Bears 2025 Offseason: Post-Combine, Free Agency, Mock Draft
The 2025 NFL Combine is officially complete, and many prospects’ draft stock has been affected. They have either risen, dropped, or done nothing at all.
Over the years, scouts have made new assessments of players based on traits displayed at the combine alone, neglecting what the tape has shown.
This can often be a jackpot for franchises or lead them into a mirage of potential. A recent example is Anthony Richardson, the Quarterback from the University of Florida.
Richardson’s tape showed that he was a very average player.
PHOTO: ClutchPoints
His two assets were his ability to throw the deep ball and run with the ball, which he displayed so exemplarily that he earned himself a top-five draft selection. I would classify this Colts selection as a mirage of potential, given the franchise’s QB situation is still unstable two years later.
First and foremost, starting with the free agency period, the Chicago Bears need to address their offensive line, defensive line, and running back rooms.
As of March 5th, the Chicago Bears have already begun retooling their offensive line, with the trades of guard Jonah Jackson for a 6th round pick in 2025 and guard Joe Thuney for a 2026 4th round pick. These moves sure up the starting guard spots immediately before free agency officially starts in five days. Following this, the Bears should look to address the center position or an edge rusher.
Players available at each spot are low in the number of talented players.
Center
Drew Dalman
- PFF Grade: 78.8 Overall Rating
- 66.6 Pass blocking
- 79.8 Run Blocking
Played all games in 2023 but only 9 games in 2024 and was injured with a high ankle sprain. Market Value: 13 million per year=
Ryan Kelly
- PFF Grade: 67 Overall Rating
- 71.9 Pass Block rating
- 64 Run Block Rating
Played 10 games in 2024, 14 in 2023, 17 in 2022, and 14 in 2021. Market Value: 10 million per year
These are two decent options for the Chicago Bears, given that they meet Ben Johnson’s experienced center requirement. Based on what I have heard regarding Dalman’s inability to play in a system beyond wide zone, I am leaning into the idea of the Chicago Bears signing Ryan Kelly for a one-year deal and drafting Jared Wilson out of Georgia to develop for his rookie year.
Edge Rusher
Khalil Mack
- PFF Grade: 90.4 Overall Grade
- 79.9 pass rush grade
- 88.8 run defense grade
34 years old with 7 sacks,6 batted passes, and 49 pressures. Market Value: 23 million per year
Josh Sweat
- PFF Grade: 75.7 Overall Grade
- 71.5 Pass Rush Grade
- 69.3 Run Defense Grade
27 years old with 8 Sacks, 27 solo tackles, and 54 pressures. Market Value: 18.8 million per year.
Chase Young
- PFF Grade: 66.4 Overall Grade
- 66.0 Pass Rush Grade
- 54.6 Run Defense Grade
7 Sacks, 19 Solo Tackles, 66 Total Pressures. Market Value: 17.5 million per year
Looking at the significant free-agent edge rusher class, I am not willing to sign any of them.
Khalil Mack, if he is brought back, I will be excited, but not on a 23 million dollar cap hit.
Chase Young: I see him as someone Ryan Poles has already passed on, so why would you spend big money on him? Secondly, Dennis Allen has already coached Young and knows everything he needs to know. Young takes too many plays off during games.
Josh Sweat is a player sheltered by great players around him and puts up disguised stats as a result. My concern for him is that he will struggle as one of the main focus points, and the Chicago Bears will have overspent for underperforming talent once again.
PHOTO: ClutchPoints
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