Ranking the Bears' best offseason additions

At long last, the 2025 offseason is beginning to wind down for the Chicago Bears. With the calendar officially flipping over to July, training camp is officially on the horizon. The major moves have been made, and it's time to get ready for the final preparations ahead of the regular season.

It was an incredibly busy offseason for the Bears, though, with general manager Ryan Poles at the helm. They underwent an exhaustive coaching search, made multiple trades to shore up their offensive line, divvied out over $100 million in guaranteed money with big free agent splashes, and found potential building blocks in the NFL Draft with four picks inside the top 65.

But of all the acquisitions the Bears made, which ones were the best? We're ranking the top 10 offseason moves that the Bears made over the last six months and why they stand out.

10. QB Case Keenum

LAKE FOREST, ILLINOIS - JUNE 03: Case Keenum #11 of the Chicago Bears looks to pass in a drill during Chicago Bears OTA Offseason Workout at Halas Hall on June 03, 2025 in Lake Forest, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

• Signed 1-year, $2.5 million contract in free agency

Chicago opted not to add a proven veteran to their quarterback last season, and that decision didn't help Williams with his development. That changed this offseason when the Bears brought in Case Keenum as a backup. Keenum has seen it all and has experience both as a starter and as a mentor to young quarterbacks. Even if he doesn't see any playing time, Keenum's presence will be invaluable to both Caleb Williams and Tyson Bagent. It sounds like it already has.

9. WR Luther Burden III

May 9, 2025; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III warms up during the Rookie Minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

• Selected 39th overall in the 2025 NFL Draft

No one saw the Bears adding another wide receiver early in the 2025 NFL Draft, but they couldn't pass up the opportunity to give Ben Johnson's offense another dangerous playmaker. Burden was a weapon with the ball in his hands during his collegiate days at Missouri, totaling 1,888 yards and 17 total touchdowns during his final two years. He has the chance to develop into a versatile receiver like teammate DJ Moore, who can rack up plenty of yards after the catch.

8. Dayo Odeyingbo

Indianapolis Colts defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo (54) reacts after sacking Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, during a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

• Signed 3-year, $48 million contract ($32 million guaranteed) in free agency

The Bears had a vacancy at edge rusher following the release of DeMarcus Walker prior to free agency. They addressed it by inking former Indianapolis Colts pass rusher Dayo Odeyingbo to a multi-year deal. Odeyingbo was one of the more polarizing free agents available, though. He had shown flashes during his time with the Colts as a rotational player, but his production took a hit when he became a full-time starter. Chicago is betting on Odeyingbo's future that he can thrive in defensive coordinator Dennis Allen's system.

7. Ozzy Trapilo

LAKE FOREST, ILLINOIS - MAY 09: Ozzy Trapilo #75 of the Chicago Bears looks on during the Chicago Bears Rookie Minicamp at Halas Hall on May 09, 2025 in Lake Forest, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

• Selected 56th overall in the 2025 NFL Draft

Poles was wheeling and dealing in the second round of the draft, opting to move down from No. 41 overall to pick up No. 56 and No. 62 in the round. The Bears were able to land a massive rookie tackle, Ozzy Trapilo from Boston College, with the first of those two selections. Trapilo primarily played right tackle in college but is learning the left side in the pros. At 6-foot-8, Trapilo has an ideal body to guard the blind side and seems to have an inside track at snagging the starting spot. It's only July, and the Bears haven't practiced in pads yet, but the early returns look promising.

6. OG Jonah Jackson

Jan 13, 2025; Glendale, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Rams guard Jonah Jackson (72) against the Minnesota Vikings during an NFC wild card game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

• Acquired via trade from the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for a 2025 sixth-round pick

Rebuilding the offensive line was a top priority for the Bears going into the offseason, and they didn't wait for free agency to begin to get started. The Bears traded for Jonah Jackson from the Los Angeles Rams for a sixth-round pick in the 2025 draft and added a year onto his deal. Jackson had fallen out of favor in LA after just one season that had him playing center. Now, Jackson reunites with Johnson from their days with the Detroit Lions and will settle in as the starting right guard. Jackson was one of the better guards prior to signing with the Rams last offseason, and the hope is he can get back to that same level in Chicago.

