Bears Face Questions After Free Agent Exodus

Chicago needs to address holes on defense and offensive line after losing key starters in free agency.

Mar. 15, 2026 at 10:09am

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The Chicago Bears were active in free agency, making several moves including trading WR DJ Moore and releasing LB Tremaine Edmunds. However, they also lost a number of starters, especially on defense, creating several holes on their roster. The Bears now have questions to answer at edge rusher, in the secondary, and on the offensive line as they head into the draft.

Why it matters

The Bears are trying to build a contending team around QB Justin Fields, but the loss of so many starters on both sides of the ball creates significant challenges. They'll need to address these needs through the draft and free agency to field a competitive team in 2026.

The details

The Bears lost several key defensive starters in free agency, including LB Tremaine Edmunds, S C.J. Gardner-Johnson, S Kevin Byard III, S Jaquan Brisker, and CB Nahshon Wright. They also have questions at edge rusher after failing to land a top free agent. On offense, the Bears will have a competition at left tackle between Jedrick Wills Jr. and Braxton Jones.

  • On Thursday, Bears GM Ryan Poles confirmed the team was involved in trade talks for Raiders DE Maxx Crosby.
  • The Bears have the 25th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

The players

Ryan Poles

The general manager of the Chicago Bears.

Tremaine Edmunds

A linebacker who led the Bears in tackles in 2025 before leaving in free agency.

Jedrick Wills Jr.

An offensive tackle the Bears signed to compete for the starting left tackle job after he missed the 2025 season with a knee injury.

Braxton Jones

An offensive tackle who re-signed with the Bears on a one-year, $10 million deal and will compete for the starting left tackle job.

Maxx Crosby

A five-time Pro Bowl defensive end for the Las Vegas Raiders who the Bears were interested in trading for.

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What they’re saying

“We want to sustain success. We talk about that a lot. In order to do that, we have to be very calculated with the moves we make.”

— Ryan Poles, Bears General Manager (abc7chicago.com)

“I had minimal damage to my ligaments. It was more of an alignment issue from where I got fell on. It wasn't my knee; they had to go into my femur and do what was called an osteotomy to kind of correct my alignment. So my knee is healthy. It took a little bit longer than just the regular injury, but it's doing better now.”

— Jedrick Wills Jr. (abc7chicago.com)

What’s next

The Bears will look to address their needs at edge rusher and in the secondary through the 2026 NFL Draft, where they have the 25th overall pick.

The takeaway

The Bears face significant roster turnover after losing several key starters in free agency, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. They'll need to be strategic in the draft and free agency to rebuild their roster and field a competitive team around QB Justin Fields in 2026.