Bears 2025 offseason: Experts hand out grades for Chicago
Bears 2025 offseason: Experts hand out grades for Chicago
The Chicago Bears are in the middle of their offseason program, where OTAs are underway under first-year head coach Ben Johnson.
It's been an eventful offseason for general manager Ryan Poles, who made a splash with the hiring of Johnson and the subsequent moves that followed. That included trading for offensive linemen Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson, landing some more linemen in free agency (with center Drew Dalman, defensive tackle Grady Jarrett and defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo) and some impactful additions in the 2025 NFL draft (with tight end Colston Loveland and receiver Luther Burden III).
Poles also inked some key players to contract extensions, including cornerback Kyler Gordon, linebacker T.J. Edwards and Thuney and Jackson.
With that in mind, here's a collection of grades for the Bears' 2025 offseason from various media outlets, where experts overwhelmingly agree that Chicago had one of the best offseasons. Looks like the Bears locked down that third consecutive offseason championship.
Pro Football Focus: A+
Pro Football Focus' Trevor Sikemma: "It was an ideal offseason for the Bears. They made huge splashes in their coaching staff, not just with Ben Johnson as head coach but also with Dennis Allen as defensive coordinator. They then traded for or signed Joe Thuney, Jonah Jackson and Drew Dalman to solidify their starting offensive line. That allowed them to take a 'best player available' approach in the draft, which yielded Colston Loveland, Luther Burden III and Ozzy Trapilo, among others. Chicago didn't really address running back this offseason, but if the team was to put a lower priority on any position, that was the one."
CBS Sports: A
CBS Sports' Garrett Podell: "Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, got smoked as a rookie: his 68 sacks taken were tied for the third most in a season in NFL history. New head coach Ben Johnson, the most coveted coaching candidate this hiring cycle and whose Detroit Lions offenses averaged an NFL-best 29.0 points per game when he was the offensive coordinator from 2022 to 2024 made sure that changed. Johnson's Detroit offenses, especially last season, were powered by Pro Bowlers up and down the offensive line, namely left tackle Taylor Decker, center Frank Ragnow, guard Kevin Zeitler and right tackle Penei Sewell.
"Johnson and general manager Ryan Poles went to work beefing up Williams' offensive line: they traded for Rams right guard Jonah Jackson and then subsequently dealt for two-time first-team All-Pro left guard Joe Thuney from the Kansas City Chiefs for a 2026 fourth-round pick. The Bears pounced in free agency snapping up the best center available in ex-Atlanta Falcons center Drew Dalman to a three-year, $42 million contract with $28 million guaranteed. They then gave Williams more playmakers to work with in the passing game in the draft, selecting Michigan tight end Colston Loveland and wide receiver Luther Burden III with each of their first two picks. That's a great way to maximize your first overall pick quarterback on his rookie deal."
Bleacher Report: A+
Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox: "It's hard not to love what the Chicago Bears have managed to do this offseason. A year after using the No. 1 pick in the draft on quarterback Caleb Williams, the Bears have formed a cohesive and sensible plan for getting the most out of the USC product. Let's be honest, Williams did not play up to his potential or his draft status as a rookie. However, he was saddled with a poor offensive line and a head coach in Matt Eberflus who frequently struggled with simple things like clock management and situational planning.
"Chicago kicked off its offseason by hiring Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson to be its new head coach. Will he succeed as a first-time head coach where Eberflus failed? That remains to be seen. However, he's a proven offensive mind who used creative formations and blocking schemes to field a balanced and potent offense in Detroit. Williams should show improvement as a player under Johnson. The Bears then threw multiple darts at their offensive line to rebuild its entire interior before drafting pass-catchers Colston Loveland and Luther Burden III. With playmakers like D.J. Moore, D'Andre Swift, Rome Odunze and Cole Kmet already in the fold, Chicago now boasts one of the more impressive skill groups in the NFL.
"With more weapons, better blocking and improved offensive game-planning, Williams will have an opportunity to make a significant jump in 2025. While that should be the most important result of Chicago's offseason, the Bears didn't focus on offense alone. New additions Grady Jarrett and Dayo Odeyingbo should immediately boost a defense that ranked 29th in yards per carry allowed, 31st in net yards per pass attempt allowed and 27th overall last season."
Pro Football Network: A-
Pro Football Network's Brandon Austin: "The biggest change the Chicago Bears made this offseason was at head coach. Chicago fired Matt Eberflus midseason, and now they've replaced him with a familiar face — former Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. Poaching the offensive mastermind from their NFC North foes was a great move. Ushering in this new era couldn't come at a better time, as Chicago is hoping to see improvement from last year's No. 1 overall pick, Caleb Williams. Johnson is one of the league's top play-callers, and his presence could help maximize Williams' potential in the NFL. General manager Ryan Poles also made it a priority to set his young quarterback up for success. The Bears' offensive line finished last season as a middle-of-the-pack unit (14th in OL+), but Poles added three new starters on the interior, which should help elevate this offense.
"Chicago also added a couple of big-time offensive playmakers through the draft in tight end Colston Loveland and wide receiver Luther Burden III. Loveland has the tools to be an instant upgrade over Cole Kmet. Johnson worked his magic with Sam LaPorta in Detroit, and it would be unsurprising to see him have similar success with the explosive Loveland. Burden is also a dynamic weapon who could be a nice complement to DJ Moore and Rome Odunze. The Bears' defense faltered down the stretch in 2024, but they were strong for most of the year. The secondary has the potential to be elite, but Chicago was unimpressive against the run, ranking 29th in yards per rush (4.8) and 21st in rush success rate (59.8%). Adding Grady Jarrett and Shemar Turner to the fold beefs up their front."
Yahoo! Sports: A
Yahoo! Sports' Frank Schwab: "Caleb Williams should be happy. The offensive line was overhauled in free agency and trades, allowing the Bears to use their first two draft picks on TE Colston Loveland and WR Luther Burden III. The defense got some help too. Winning offseasons will eventually pay off for Chicago."
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