Each Chicago Bears 2025 mock offseason explores scenarios that make sense from a realistic standpoint. It explores what GM Ryan Poles and team president Kevin Warren might do to finally get this team over the hump. Given that they've endured multiple years of losing, it isn't ridiculous to imagine they will be more aggressive than usual to give this franchise a necessary shove toward relevance. They have their quarterback. It is time to take advantage of that rookie contract while they can.
This Chicago Bears 2025 mock offseason ups the aggressiveness.
Trades:
Bears send 2nd round pick in 2025 and 3rd round pick in 2026 for head coach Kevin Stefanski
It may not be Kyle Shanahan or Sean McVay, but the Bears wanted to land a proven coach who can get the most out of his quarterbacks. That is precisely what they did here. Stefanski is a two-time Coach of the Year, becoming the only one to make the playoffs twice for the Cleveland Browns since the franchise returned in 1999. He's also managed to produce respectable offenses despite constant chaos at the quarterback position. Stefanski also has connections to Kevin Warren from their time together in Minnesota.
Cuts:
- TE Gerald Everett - $5.5 million saved
- S Kevin Byard - $7 million saved
- DT Andrew Billings - $2.5 million saved
Re-signings:
- Keenan Allen - 2-year deal for $34 million
- Coleman Shelton - 1-year deal for $3 million
- Jack Sanborn - RFA tender for $3.185 million
- Josh Blackwell - RFA tender for $3.185 million
- Jaylon Jones - 1-year deal for $1.1 million
- Doug Kramer - 1-year deal for $1.1 million
- Bill Murray - ERFA tender for $840,000
- Chris Williams - ERFA tender for $960,000
- Daniel Hardy - ERFA tender for $960,000
- Jonathan Owens - 1-year deal for $1.255 million
- Jacob Martin - 1-year deal for $1.255 million
Free Agency:
- S Jevon Holland - 4-year deal for $68 million
- DT T.J. Slaton - 3-year deal for $30 million
- OG Zack Martin - 2-year deal for $30 million
- TE Austin Hooper - 1-year deal for $1.255 million
- WR Nick Westbrook-Ikhine - 1-year deal for $1.9 million
It might seem odd to focus this Bears 2025 mock offseason on a safety, but that position is suddenly in flux. Byard was in his 30s, and Jaquan Brisker, their presumed long-term stalwart, went on IR with alarming concussion issues. They need stability at the position. Holland is a Pro Bowl-caliber talent. Slaton is one of the better interior run defenders in the league, and the Bears can't be sure where Andrew Billings would've been as he approaches his 30s. Martin isn't in his prime anymore, but he's still a high-quality guard when healthy. He would provide temporary stability as the team works to reload their interior OL.
The Draft:
Trade: 11th pick to San Francisco for 14th pick, 3rd in 2025, and 4th in 2026
1st Round (via SF) - Nic Scourton, EDGE, Texas A&M
The lack of a second pass rusher has hurt the Bears too often this season. They need a young piece to pair with Montez Sweat. Scourton has the size, power, length, and athleticism made for their 4-3 alignment. He impacts games every week, consistently winning one-on-ones and reaching the backfield. Don't be fooled by his modest sack totals this year. Opponents have worked very hard to keep him in check.
Trade: 37th pick to Cleveland for 43rd pick, 4th in 2025, and 5th in 2025
2nd Round (via CLE) - Tyler Booker, OG, Alabama
This class may not be stacked with guard talent, but it's not devoid, either. Booker is a ready-made day one starter for whoever drafts him. He's not the best athlete, but he's good enough. Per usual with Alabama players, he has size, power, and good technique. The guy will start for somebody right away and be a reliable fixture for a long time. That is exactly what the Bears need.
3rd Round - Deone Walker, DT, Kentucky
This year was a disappointing one for Walker after he flashed dominant traits in 2023, racking up 7.5 sacks. That said, his talent never went away. He has the big body, quickness, power, and aggressive mindset to be that one-gap penetrator who can wreck game plans.
3rd Round (via SF) - Donovan Jackson, OG, Ohio State
Where Booker is the more high-floor guy, Jackson is the high ceiling. He's big, athletic, and an absolute menace as a blocker when his technique is right. Getting him into a more polished state will be the goal for whoever drafts him. He's plenty smart enough to handle the work necessary.
4th Round (via CLE) - Jonah Monheim, C, USC
Coleman Shelton may hold the center job for now, but there is no way this Bears 2025 mock offseason could go without an investment there. Monheim is a big mobile blocker that needed seasoning. He's shown considerable improvement in his technique, and he also has ties to Caleb Williams.
5th Round - Devin Neal, RB, Kansas
A well-rounded prospect with great vision, contact balance, and acceleration to find holes. He has been consistently productive for three years, carrying the Kansas offense on his back. His footwork and patience allow him to find space where others might not.
6th Round (via PIT) - Luke Lachey, TE, Iowa
It's never bad betting on Iowa tight ends. George Kittle and Sam LaPorta prove that. Like those two, he's been masked by the program's inability to build a modern passing attack. Still, Lachey has the size, athleticism, and route-running prowess to evolve into a viable weapon for whoever drafts him.
7th Round (via CIN) - Smael Mondon, LB, Georgia
If you're looking for the ideal prototype, you found it. Mondon is 6'3 "and has excellent versatility and sideline-to-sideline range. The problem is that he's raw in several areas, needs more polish, and hasn't yet developed high-end instincts for his position.
