Yahoo Sports Key dates for Bears fans to know this 2025 offseason
The Chicago Bears have wrapped their 2024 season with a thrilling win over the Green Bay Packers -- their first over Green Bay in 12 games -- sending Chicago to a 5-12 finish. Now, it's time to look ahead to what's shaping up to be a busy offseason for the Bears.
The Bears have an important hire to make at head coach following the firing of Matt Eberflus after Thanksgiving, especially as it pertains to the development of quarterback Caleb Williams and fixing the culture in the locker room after a 2024 season that included 10 straight losses and a slew of heartbreaking defeats.
Now that the Bears' 2024 season is in the books, here are some important dates to know heading into the 2025 offseason:
Jan. 7: End-of-year press conference
The Bears will hold an end-of-year press conference this week to kick off the offseason. General manager Ryan Poles will meet with the media at 10 a.m. CT while president Kevin Warren and chairman George McCaskey meet with reporters off to the side following the main presser. Poles has plenty of questions to answer ahead of a crucial offseason.
Jan. 28-Feb. 1: Senior Bowl
The NFL draft starts in Mobile, Ala., with the Senior Bowl. There will be plenty of Bears scouts in place to get a look at some of the best talent in college football.
Feb. 2: Pro Bowl Games
The 2025 Pro Bowl Games will be held on Feb. 2 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando. The Bears have just one representative: cornerback Jaylon Johnson, making his second straight Pro Bowl appearance.
Feb. 24-March 3: NFL Scouting Combine
The Scouting Combine kicks off draft season, which is going to be quite busy for the Bears, who hold the No. 10 overall pick. GM Ryan Poles and the team's head coach to-be-named will head to Lucas Oil Stadium to get a look at the top prospects in this year's NFL draft.
March 4: Franchise/transition tag
The deadline to use the franchise or transition tag is March 4. But the Bears don't have any candidates for either tag.
March 10-12: Free agency
The two-day negotiating period officially begins March 10 (when the action is busy), but free agency officially opens on March 12. The Bears are expected to have around $80.14 million in salary cap space (fifth most in the NFL) and have big holes across the roster. So expect them to make plenty of moves.
March 12: Trading period opens
If the Bears are going to make any trades, they can start on March 12, which marks the beginning of the new league year.
April 7: Offseason program begins
The Bears will soon welcome a new head coach following Matt Eberflus' firing, which means the offseason program will begin two weeks before the rest of the league with returning coaches. Chicago will return to Halas Hall for their offseason workout program on April 7. Teams with returning coaches can begin April 21.
April 24-26: 2025 NFL Draft
For the third straight year, the Bears will hold a top-10 pick in the NFL Draft. Chicago currently has eight draft selections, including three in the top 41 picks, which will be used to address some massive holes, including most notably along the offensive line. This year's draft will be held in enemy territory -- Green Bay, Wisconsin.
May 2-5 or May 9-12: Rookie minicamp
Following the NFL Draft, the Bears can hold their three-day, post-Draft rookie minicamp wither May 2-5 or May 9-12, where new rookies will hit the practice field at Halas Hall for the first time. There will also be undrafted free agents looking to earn a roster spot.
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Key dates for Bears fans to know this 2025 offseason
