Bears 2025 mock offseason 1.0: Hiring a head coach, bolstering roster

The Chicago Bears are in the midst of a busy offseason that could very well decide the fate of this franchise for the next decade. No pressure or anything.

That starts with their search for a new head coach, which has already cast a wide net of candidates that has included former head coaches, rising coordinators and college coaches. As for what the Bears are looking for in their next head coach, Poles said it's "a clear vision, a developmental mindset, really good game management and a plan to develop the quarterback."

But there's so much more work to do then just find the right head coach, and that starts with Ryan Poles, who hasn't exactly addressed the trenches in three seasons as general manager. There's a lot of work to be done in free agency and the 2025 NFL draft when it comes to filling in key holes and addressing depth concerns at a number of positions.

With that in mind, here is a full mock offseason plan that incorporates hiring a new head coach, cutting some players, signing some others and adding more through the draft. We’ll have several more of them in the coming weeks leading into free agency, which begins March 12, and the 2025 NFL Draft.

Bears hire their new head coach

The immediate focus of the offseason is the Bears' search for their next head coach. Chicago has cast a wide net that's approaching 20 candidates, and there are a couple of big names in the mix, including Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and former Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy.

With that in mind, here's what we envision who the finalists could include:

• Ben Johnson, Lions offensive coordinator

• Mike McCarthy, former Cowboys head coach

• Ron Rivera, former Panthers/Commanders head coach

• Todd Monken, Ravens offensive coordinator

• Aaron Glenn, Lions defensive coordinator

Despite a reported push from the Las Vegas Raiders on Johnson and Chicago's interest in McCarthy, all roads lead back to the Bears signing Johnson to take the team from irrelevance to competitive in the NFC North. Johnson, who's elevated quarterback Jared Goff and Detroit's offense in a big way in the past three seasons, is the perfect person to get the most out of quarterback Caleb Williams and help position Chicago to contend for the postseason in 2025.

Bears free agents to re-sign

The Bears have a lengthy list of pending free agents. Most will not return. In this scenario, Chicago brings back some of these key free agents:

• DE Darrell Taylor

• CB Josh Blackwell

• LB Jack Sanborn

• DT Byron Cowart

• OL Coleman Shelton

• OL Matt Pryor

• LS Scott Daly

• CB Jaylon Jones

• WR Collin Johnson

The Bears don't have many notable free agents, but there are some players worth bringing back on team-friendly deals, including edge rusher Darrell Taylor, who's a good rotational piece, and linebacker Jack Sanborn. Some addition depth signings include defensive tackle Byron Cowart, center Coleman Shelton, guard/tackle Matt Pryor, cornerback Josh Blackwell and receiver Collin Johnson.

Some notable free agents we don't expect to return are wide receiver Keenan Allen and guard Teven Jenkins.

Players under contract to cut

The Bears are sitting pretty with roughly $74 million in salary cap space, per Spotrac, to help fill some voids on the roster in free agency. But Chicago can save some more money by parting ways with one notable player.

• TE Gerald Everett

Everett had an underwhelming first season with the Bears. He totaled just eight catches for 36 yards in 13 games. Chicago can save $5.25 million by parting ways with Everett, who is slated to have a $6.48 cap hit in 2025.

Free agents to sign

The Bears have several needs to address this offseason, and Poles will get his first shot with these free agent additions:

• OG Trey Smith

• C Drew Dalman

• EDGE Dante Fowler Jr.

• WR Dyami Brown

• DT Javon Kinlaw

• TE Austin Hooper

• S Jason Pinnock

The Bears need to address the trenches this offseason, and they take a big swing at the offensive line bidding out some big-time competition for Pro Bowl guard Trey Smith and sign ascending center Drew Dalman to shore up the interior. Chicago also addresses the defensive line with the additions of Dante Fowler off the edge, to pair with Montez Sweat, and some depth at defensive tackle with Javon Kinlaw. The additions of receiver Dyami Brown, tight end Austin Hooper and safety Jason Pinnock also bring some depth.

2025 NFL draft

The final piece of the puzzle is the NFL draft, which offers an opportunity to further bolster the roster. Chicago has four picks in the Top 75, including a top-10 selection and two second rounders.

• Round 1, Pick 10: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas

• Round 2, Pick 39: Princely Umanmielen, EDGE, Ole Miss

• Round 2, Pick 41: Tyler Booker, G, Alabama

• Round 3, Pick 72: Cam Skattebo, RB, Arizona State

• Round 5, Pick 147: Jonah Monheim, C, USC

• Round 6, Pick 197: Mitchell Evans, TE, Notre Dame

• Round 7, Pick 233: Malachi Moore, S, Alabama

• Round 7, Pick 244: Zakhari Franklin, WR, Illinois

The Bears prioritize the offensive line in our first offseason mock draft. After adding depth along the interior in free agency, Chicago adds a plug-and-play left tackle in Kelvin Banks Jr., as well as a starting guard in Tyler Booker and a developmental center in Jonah Monheim. The Bears add a speedster off the edge with Princely Umanmielen, a playmaker at running back in Cam Skattebo and some other solid pieces at tight end, safety and receiver.

This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears 2025 mock offseason 1.0: Hiring a head coach, bolstering roster