The Chicago Bears were one of the busiest teams in the NFL on the first day of the 2023 free-agency negotiation period. General manager Ryan Poles signed four players, including linebackers Tremaine Edmunds and TJ Edwards, guard Nate Davis, and defensive lineman Demarcus Walker.
Edmunds, Edwards and Davis will be starters in 2023, and Walker has a chance to be a first-teamer as well.
Combined with the trade that sent the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft to the Carolina Panthers for wide receiver D.J. Moore and a bounty of draft picks over the next three drafts, the Chicago Bears are a much better team today than they were one week ago.
But there's still room for improvement, and fortunately for Poles and the Bears, plenty of quality -- if not top-tier -- free agents are still available. Here are five they should consider on Day 2.
Kaleb McGary, RT
The best right tackle remaining on the free-agent market, McGary was considered by some to be the top player at his position in free agency. He remains unsigned entering Day 2, which may be more about his asking price than the demand for his services. McGary had a career year in 2022 and is more run blocker than pass protector, but he'd be an instant upgrade over Larry Borom and Riley Rieff.
Orlando Brown, OT
Brown is the top left tackle in 2023's free agent class, but the Chicago Bears may want him to play right tackle if signed. It remains to be seen if Brown would be open to that shift. It's not too often that an offensive tackle with Brown's pedigree hits the open market. If anyone knows what he offers, it's Ryan Poles. If he passes on Brown, it should be buyer-beware around the NFL.
Mike Gesicki, TE
The Bears didn't add any skill players on Day 1, and I think that'll change very soon. There aren't any traditional wide receivers in free agency who warrant a big payday, making former Dolphins tight end Mike Gesicki the best route to upgrade Justin Fields' pass catchers on the open market. The 6-6 athlete was a misfit in Miami coach Mike McDaniels' offense last year, which could force him to sign a one-year prove-it deal. That could be just what the Bears are looking for as they decide whether to extend Cole Kmet.
Yannick Ngakoue, Edge
The Chicago Bears added Demarcus Walker on the first day of free agency, but there's a chance he plays more reps inside at defensive tackle than at defensive end. Enter Ngakoue, who may be the best pure pass-rusher in this year's free-agent market. The Bears finished last in sacks in 2022; Ngakoue is a natural target.
Miles Sanders, RB
David Montgomery fans may not like this, but Sanders is the most explosive running back available in free agency. If the Bears want juice and field-flipping ability out of the backfield, Sanders is the guy. Don't get me wrong, running back isn't a priority at this point in the roster-building process. But Sanders will level up the offense's scoring ability. And points matter.