The Chicago Bears have been busy in free agency, making strategic moves to bolster their defense. They've added Devin Bush and Coby Bryant to the roster, which should inject some much-needed energy into their defensive unit for the 2026 season. However, not all their signings have been met with universal praise.
Take Neville Gallimore, for instance. The Bears handed him a two-year, $12 million contract, a move that raised some eyebrows, especially after the mixed results from last year’s addition of Grady Jarrett. Yet, the Indianapolis Colts might have inadvertently done the Bears a favor by taking the spotlight off Gallimore’s deal with their own controversial signing.
NFL Insider Jordan Schultz reported that the Colts have signed defensive lineman Michael Clemons to a three-year, $17.5 million contract, potentially rising to $18.5 million. For many, this seems like an overpayment, especially considering Clemons' track record with the Jets.
Clemons, who spent four seasons with the Jets, mostly served as a backup and struggled to make a significant impact. Over 65 games, including 24 starts, he recorded 119 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, and 8.5 sacks. As injuries opened up more playing time for him in 2024 and 2025, his performance didn’t exactly inspire confidence, according to Pro Football Focus.
Jets fans, judging by their reactions on social media, are not mourning his departure. The general sentiment is relief, which speaks volumes about Clemons' perceived value.
The Colts’ decision to offer Clemons such a substantial contract is puzzling, and it now stands as one of the more questionable deals for a defensive lineman this offseason. This, in turn, casts Gallimore’s contract with the Bears in a more favorable light. While Gallimore isn’t expected to be a starter, his numbers-147 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, and 7.5 sacks over 83 games-suggest he can contribute, particularly as an inside pass rusher.
Gallimore is coming off a career-high 3.5 sacks last season, but his run defense has consistently been a weak spot, with Pro Football Focus grading it at 54.6 or lower throughout his career. Despite this, the Bears valued him more than the market did, offering a deal higher than the one-year, $2.2 million projected by Spotrac.
Only time will reveal if the Bears made the right call with Gallimore, but in light of the Colts’ latest move, Chicago's decision doesn’t seem quite as questionable.