5 NFL Roster Bubble Players The Chicago Bears Could Go After

The Chicago Bears are not a complete team. Anybody with common sense knows this. They have flaws. The goal is to work around them as best they can. GM Ryan Poles usually does a good job of scouring the waiver wire and trade market this time of year, looking for quality depth. While not big moves should be expected, it isn't crazy to think the Bears will make one or two moves to shore up weaker areas of the depth chart. Here are five names that could be available over the next couple of days that make sense for them.

The Chicago Bears may have some interesting options to consider soon.

RB Jaleel McLaughlin

The Denver Broncos are suddenly crowded at running back with the arrivals of RJ Harvey and JK Dobbins. That leaves McLaughlin in a precarious spot after two productive seasons in which he had over 570 yards and three touchdowns. He gets knocked for his smaller size, but the running back has averaged a healthy 4.8 yards per carry in his young career. Chicago may offer him more opportunities than Denver can this year.

EDGE Azeez Ojulari

Philadelphia has a logjam at outside linebacker. Ojulari, a former 2nd round pick, seemed like a fair bet to make the roster anyway. However, three guys are positioned ahead of him by a comfortable margin. That means he's battling everyone else for the last spot, and he doesn't bring much value to special teams. Ojulari doesn't have the size Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen usually prefers, but he can be good for around 6-7 sacks if given a regular rotational role.

EDGE Yetur Gross-Matos

Drafting Mykel Williams in the 1st round and trading for Bryce Huff suddenly made the depth chart crowded at defensive end. San Francisco may not wish to pay their #4 guy over $7 million. Releasing him in favor of a cheaper option makes sense. Gross-Matos was productive last season, notching four sacks in 11 games. He has the size and power Allen likes. The primary issue for him has been health. He's missed games in all but one of his five previous NFL seasons.

CB Beanie Bishop

One of the surprises of 2024. Bishop was an undrafted rookie who emerged as a regular member of the Steelers' secondary, collecting four interceptions. Unfortunately for him, Pittsburgh made several big additions at cornerback, headlined by Darius Slay and Jalen Ramsey. Chicago is banged up at cornerback and they could use somebody with ballhawking skills.

S Kyle Dugger

Allen isn't afraid to go heavy at safety with certain formations. He proved that in New Orleans. Adding another starting-caliber guy alongside Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker makes sense, especially given the latter's health track record. Dugger was a good player for New England between 2021 and 2023, showcasing versatility in coverage and along the line of scrimmage. His contract is pricey, which is why a trade is challenging. Still, he can greatly help this defense, particularly against the run.