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The Chicago Bears are in the midst of a crucial 2025 offseason that's included some big moves, including the hiring of new head coach Ben Johnson and some trades to help bolster the interior offensive line.
The Bears made a splash during free agency, which kicked off with the trades for guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson and carried over into free agency with the additions of center Drew Dalman, defensive tackle Grady Jarrett, defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo, wide receivers Olamide Zaccheaus and Devin Duvernay and tight end Durham Smythe.
Following the first wave of free agency, we're doing our best to predict what the Bears offense could look like heading into the 2025 season, and it appears all but set at this point (barring a move at running back or upgrade at left tackle in the NFL draft).
Caleb Williams' rookie season was far from ideal, as he led a team to a 5-12 record amid a 10-game losing streak, as well as dealt with two head coaches and three different offensive coordinators. But Williams still managed to impress and break franchise and NFL rookie records along the way. Now, heading into Year 2, with the addition of Johnson at head coach, the sky's the limit for the former No. 1 overall pick.
The Bears signed D'Andre Swift to a three-year, $24 million contract last offseason to serve as the team's lead back. While Swift's first season wasn't a disappointment, it wasn't a success either. With Johnson's arrival, there's a high likelihood that Chicago will look to add to that room, most likely in the NFL draft with this deep class of running backs. For now, Swift is penciled in as the starter, but that could change heading into the draft.
DJ Moore remains the undisputed No. 1 wideout with the Bears, and he earned a four-year, $110 million extension before the start of the 2024 season. Last year was an underwhelming one for Moore, but he still had a career-high 98 receptions for 966 yards (leading the team) and six touchdowns. With a full offseason to continue to build chemistry with Williams, and the addition of Johnson, that connection will continue to flourish and Moore should be eyeing another 1,000-yard season.
The Bears drafted Rome Odunze with the ninth overall pick in last year's draft, pairing him with Williams, and they both have a bright future. Despite being relegated to the WR3 role behind Moore and Keenan Allen, Odunze still thrived with 54 receptions for 734 yards and three touchdowns while showing he has the potential to be a top wideout. With Keenan Allen expected to depart in free agency, Odunze will see an expanded role. And, with Johnson leading the offense, he'll be able to unlock Odunze's full potential.
Cole Kmet has been one of the most reliable players on offense, as evidenced by his four-year, $50 million extension in 2023, but he had his worst season since his rookie year. Kmet had 47 receptions for 474 yards and four touchdowns, but it wasn't all Kmet's fault. He had a career-high 85.5 catch percentage, but he was used more as a blocker for a struggling offensive line. Now, with Johnson calling the shots, expect Kmet to make a comeback and establish himself as one of Williams' favorite targets.
This is the only real question mark for the starting offensive line at this point. While Braxton Jones has been the starting left tackle since he was drafted in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL draft, there are several things working against him. He's not necessity the long-term answer at left tackle, and he's also coming off a broken fibula. Right now, Jones gets the starting nod at left tackle, but that could certainly change in the NFL draft as Chicago is sitting with the 10th overall pick.
The Bears have found their left guard in Joe Thuney, a two-time First-Team All-Pro, three-time Pro Bowler and four-time Super Bowl winner. Thuney is one of the best guards in the entire NFL, and his presence will shore up the interior of Chicago's offensive line. Thuney is an elite pass blocker, and he's been the best pass-blocking guard, per Pro Football Focus, since 2021 with a 90.2 grade.
The Bears didn't wait long to make a push for free-agent center Drew Dalman, who agreed to terms with the team within the first couple of hours of free agency's negotiation period. He signed a three-year, $42 million deal that makes him the second-highest paid center in the NFL. Last season, Dalman was a top-five center, per Pro Football Focus, and he completes the overhaul of the interior offensive line.
It certainly appeared that Jonah Jackson was in line to start at left guard until Chicago traded for All-Pro Joe Thuney, so Jackson slots into the right guard spot. Jackson, a Pro Bowl selection in 2021, is a versatile offensive lineman who has played all three positions along the interior. The Bears signed Jackson to a one-year extension that keeps him in Chicago through 2027.
Former first-round pick Darnell Wright is a rising star at right tackle, and he's coming off an impressive second season with Chicago. He was a lone bright spot along an offensive line that allowed a league-high 68 sacks. Wright was the fifth-highest graded right tackle, per Pro Football Focus, at 79.3 -- and that was on one of the NFL's worst offensive lines. His future is bright with this new-look offensive line group.
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Predicting the Chicago Bears' 2025 starting offense after free agency
Continue reading...
