Yahoo Sports How Bears can use Week 18 vs. Packers to evaluate roster for 2025 NFL season
The Chicago Bears are preparing to wrap the 2024 season with a divisional showdown against the Green Bay Packers. While there's nothing left to play for than pride -- and playing spoiler as the Packers look to lock down the No. 6 seed -- this game could be useful for evaluating this team ahead of the 2025 offseason.
The Bears are guaranteed a top-10 pick, which will likely be used to address a huge need in the trenches, and there are some pending changes coming in the front office. Chicago will be looking for a new head coach, a search that's expected to be wide ranging, and could be looking for a new general manager depending on how things shake out.
Bears roster evaluations
Chicago has nothing to play for in Week 18 other than pride -- and potentially ruining the Packers' chances at the No. 6 seed. But this final game should serve as an opportunity for the Bears to evaluate players and even front office personnel. Quarterback Caleb Williams will have a chance to close out his rookie season on a high note -- and possibly lead his team to their first win over the Packers since 2018. There are some pending free agents who are looking to earn a contract extension -- be it in Chicago or elsewhere -- including receiver Keenan Allen and left guard Teven Jenkins.
Even more than the roster, this game will serve as an evaluation for general manager Ryan Poles, whose future is murky following another disaster of a season. While Matt Eberflus was a big problem, Poles is the one who hired him and also assembled this team, which includes arguably the worst offensive line in the league that's gotten Williams sacked 67 times, a franchise record. Thomas Brown, who was once thought to be a candidate for the permanent head coaching vacancy, is 0-4 since taking over in the interim and isn't primed to fill that role.
What’s next for Bears?
The Bears' offseason will begin with their head coach search, which starts as early as Jan. 6, when Chicago can begin requesting interviews with coaches on current NFL teams and interview them three days after the conclusion of the regular season. Virtual interviews will need to happen before the end of the divisional round games (Jan. 19). For any candidates whose tam has a bye in the first round of the playoffs, the Bears can conduct virtual interviews three days after the regular season finale through the end of the wild-card round of games (Jan. 16).
Chicago will have several key free agents that they'll have to make a decision on, including receiver Keenan Allen, left guard Teven Jenkins, long snapper Patrick Scales and linebacker Jack Sanborn. The 2025 free agency negotiation window begins March 10, with free agency officially opening two days later on March 12.
The Bears are guaranteed a top-10 pick in the 2025 NFL draft (final order to be determined), where they'll likely be targeting an offensive or defensive lineman. Chicago will begin their offseason program on April 7, as they'll have a new head coach in place. Other key dates include: Pro Bowl Games (Feb. 2), NFL Scouting Combine (Feb. 24 – March 3) and rookie minicamp (May 2-5, May 9-12).
How to watch Bears vs. Packers
Date: Sunday, Jan. 5, 2024
Start time: 12 p.m. CT
TV Channel: FOX
Livestream: Fubo (free trial)
Bears vs. Packers predictions, odds (BetMGM)
Spread: Packers -9
Over/under: 40.5
Money line: Bears +310, Packers -400
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: How Bears vs Packers in Week 18 can be useful for 2025 roster building
