The 2025 offseason was a pivotal one for the Chicago Bears-a turning point that could shape the franchise for years to come. From a bold coaching hire to aggressive moves in both the draft and free agency, the Bears didn’t just dip their toes into the rebuild waters-they cannonballed in.
Let’s start at the top: the hiring of Ben Johnson. That move alone sent a message that Chicago was ready to modernize its offense and build a system around its young quarterback, Caleb Williams.
But the front office didn’t stop there. The draft brought in promising young talent like Colston Loveland and Luther Burden, both of whom made early impressions that suggest they could be long-term contributors.
And then came free agency, where the Bears took some hefty swings-some connected, others didn’t.
Best Free Agent Addition: Drew Dalman
Of all the offseason moves, none may have had a more immediate and stabilizing effect than the addition of center Drew Dalman. For years, the Bears have struggled to find consistency at the center position. That changed in 2025.
Dalman didn’t just fill a hole-he elevated the offense. His presence up front gave Caleb Williams the kind of interior protection that allows a young quarterback to grow in confidence and rhythm. Dalman’s ability to diagnose defensive fronts, make line calls, and hold his ground against interior pressure gave the Bears’ offense a foundation it’s lacked for too long.
While other additions like Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson also bolstered the line, they came via trade. That makes Dalman the clear standout among pure free agent signings. His impact was felt immediately, and he played a central role in helping the offense find its identity under a new regime.
Worst Free Agent Addition: Grady Jarrett
On the other side of the coin, the signing of Grady Jarrett didn’t pan out the way the Bears had hoped. Jarrett, a veteran presence on the defensive line, was expected to bring leadership and disruption up front. Instead, his season was marred by injuries, and even before he went down, the production didn’t match the paycheck.
It’s worth noting that Jarrett’s struggles weren’t entirely within his control-injuries happen. But the concern is that he wasn’t making a significant impact even before he got hurt. That’s a tough pill to swallow for a team that invested heavily in his experience and pedigree.
The real issue now is what comes next. Jarrett’s contract puts the Bears in a bind heading into 2026.
Cutting ties would be costly, but keeping him on the books could limit their flexibility to pursue other defensive upgrades. It’s a classic case of a high-risk signing that didn’t deliver, and now the team is left hoping he can bounce back to form-despite no guarantees that he will.
Looking Ahead
The Bears’ 2025 offseason was full of ambition-and that’s not a bad thing. They swung big, and while not every move hit, the ones that did are already reshaping the team’s trajectory.
Drew Dalman looks like a foundational piece on the offensive line. Caleb Williams has a real chance to develop behind a much-improved front.
And Ben Johnson’s arrival signals a new era of offensive creativity in Chicago.
But the Jarrett signing is a reminder that not every gamble pays off. The Bears will need to manage that situation carefully if they want to keep building momentum. In the NFL, cap space is currency-and Jarrett’s deal could limit how much Chicago can spend to improve the roster elsewhere.
Still, if the Bears can build off the wins and learn from the misses, the 2025 offseason may ultimately be remembered as the moment this franchise finally turned the corner.