2026 NFL Power Rankings Reveal Where Bears Really Stand After Free Agency
Pro Football Focus ranks the Bears 15th after free agency, highlighting key roster moves, defensive losses, and what comes next in the 2026 NFL Draft.
In its post-free agency power rankings, Pro Football Focus placed the Chicago Bears at No. 15, a reflection of an offseason that was more about managing change than making headlines.
That’s not a bad thing.
But it does explain why Chicago feels like a team still searching for its next step.
Drew Dalman’s Retirement Forced the Bears to Pivot Quickly
The Chicago Bears’ offseason didn’t start on their terms.
When center Drew Dalman unexpectedly retired at just 27, it created an immediate hole in the middle of the offensive line. General manager Ryan Poles responded quickly, trading a 2027 fifth-round pick to the New England Patriots for veteran center Garrett Bradbury.
It wasn’t flashy, but it was necessary.
For a team entering Year 2 under head coach Ben Johnson, stabilizing the offensive line in front of Caleb Williams was non-negotiable.
D.J. Moore Trade Reshapes Chicago Bears’ NFL Draft Strategy
Then came the biggest offensive move of the offseason.
The Bears traded D.J. Moore to the Buffalo Bills, along with a 2026 fifth-round pick, in exchange for a 2026 second-round selection.
It’s a move that cuts both ways.
Chicago loses a proven, high-level target for Williams, but gains valuable draft capital in a class that could define the next phase of this rebuild. That second-round pick now becomes one of the most important assets Poles holds heading into April.
Defensive Losses Put Pressure on Bears’ Identity
If there’s one area where PFF’s ranking carries the most weight, it’s on defense.
The Bears lost key contributors, including Kevin Byard and Tremaine Edmunds. Cornerback Nahshon Wright also departed after a breakout season that included five interceptions and a Pro Bowl nod.
That’s significant for a unit that led the league in takeaways.
PFF specifically pointed to those departures as a reason to question whether Chicago can replicate that production in 2026, especially after finishing 29th in yards per play allowed last season.
Coby Bryant and Devin Bush Aim to Stabilize the Bears' Defense
To their credit, the Bears didn’t stand still.
Chicago signed Coby Bryant away from the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks on a three-year, $40 million deal. Bryant has posted PFF grades above 70 in back-to-back seasons, totaling seven interceptions and seven pass breakups over that stretch.
He brings versatility and playmaking ability to a secondary that needed both.
At linebacker, the Bears added Devin Bush on a three-year, $30 million deal to replace Edmunds. Bush offers range and upside, and there’s a realistic path for him to outperform what Chicago got from the position last season.
Still, these moves feel more like stabilizers than game-changers.
Why the No. 15 Ranking Feels About Right
This is where the ranking lands. The Chicago Bears addressed immediate needs:
- Offensive line stability
- Secondary reinforcement
- Additional draft capital
But they didn’t clearly elevate the roster’s ceiling.
That’s the balance PFF captured at No. 15: the Chicago Bears are a team that improved its floor but still has questions to answer.
The 2026 NFL Draft Will Define This Bears Team
Ultimately, this offseason was always going to lead here.
The Chicago Bears hold four picks in the top 89 of the 2026 NFL Draft, giving Poles real flexibility to reshape key areas of the roster.
If Williams takes a Year 3 leap and the draft delivers impact talent, this No. 15 ranking could look conservative in hindsight.
If not, it may prove to be exactly where the Bears belong.
