Free agency started fast for the Chicago Bears when they signed running back D'Andre Swift right out of the gate. It turns out that was merely a false start for fans. Chicago went radio silent after that, content to let other teams do the spending while they waited things out. It isn't clear what the next step in the plan is for GM Ryan Poles. Nobody believes the Bears are done spending. They have several roster holes to address and won't be filling them with only five draft picks.
The likelihood here is the team is waiting out the market to see if prices come down on certain players. Whatever the case, plenty of notable names are still available as the second day begins. Here are the ones who make the most sense for Chicago.
The Chicago Bears still have plenty of options available.
EDGE Danielle Hunter
It is a minor shock Hunter wasn't plucked almost immediately after the negotiating period opened. He is unquestionably one of the best pass rushers in the NFL, fresh off 16.5 sacks last season. It likely comes down to money with him. Hunter no doubt wants a top-of-the-league deal, which would mean somewhere around $30 million per year. The problem is he turns 30 in October. Teams might be reluctant to go that high. That said, the Bears have to love the idea of pairing him with Montez Sweat if they can find some wiggle room.
EDGE Chase Young
Sweat and Young played together for years in Washington, becoming a highly productive pass rush tandem. Young got traded to San Francisco last season and helped them reach the Super Bowl. While questionable as a run defender, he is a dynamic presence off the edge when his motor gets hot. If anybody can get the most out of him as a player, it is new defensive coordinator Eric Washington. He also won't cost nearly as much as Hunter, which might appeal more to Poles.
WR Calvin Ridley
People wondered if the former 1st round pick would rediscover his edge after missing so much time due to a suspension for gambling. Ridley responded with over 1,000 yards and eight touchdowns for Jacksonville. Despite some inconsistencies catching the ball, he remains an explosive threat in the passing game. Imagine what he and D.J. Moore could do on the field together at the same time. Figuring out Ridley's market has proven difficult, though. The wide receivers haven't gotten much action so far, largely because the 2024 draft is widely considered stacked at the position.
WR Curtis Samuel
You always note one thing about Samuel. He finds a way to be consistently productive despite playing on some bad football teams. He's had at least 600 yards in four of the past five seasons. His versatility in the running game is also an added bonus for the more creative-thinking coaches. Better still, he has ties to Moore. They were teammates together in Carolina. Samuel would be much cheaper than Ridley and is still only 27 years old. If the Chicago Bears wanted a quality #3 option, this is the one to go after.
C Connor Williams
He was one of the best centers in the NFL through the first half of last season, allowing only six pressures in 280 pass-blocking snaps. Sadly, Williams' season ended with a torn ACL. So, there is a medical issue to tangle with. It may take until into the season before he's ready, but the guy is a top-notch blocker at a position of need for the Bears. Ryan Bates could hold down the center spot until the time is right, and it likely won't cost much to sign him in the first place. This is a worthwhile gamble to take.
DT D.J. Reader
Don't be fooled by the lower sack numbers. Reader has been a consistent thorn in the sides of every offensive line he faces for the past three years. He's collected at least 30 pressures each season as an interior pass rusher over that time span and is also a solid run defender on top of that. Teammates and coaches love him. Justin Jones departed the Bears for Arizona, so they have a need for more help with their interior rotation. Reader is a productive veteran who would be great for the locker room.
TE Mike Gesicki
Cole Kmet remains the unquestioned starter for the Chicago Bears at tight end, but the depth behind him is once again in question. Robert Tonyan is a free agent and unlikely to return. Finding somebody who can be a credible weapon in the passing game should be a priority. Gesicki was a strong target in Miami a few years ago before New England failed to find a use for him in 2022 and 2023. He's big, athletic, and has a capable pair of hands. At 28 years old, he isn't over the hill either. This feels like the perfect #2 option.
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