Kiran Amegadjie Faces Make-or-Break Offseason with Bears
As the Chicago Bears turn the page toward 2026, the offensive line is once again under the microscope - and for good reason. After a season of shifting pieces and patchwork solutions, the front office has some tough calls to make.
One of the biggest questions? Whether Kiran Amegadjie still fits into the picture.
The former third-round pick out of Yale hasn’t had the smoothest ride since arriving in Chicago. Now entering his third season, Amegadjie is in a spot where potential alone won’t be enough to keep him around. With a new coaching staff in place and a roster full of young linemen vying for snaps, the 23-year-old tackle is officially on the clock.
A Slow Start and a Slower Climb
Amegadjie’s NFL journey hasn’t exactly hit the ground running. After appearing in six games as a rookie, he didn’t see the field in 2025 - sidelined by an elbow injury that landed him on injured reserve.
Before that, he was already slipping down the depth chart. Even in the preseason, he was taking reps with the third team and eventually shifted to right tackle, a move that didn’t exactly spark a breakout.
The Bears kept him on the 53-man roster largely due to GM Ryan Poles’ vision that Amegadjie might have some versatility - possibly even a future at guard. But that experiment never got off the ground, and now, with a new coaching regime led by Ben Johnson, the clock is ticking louder than ever.
No More Free Passes
Here’s the reality: Johnson didn’t draft Amegadjie. That means there’s no built-in loyalty or reason to keep investing time in a player who hasn’t delivered. And with promising young linemen like Theo Benedet emerging, the competition is only getting stiffer.
Benedet, an undrafted free agent out of Canada, stepped into the starting lineup by Week 4, replacing a struggling Braxton Jones. While Benedet still has a lot of room to grow - especially in pass protection, where he earned a 54.9 grade from Pro Football Focus - he flashed enough potential to earn a longer look. For a rookie with no draft pedigree, that’s no small feat.
A Path Through the Interior?
If there’s a path forward for Amegadjie in Chicago, it might be on the interior. The Bears are thin at guard behind their starters, and that could open the door just enough for Amegadjie to squeeze through - if he can show something in camp.
Right now, the backup guard spots belong to rookie Luke Newman and Jordan McFadden. Newman saw action in nine games this season, while McFadden spent most of the year on the practice squad before making his first start in the playoffs against the Rams. McFadden didn’t light it up in the run game (57.9 PFF grade), but he held his own in pass protection with a solid 75.7 mark.
McFadden is a restricted free agent this offseason, but the expectation is that he’ll be back to compete for a role. That only adds another layer of pressure for Amegadjie, who’ll need to make a strong impression - and fast.
The Final Shot?
Let’s call it what it is: this offseason is likely Amegadjie’s last real chance to stick in Chicago. The Bears have given him time, and injuries have certainly played a part in his slow development. But the NFL is a results-driven league, and patience only lasts so long.
If Amegadjie can stay healthy, show growth, and prove he can contribute - whether at tackle or guard - he might force the Bears into a tough decision. But if he falters again, Chicago won’t hesitate to move on. There’s too much at stake, and too many young linemen hungry for a shot.
The ball’s in Amegadjie’s court. Now it’s up to him to make it count.