The Chicago Bears didn’t make the biggest splash in free agency. But they didn’t fall behind either.
That middle ground showed up clearly in Ben Solak’s latest rankings, where he placed Chicago 14th among the NFL’s most improved teams following the 2026 free agency cycle.
Solak’s evaluation focused on overall value, roster flexibility, and how teams handled both additions and departures. For the Bears, the takeaway was pretty straightforward. They made solid moves, but nothing that really moved the needle.
The signing of Coby Bryant did stand out for Solak.
“The Bears needed a starter at safety, a new culture-setter and leader, and Bryant was one of my favorite free agents of the cycle,” Solak wrote. “He’s highly versatile, has explosive stopping power as a tackler and shows great on-field instincts.”
“It was definitely a long time coming. I wasn’t able to get with him in the summer. After practices, really starting Week 4, we hit every route we needed to
That praise highlights what Chicago did well. But the ranking itself reflects the bigger picture.
Coby Bryant Headlines Bears’ Defensive Reset
If there’s one move that defines Chicago’s offseason, it’s the addition of Coby Bryant.
The Bears’ secondary was hit hard this cycle. Key contributors like Kevin Byard, Jaquan Brisker, and C.J. Gardner-Johnson all departed, leaving behind a massive void in both production and leadership.
Bryant steps directly into that gap.
Solak emphasized his versatility and physical presence, traits that should translate well under defensive coordinator Dennis Allen. More importantly, Bryant gives Chicago a stabilizing piece in a unit that suddenly needed one.
This wasn’t about adding star power. It was about preventing a major drop-off at an important position.
Along with additions like Devin Bush and Neville Gallimore, the Bears focused on reinforcing depth and maintaining structure on defense rather than fully rebuilding it.
That approach helped keep the unit competitive, even if it didn’t dramatically raise the ceiling.
Offensive Line Concerns Keep Bears in Middle Tier
Where Solak pushed back was up front.
Chicago’s offensive line wasn’t supposed to be a major question mark entering the offseason. But a combination of injuries and unexpected changes quickly altered that plan.
“The Bears were put in a tricky spot by a brutal patellar injury to left tackle Ozzy Trapilo and then a surprise retirement from center Drew Dalman,” Solak wrote.
The response was adding Garrett Bradbury and bringing back Braxton Jones, but neither move fully solves the issue.
Bradbury provides experience, but his pass protection struggles are well documented. Jones offers stability at left tackle, but he is more of a short-term option than a long-term answer.
The offensive line was a major strength for the Bears in 2025, as they ranked third in the NFL according to PFF.
Losing Dalman unexpectedly shifted the entire dynamic of the Bears’ offseason. Instead of chasing a bigger move, they had to refocus on a position they thought was already settled.
That’s ultimately the biggest reason why the Bears landed at No. 14 on Solak’s most improved roster list.
Ryan Poles and the Bears replaced key losses, added value, and maintained flexibility. However, they never made the big move many had hoped for.
Now, the focus shifts to the draft, where Chicago has its best chance to turn a solid offseason into a complete one.
Bears Given Honest Ranking in Latest ESPN Offseason List