Bears Retain Key Backups Ahead of Free Agency

GM Ryan Poles secures two-year deals for special teams ace Daniel Hardy and linebacker D'Marco Jackson.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles worked quickly to re-sign two key role players ahead of the start of NFL free agency. The team agreed to two-year deals with edge rusher and special teams standout Daniel Hardy, as well as linebacker D'Marco Jackson, who started four games last season when Tremaine Edmunds was injured.

Why it matters

Retaining Hardy and Jackson provides stability on the Bears' roster as they look to build on their playoff appearance last season. Both players proved their value in 2025, and keeping them in the fold will help the team maintain continuity on defense and special teams.

The details

Hardy's two-year contract is worth up to $6 million and keeps one of the Bears' best special teams contributors in the fold. Jackson's deal is worth up to $10.5 million over two years and gives the team an experienced backup option at linebacker after the release of Edmunds last week.

  • On March 8, 2026, the Bears agreed to a two-year contract with Daniel Hardy.
  • Also on March 8, 2026, the team signed linebacker D'Marco Jackson to a two-year deal.

The players

Ryan Poles

The general manager of the Chicago Bears, tasked with improving the roster through free agency and the draft.

Daniel Hardy

An edge rusher and special teams standout for the Bears, who agreed to a two-year, $6 million contract to remain in Chicago.

D'Marco Jackson

A linebacker who started four games for the Bears in 2025 when Tremaine Edmunds was injured, signing a two-year, $10.5 million deal to stay with the team.

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What they’re saying

“A former 7th-round pick, Hardy had over 20 special teams tackles this past season and was selected as a Pro Bowl alternate.”

— Jordan Schultz, NFL Insider (Twitter)

What’s next

The Bears will continue to work on retaining other key free agents, including safety Kevin Byard, linebacker Jonathan Owens, and tight end Durham Smythe, ahead of the start of the new league year.

The takeaway

By quickly re-signing Hardy and Jackson, the Bears have secured two valuable role players who will help maintain continuity on their roster as they look to build on last season's playoff appearance. This pragmatic approach to free agency aligns with GM Ryan Poles' stated focus on developing young talent and finding cost-effective solutions to fill out the roster.