The Chicago Bears outshone almost all expectations in 2025; after winning the NFC North for the first time since 2018, Chicago beat arch-rivals, the Green Bay Packers in a second-half, 18-point comeback before taking the LA Rams to overtime in the Divisional Round matchup, losing 20-17.
The defense was much improved under the stewardship of veteran defensive coordinator and former Las Vegas Raiders head coach, Dennis Allen. And quarterback, Caleb Williams took more than a few steps forward in his sophomore year under offensive-minded head coach and play-caller, Ben Johnson.
However, one area that the team will look to add to – and one that remains a potential liability – is at left tackle.
The offensive line as a whole was much improved in 2025 after the additions of center, Drew Dalman and guards Jonah Jackson and Joe Thuney – both of whom were acquired via trade last offseason.
But the left tackle spot specifically remains an issue for the team, as current left tackle, Ozzy Trapilo – who impressed down the stretch this past season – will miss substantial time in 2026 with a ruptured patellar tendon.
Indeed, there are even doubts as to whether he will manage to return to his prior performance level after he returns to the field.
Free Agent Proposal Sends Packers OT to Chicago
So in this hypothetical scenario, the Bears make a move to sign Packers left tackle, Rasheed Walker, to a multi-year free-agent deal this offseason.
Walker is set to be a free agent come March, with there being no signs that Green Bay intends to re-up their former seventh round pick. Especially in light of 2024 first round offensive tackle, Jordan Morgan, waiting in the wings – along with the fact that Walker was recently arrested at LaGuardia airport on gun-related charges.
Indeed, the arrest could have the effect of lowering the demand for Walker – making him available on the open market at a more reasonable price than they may have otherwise gotten.
Does Rasheed Walker Make Sense For the Bears?
The former Penn State man has not had an elite, elite career with Green Bay since taking over as the starting left tackle early on in 2023, but he has been a serviceable player at the position. He managed to beat out Morgan for the starting role over the past two seasons, and obtained a solid 64.6 grade from Pro Football Focus in 2025.
Spotrac – the cap specialists/aggregators – project that Walker will get a deal in free agency upwards of $20 million per year. But in an age where free agency skepticism has gotten more widespread, particularly when paying just average-quality starters, it is not inconceivable that this could be an over-projection.
If the Bears could get Walker for something closer to $14-16 million per year, with only a small dead-cap penalty after two seasons, it would make a lot of sense to pull the trigger on a medium-long term deal.
The current Packer is easily the top left tackle prospect on the market, and Ben Johnson would no doubt find great joy in poaching one of his rivals former players at one of the most important positions in the game.
Bears Free Agent Proposal Lands Packers Starter