5. TE Colston Loveland

May 9, 2025; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears tight end Colston Loveland (84) smiles during the Rookie Minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

• Selected 10th overall in the 2025 NFL Draft

At first blush, the Bears' selection of Colston Loveland in the first round of the draft likely surprised quite a few people. There were rumors swirling that a running back or offensive line was the target, and if they did choose to go with a tight end, Tyler Warren seemed to be the popular choice. Loveland, however, has a massive frame and is exceptional when it comes to route running as a tight end. He was lining up against cornerbacks while at Michigan and often won those one-on-one matchups. While he's still recovering from offseason surgery, Loveland will provide the Bears with a dynamic U tight end who can be the perfect complement to Cole Kmet now and in the future.

4. C Drew Dalman

Dec 24, 2022; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Atlanta Falcons center Drew Dalman (67) stands on the field before the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

• Signed 3-year, $42 million contract ($28 million guaranteed) in free agency

No free agent was mocked more to the Bears than center Drew Dalman, showing how desperately the team needed a new center. Dalman was the best player on the market at the position, and Chicago wasted little time in signing him, agreeing to a deal just minutes after the free agent negotiating window opened. Though Dalman missed seven games last season due to injury, he was an important member of the Atlanta Falcons offensive line for four seasons. He's a bit shorter than what the Bears had with Coleman Shelton last year but plays at a bigger size. Having a consistent veteran man the position for Williams should help the quarterback's play in 2025.

3. DT Grady Jarrett

Sep 11, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons defensive end Grady Jarrett (97) celebrates after a sack against the New Orleans Saints in the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

• Signed 3-year, $42 million contract ($27 million guaranteed) in free agency

Every year, we see a handful of surprise cuts around the NFL when free agency rolls around. Grady Jarrett was one of those surprises, as he was let go from the Atlanta Falcons just minutes before the free agency negotiating window opened. A few hours later, Jarrett had found a new home. At 32 years old, Jarrett is on the decline of his career but still has plenty of gas in the tank. More importantly, he's an outstanding leader and is coming to a position group that needs his guidance. Jarrett should have a productive season while rotating with Gervon Dexter, Andrew Billings, and Shemar Turner. His lasting impact, however, could be how he takes Dexter and Turner under his wing.

2. OG Joe Thuney

• Acquired via trade from the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for a 2026 fourth-round pick

Sometimes when a door closes, another one opens. By all accounts, the Bears were targeting Kansas City Chiefs guard Trey Smith for when he would hit free agency to give them a stud young guard on the line. That dream ended when the Chiefs made the surprising decision to place the franchise tag on him. But Poles saw an opportunity to snag Kansas City's other guard, Joe Thuney, and ran with it by acquiring him for a Day 3 pick in 2026. Thuney is six years older than Smith but is still at the top of his game after earning First-Team All-Pro in each of the last two seasons. He's protected both Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes, winning four Super Bowl titles between two teams, and will hopefully have his winning background rub off on his new teammates. The best part of the trade? The two sides were able to come to an agreement on a contract extension, keeping Thuney in Chicago through 2027.

1. HC Ben Johnson

May 9, 2025; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson (R) speaks during the Rookie Minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

With respect to all of the signings, trades, and draft picks the Bears have made this year, it's very possible many of them don't happen without Ben Johnson. The Bears' best offseason move was their first, when they lured Johnson over from the Detroit Lions to be their next head coach. For two seasons, Johnson was the hottest coaching candidate in the league. He managed to exceed the lofty expectations in front of him when he returned to Detroit in 2024, and now brings his tenacity and knowledge to the Bears in hopes of making them relevant yet again. Johnson is by no means a sure thing at head coach, but the Bears needed to take a big swing to land a difference maker. So far, it seems they found one with Johnson.