front after Caleb Williams was sacked a league-high 68 times last season. The Bears traded for veteran guards Jonah Jackson, who worked with new Bears head coach Ben Johnson while with the Lions, and Joe Thuney, who was an All-Pro in back-to-back seasons with the Chiefs. They capped off their changes by signing Drew Dalman – Pro Football Focus' fourth-graded center from 2024 – to a three-year deal worth up to $42 million. Add in Chicago's signings of Dayo Odeyingbo (three years, $48 million) and Grady Jarrett (three years, $43.5 million) to bolster the defensive front and the Bears got much better in the trenches. That should position them to improve upon their 5-12 record from last season."
Pro Football Focus: A-
Pro Football Focus: "Dalman earned a 78.8 PFF overall grade in 2024, ranking fifth among centers, and is now the second-highest-paid center in football. The 2021 fourth-round draft pick has earned a PFF overall grade above 65.0 in all three of his seasons as a starter and hit free agency at the perfect time to cash in. Jarrett is 32 years old now and coming off a career-low 62.1 PFF overall grade. At his peak, he was one of the best interior pass-rushers in football, but he hasn’t registered 50 or more pressures in a season since 2020. Odeyingbo has enjoyed a slow and steady ascent over the past couple of seasons, culminating in a career-high 66.1 PFF overall grade in 2024. The Bears are hoping that he can keep progressing opposite of Montez Sweat and show why he was a second-round pick in 2021."
CBS Sports: A
CBS Sports: "The biggest needs for the Chicago Bears were to solidify the offensive line in front of Caleb Williams and add another pass rusher opposite Montez Sweat. Check and check! Chicago was proactive before the negotiating window opened, executing trades for guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson, who should both start. Then, they added the top center on the market in Drew Dalman. That should drastically improve an offensive line that surrendered 68 sacks a year ago. Meanwhile, Odeyingbo is just 25 years old and has tallied 16 sacks over the last three seasons."
Yahoo! Sports: A
Yahoo! Sports' Frank Schwab: "Including a couple trades, the Bears completely revamped their offensive line. They added some juice to the defensive line too."
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Sporting News: A
Sporting News' Vinnie Iyer: "The Bears' No.1. priority for Year 2 of Caleb Williams under Ben Johnson was shoring up the offensive line for both improved pass protection and run blocking. Mission accomplished with three new fine interior starters. They also got some pop for their defensive front with Odeyingbo and Jarrett."
Pro Football Network: B+
Pro Football Network: "The Chicago Bears had the third-lowest cash spending on their offensive line in 2024 at just over $14 million. Ryan Poles made absolutely sure the unit would not go neglected in 2025. The Bears will have an entirely new interior offensive line after trading for guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson and agreeing to sign center Drew Dalman on the first day of the negotiating period. The Bears’ interior line needed a revamp, so this should help both Caleb Williams and a run game that struggled mightily in 2024. The defensive additions were a little more questionable, with Grady Jarrett and Dayo Odeyingbo combining to receive $60.5 million in guaranteed money. That feels rich for a duo that combined for 5.5 sacks in 2024, with neither ever recording more than 8.0 sacks in a season. Still, the most important factor for the Bears in 2025 is ensuring that Williams and the offense take a step forward under Ben Johnson. With the offensive line upgrades, the Bears are an early winner, even if they had to pay handsomely for those players."
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears 2025 free agency: Experts hand out grades for Chicago
Continue reading...
