After missing out on star edge-rusher Maxx Crosby, who was traded from the Las Vegas Raiders to the Baltimore Ravens for two first-round picks, the Chicago Bears can now turn their attention to the rest of the holes on their roster.
However, the Bears still need a pass-rusher after finishing tied for the seventh-fewest sacks in the league and got just 25 sacks out of players not named Montez Sweat.
The Bears only have six pending free agents on the offensive side of the ball, and none of them starters. However, the team will lose 18 defensive players, and needless to say that unit is expected to look much different next season than it did in 2025.
Bears Eyeing Lions LB Alex Anzalone
GettyDetroit Lions LB Alex Anzalone
Aside from trading wide receiver DJ Moore to the Buffalo Bills for a second-round pick, one of the Bears’ biggest moves of the offseason has been cutting former $72 million linebacker Tremaine Edmunds.
The 27-year-old logged a team-high 112 tackles last season, and he’s recorded 100 or more tackles in every one of his 8 NFL seasons, but he found himself a cap casualty shortly before free agency begins.
Finding a replacement for him won’t be an easy task, but according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Chicago could find his successor by turning to one of its division rivals.
“The Chicago Bears freed up around $17 million in cap space with the D.J. Moore trade, which they will need in free agency to aid the defense,” Fowler wrote. “Yes, they could use pass-rush help. But I don’t sense Chicago is desperate for a splashy pass rusher. Much will depend on price. Interior rush help could be the way to go.
“To replace Tremaine Edmunds, Alex Anzalone is a name to watch. Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen was with him in New Orleans and he’s good in coverage. At safety, my sense is the Bears will attempt to re-sign Kevin Byard III over the weekend but will let Jaquan Brisker walk.”
Anzalone has been a staple of Detroit’s defense since 2021.
The 31-year-old recorded 95 tackles, 9 passes defensed, 4 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and an interception last season. During his 5-year Lions tenure, Anzalone totaled 490 tackles, 26 tackles for loss, 32 QB hits, 33 passes defensed, 3 interceptions, and 2 fumble recoveries.
Bears Have 24 Pending Free Agents
Chicago has plenty of holes to fill in free agency, especially on defense with eight defensive backs and four linebackers on expiring contracts.
Free agency officially begins at 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday, and the Bears have 24 players set to hit the market:
- Travis Homer, running back
- Olamide Zaccheaus, wide receiver
- Devin Duvernay, wide receiver
- Durham Smythe, tight end
- Braxton Jones, offensive tackle
- Ryan Bates, center
- Scott Daley, long snapper
- Andrew Billings, defensive lineman
- Chris Williams, defensive lineman
- Joe Tryon, defensive end
- Dominique Robinson, defensive end
- Tremaine Edmunds, linebacker
- Amen Ogbongbemiga, linebacker
- D’Marco Jackson, linebacker
- Jaen Reeves-Maybin linebacker
- Nick McCloud, cornerback
- Nahshon Wright, cornerback
- Elijah Hicks, cornerback
- Kevin Byard, safety
- Jonathan Owens, safety
- Jaquan Brisker, safety
- Jaylon Jones, safety
- C.J. Gardner-Johnson, safety
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