5 Best Offseason Moves Bears Could Make to Help Caleb Williams in 2025 Season
Following an up-and-down but generally promising initial season with quarterback Caleb Williams at the helm, and with a new head coach on board, the Chicago Bears know that their future is deeply tied to whatever progress the 2024 No. 1 overall pick makes in 2025 and beyond.
With that in mind, this is a critical offseason for Ryan Poles and Ben Johnson as they look to bolster support for a quarterback who was sacked a league-high 68 times and saw his defense surrender 30-plus points in four of the team's last seven games.
Some suggestions...
Replace Teven Jenkins with Trey Smith
The talent is there, and continuity is key for any offensive line. But you're just not getting that anyway considering how often Teven Jenkins is off the field.
The Bears would be smart to move on from Jenkins before committing any more money to him. With more than $65 million in salary-cap space, the path should be clear for them to upgrade where they need it most within the interior offensive line.
Enter Trey Smith, who was drafted by a Chiefs front office that included Poles. The 25-year-old Pro Bowler has been consistently stellar during his first four years in Kansas City, and this is the exact type of calculated splash that can help transform an offense.
And in case Smith doesn't hit the open market, Will Fries from the Colts isn't a bad backup plan.
Upgrade at Center as Well
But the interior offensive line struggled so much in 2024 that one change won't do it. The Bears also need to give Williams a better option at center than Coleman Shelton, who didn't impress on a cheap one-year deal and now is scheduled to hit free agency anyway.
They've got plenty of cap space to use to outbid the rest of the market for intriguing 26-year-old impending free agent Drew Dalman from the Atlanta Falcons, and Ryan Kelly from the Indianapolis Colts isn't a bad option either.
Alternatively, they could take advantage of the fact they own the 40th and 42nd picks and chase a top-notch center in the draft. There are no clear-cut, pure centers projected to go off the board early on Day 2, but this class contains several versatile interior offensive linemen who could make immediate impacts.
At the very least, they must bring in some competition and let the best big man win.
One More Receiver
Keenan Allen led the team with seven touchdown catches last year, but he turns 33 in April, is slated to hit free agency before then, and his spotty injury history could be problematic as well.
The Bears either need to replace a guy who Williams claims is the best player he's ever played with, or they need to add an insurance policy and fourth option beyond Allen and no-doubters DJ Moore and Rome Odunze.
It'd be great to see them bring in Chris Godwin or DeAndre Hopkins, while Tez Johnson and Xavier Restrepo are logical potential Day 2 selections in that spot.
Bring in a Veteran Backup Quarterback
Tyson Bagent has three career touchdown passes to six interceptions. The undrafted 24-year-old doesn't bring much to the table in terms of either talent or experience.
The Bears need something more on the quarterback depth chart. Ideally, someone who can be relied on in the event that Williams has to miss time, but also someone who can play a mentor-like role with Williams throughout his sophomore campaign.
Joe Flacco comes to mind. He's 40, but he still has plenty left based on his performances in place of Anthony Richardson in Indy in 2024, and he's got lots of experience working with younger quarterbacks on the rise.
Other options include Andy Dalton, Jacoby Brissett and the rejuvenated and inspirational Jameis Winston.
Draft an Elite Edge in Round 1
The Bears pass rush is in decent hands with veteran standout Montez Sweat leading the way, but nobody on the roster hit the six-sack mark in '24 and Sweat could use some long-term help on the edge.
Considering that the offensive line appears better-served in free agency and that they drafted a receiver in Round 1 last year, a shiny new pass-rusher makes a lot of sense with that No. 10 overall pick, as it could bolster the defense and take pressure off Williams.
Chicago hasn't selected an edge defender in the first round since taking Leonard Floyd ninth overall in 2016, and this feels like the right time.
I don't think it'd take long before a guy like Mykel Williams or Mike Green would be viewed as a better option than veteran DeMarcus Walker opposite Sweat. Regardless, it's good to have extra guys with the ability to hunt down the quarterback.