An ESPN top free-agent ranking predictably connects the Bears to the priciest available offensive line help—a move that would mark a shift from Ryan Poles’ usual approach.
Linking the Bears to offensive linemen in free agency is an obvious move, especially given their strong salary cap situation.
The Bears have traditionally been cautious about making big free-agent splashes. As Ryan Poles emphasized at the start of his tenure, spending should be strategic and wisely allocated.
Now is the time for a careful, strategic approach—especially when it comes to investing in the offensive line.
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, “some inside the league” believe the Bears could target Kansas City guard Trey Smith, who ranks as the No. 2 free agent on Matt Bowen’s list released Wednesday.
Bowen notes that Trey Smith is the No. 1 overall free agent on some teams’ lists. Fowler’s link between Smith and the Bears is partly due to Smith being drafted while Ryan Poles was involved in the Chiefs’ personnel department.
The Bears have plenty of financial flexibility, with $54.2 million in effective cap space for 2025, according to Overthecap.com. That figure ranks seventh in the league and is expected to rise further as the team moves on from players who are no longer in their plans.
Fowler also suggests that the Bears might have interest in Falcons center Drew Dalman, who ranks 27th on Matt Bowen’s list of top free agents.
Despite a shortened season due to an ankle injury, Dalman is still considered the top-graded center available in free agency, according to both ESPN and PFF. This could make him an appealing target for the Bears as they look to bolster their offensive line.
Fowler points out that Chicago needs to strengthen its interior offensive line, with New England also potentially being in the market for center help. This could set up a competitive race for a player like Dalman.
Bowen highlights Dalman’s impressive 95.1% pass block win rate from last season, ranking him ninth among centers. This would represent a clear upgrade over Coleman Shelton, who ranked in the middle of the pack on Pro Football Focus.
Teven Jenkins is another point of interest in Bowen’s rankings. While he ranks 25th on Pro Football Focus’ free-agent list, he falls to 41st on Bowen’s, suggesting a bit of disparity in how Jenkins’ value is perceived across different outlets. This could impact the Bears’ approach to re-signing or replacing him.
Bowen notes that Jenkins’ injury history, which has kept him out of 30 games over his career, contributed to his lower ranking. His limited availability likely raises concerns for teams considering him in free agency, despite his potential when healthy.
While Bowen ranks wide receiver Keenan Allen at No. 49 on his free-agent list, there’s no speculation or reporting on where he might land next. His future remains uncertain, with many teams likely keeping an eye on his situation as he continues to play at a high level.
