The Chicago Bears are making waves early in the NFL free agency, and it's coming at the expense of their division rivals, the Detroit Lions. The Bears kicked things off by signing former Lions wide receiver and return specialist Kalif Raymond to a one-year deal, a move that has certainly left a dent in Detroit’s special teams.
But that was just the beginning. On Wednesday, the Bears pulled off another coup by signing offensive lineman Jedrick Wills to a one-year contract.
Wills had been on the Lions' radar, visiting them just last week, and his addition could have been a solution to Detroit's left tackle conundrum. Instead, it's the Bears who are reaping the benefits, leaving the Lions to ponder their next move.
The situation for Detroit worsened on Thursday when veteran pass rusher Al-Quadin Muhammad inked a one-year deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Muhammad’s contract could be worth up to $6 million. It's a deal the Lions might have matched, but now it's a missed opportunity that leaves the Bears’ offensive line breathing a sigh of relief.
Muhammad, who once donned a Bears uniform, was a force in his second season with Detroit, notching a career-high 11 sacks along with 26 quarterback pressures, 20 hits, and nine tackles for loss. His performance was particularly notable in Week 2 against the Bears, where he recorded his first sack of the season in a dominant 52-21 victory for the Lions.
With Muhammad now out of the picture, Bears offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and his team can focus their efforts on neutralizing Aidan Hutchinson, the Lions' standout pass rusher. Hutchinson’s prowess is well-known, and without Muhammad, the Bears might opt to double-team him, daring the rest of Detroit's defensive line to step up.
Currently, the Lions’ depth chart features Tyler Lacy and Ahmed Hassanein as potential threats. However, Lacy has only one career sack over three seasons, and Hassanein is still awaiting his NFL debut. While both players have earned their spots in the league, they don't strike the same level of fear as Muhammad once did.
Looking ahead, the Bears have to be feeling optimistic about their chances against the Lions in 2026. With Muhammad and linebacker Alex Anzalone both heading to Tampa Bay, Chicago's path to division success seems a little clearer.