The 2025 NFL league year is now fully underway. The Bears were aggressive, making a flurry of moves before, during and after the first wave of free agency. Let’s take a look at the moves, in ascending order of their importance, in my opinion:

• Signed TE Durham Smythe to a one year deal- Smythe is a blocking tight end that has done little as a receiver in his seven year career, all with the Dolphins. New Bears head coach, Ben Johnson, was Smythe’s position coach in Miami in 2018. Smythe is essentially the replacement for the ageless Marcedes Lewis. The Bears made this move before the start of free agency, so obviously he was a target of Ben Johnson. I’m trusting Johnson on this one. Grade: C
• I’m lumping all of the re-signings into one group. All are basically special teams players, though some also add important depth at other positions. DB Josh Blackwell tops this list. Blackwell is an ace special teamer and helped stabilize the punt returner position. He’s also the backup nickel back. LS Scott Daly replaced an injured Patrick Scales last year and did a fine job. He’s younger, has a better injury history and the fact that he crossed paths with Johnson in Detroit probably factored in to the Bears decision to retain him. LB Amen Ogbongbemiga and S Tarvarius Ward are core special teamers and second stringers at linebacker and safety, respectively. Ogbongbemiga, in fact, could push for more playing time on defense with the departure of Jack Sanborn. TE Stephen Carlson currently sits third on the depth chart at tight end, but most of his contributions will be on special teams, though he could be used as an H-back. Collectively, these re-signings are middling, but the Blackwell extension is especially noteworthy. Grade: C+

• Signed DE Dayo Odeyingbo to a three year deal. The Bears had a significant need for a defensive end opposite Montez Sweat. Odeyingbo was on my peripheral radar, but I thought the Bears might go with Chase Young due to his familiarity with new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen. The fact that they signed Odeyingbo with Young still on the market tells me that Allen preferred him. I have to trust the coach on this. Odeyingbo hasn’t quite lived up to his potential, but he’s young enough that he still could. Grade: B-
• Acquired OG Jonah Jackson from the Rams for a 2025 sixth round pick. The Bears then extended Jackson through 2027. Jackson had a massively disappointing season in 2024 after signing with the Rams. He was injured and eventually lost his starting job to a rookie. Jackson previously played in Detroit, for Ben Johnson, where he made a Pro Bowl. I’ll trust Johnson, again, and if Jackson regains his Pro Bowl form, this deal is a home run. Grade: B
• Signed WR Olamide Zaccheaus to a one year deal. Zaccheaus figures to be the Bears’ starting slot receiver, replacing Keenan Allen. Zaccheaus is no Keenan Allen, but he does add value at a bargain price, compared to the future Hall of Famer. Zaccheaus had a career year for Washington and throughout his tenure in the NFL has made big catches in key moments. He could also provide value in the return game. Grade: B
• Signed C Drew Dalman to a three year deal. In most years, landing the top center on the market would be the biggest move of the offseason for the Bears, especially given the long list of mediocrity they’ve had at the position since Olin Kreutz left in 2011. Dalman is an excellent run blocker and has improved as a pass blocker. He’s an intelligent offensive lineman that will help second year QB Caleb Williams immensely. Grade: B+

• Signed DT Grady Jarrett to a three year deal. At 32, Jarrett is still a productive player and he has more in the tank. He should be able to maintain a high level of play as the Bears use him in more of a rotation rather than in an every down role. More importantly is what Jarrett brings to the locker room and the defensive huddle. The Bears have had good, even great players on defense but they’ve lacked a true Alpha, a true leader and tone setter since Akiem Hicks left. Jarrett rectifies that. It will be readily apparent after the first week of OTAs who the leader of the defense is. Jarrett will elevate every player on the defense with just his professional and the passion with which he plays the game. Oh, and he hates Jordan Love. Grade: A

• Acquired OG Joe Thuney from the Chiefs for a 2026 fourth round pick. Thuney was a massive get for the Bears. Kansas City didn’t want to lose him, but they’re cap strapped and made a tough decision. At 32, Thuney is still an All Pro caliber guard that has a few more years of high level play. Beyond that, Thuney does for the Bears offensive line what Jarrett does for the defensive line. The Bears haven’t had a true Alpha and leader on the offensive line since Kyle Long. Thuney’s professionalism and work ethic, not to mention his championship pedigree, will inspire the rest of the Bears offensive line. If the Bears ink him to an extension, this would get a perfect grade. Grade: A

Winning the offseason means nothing. The Bears have done this three years running, but this year feels different. It started with the hiring of Ben Johnson and continued with their approach to rebuilding areas of need. For the first time in a long while, the Bears appear to have a clear vision of how they want to proceed to build this time into a championship contender. They aggressively attacked areas of need but not just by throwing money at it. They were smart and selective. They went after high character players and players that Ben Johnson and Dennis Allen hand picked. It’s okay to be excited, Bears fans, this truly feels like a fresh start.