The Bears made a splash during free agency, which kicked off with the trades for guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson and carried over into free agency with the additions of center Drew Dalman, defensive tackle Grady Jarrett, defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo, wide receivers Olamide Zaccheaus and Devin Duvernay and tight end Durham Smythe.
Following the first wave of free agency, we're doing our best to predict what the Bears offense could look like heading into the 2025 season, and it appears all but set at this point (barring a move at running back or upgrade at left tackle in the NFL draft).
QB Caleb Williams
Caleb Williams' rookie season was far from ideal, as he led a team to a 5-12 record amid a 10-game losing streak, as well as dealt with two head coaches and three different offensive coordinators. But Williams still managed to impress and break franchise and NFL rookie records along the way. Now, heading into Year 2, with the addition of Johnson at head coach, the sky's the limit for the former No. 1 overall pick.
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RB D'Andre Swift
The Bears signed D'Andre Swift to a three-year, $24 million contract last offseason to serve as the team's lead back. While Swift's first season wasn't a disappointment, it wasn't a success either. With Johnson's arrival, there's a high likelihood that Chicago will look to add to that room, most likely in the NFL draft with this deep class of running backs. For now, Swift is penciled in as the starter, but that could change heading into the draft.
WR DJ Moore
DJ Moore remains the undisputed No. 1 wideout with the Bears, and he earned a four-year, $110 million extension before the start of the 2024 season. Last year was an underwhelming one for Moore, but he still had a career-high 98 receptions for 966 yards (leading the team) and six touchdowns. With a full offseason to continue to build chemistry with Williams, and the addition of Johnson, that connection will continue to flourish and Moore should be eyeing another 1,000-yard season.
WR Rome Odunze
The Bears drafted Rome Odunze with the ninth overall pick in last year's draft, pairing him with Williams, and they both have a bright future. Despite being relegated to the WR3 role behind Moore and Keenan Allen, Odunze still thrived with 54 receptions for 734 yards and three touchdowns while showing he has the potential to be a top wideout. With Keenan Allen expected to depart in free agency, Odunze will see an expanded role. And, with Johnson leading the offense, he'll be able to unlock Odunze's full potential.
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TE Cole Kmet
Cole Kmet has been one of the most reliable players on offense, as evidenced by his four-year, $50 million extension in 2023, but he had his worst season since his rookie year. Kmet had 47 receptions for 474 yards and four touchdowns, but it wasn't all Kmet's fault. He had a career-high 85.5 catch percentage, but he was used more as a blocker for a struggling offensive line. Now, with Johnson calling the shots, expect Kmet to make a comeback and establish himself as one of Williams' favorite targets.
LT Braxton Jones
This is the only real question mark for the starting offensive line at this point. While Braxton Jones has been the starting left tackle since he was drafted in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL draft, there are several things working against him. He's not necessity the long-term answer at left tackle, and he's also coming off a broken fibula. Right now, Jones gets the starting nod at left tackle, but that could certainly change in the NFL draft as Chicago is sitting with the 10th overall pick.
LG Joe Thuney
The Bears have found their left guard in Joe Thuney, a two-time First-Team All-Pro, three-time Pro Bowler and four-time Super Bowl winner. Thuney is one of the best guards in the entire NFL, and his presence will shore up the interior of Chicago's offensive line. Thuney is an elite pass blocker, and he's been the best pass-blocking guard, per Pro Football Focus, since 2021 with a 90.2 grade.
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C Drew Dalman
The Bears didn't wait long to make a push for free-agent center Drew Dalman, who agreed to terms with the team within the first couple of hours of free agency's negotiation period. He signed a three-year, $42 million deal that makes him the second-highest paid center in the NFL. Last season, Dalman was a top-five center, per Pro Football Focus, and he completes the overhaul of the interior offensive line.
RG Jonah Jackson
It certainly appeared that Jonah Jackson was in line to start at left guard until Chicago traded for All-Pro Joe Thuney, so Jackson slots into the right guard spot. Jackson, a Pro Bowl selection in 2021, is a versatile offensive lineman who has played all three positions along the interior. The Bears signed Jackson to a one-year extension that keeps him in Chicago through 2027.
RT Darnell Wright
Former first-round pick Darnell Wright is a rising star at right tackle, and he's coming off an impressive second season with Chicago. He was a lone bright spot along an offensive line that allowed a league-high 68 sacks. Wright was the fifth-highest graded right tackle, per Pro Football Focus, at 79.3 -- and that was on one of the NFL's worst offensive lines. His future is bright with this new-look offensive line group.
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Predicting the Chicago Bears' 2025 starting offense after free agency
Continue reading...
