Ranking the Chicago Bears’ Most Impactful 2026 Free Agency Moves
From Coby Bryant to Devin Bush, here’s a ranked breakdown of the Bears’ most impactful 2026 free agency moves and what they mean for the Chicago Bears' future.
General manager Ryan Poles didn’t chase headlines for the Chicago Bears in 2026 free agency. He managed a roster that's still in transition, replaced key departures, and positioned the team for a 2026 draft that will ultimately define the offseason.
But not all moves carry equal weight.
Here’s a ranking of the most impactful moves the Bears made in free agency, based on production, fit, and what they mean for where this team is headed.
1. Signing Coby Bryant (3 years, $40M)
Coby Bryant could end up defining the Bears' offseason.
Chicago lost veteran leadership and playmaking in the secondary, and Bryant steps in as more than just a replacement. Over the past two seasons, he’s recorded 7 interceptions and 7 pass breakups, while posting PFF grades above 70 in back-to-back years, a strong indicator that he'll, at worst, be a consistent defender.
Bryant also arrives from the Super Bowl-winning Seattle Seahawks. He'll help level up the culture.
For a Bears defense that led the NFL with 33 takeaways in 2025, maintaining that identity was critical. Bryant gives defensive coordinator Dennis Allen a versatile piece who can play deep, rotate into the box, and create turnovers.
2. Signing Devin Bush (3 years, $30M)
This might end up being the best value move of the entire offseason.
Devin Bush finished the 2025 season with an 87.6 overall PFF grade, ranking 4th among linebackers, with top-10 marks in both run defense and coverage. That’s elite production at a non-elite price point.
He also posted 125 tackles and 3 interceptions, including 2 defensive touchdowns, showing impact beyond just analytics.
The Bears needed a linebacker who could stay on the field and function in space. Bush does that, and he does it at a level that suggests he could outperform his contract.
3. Trading for Garrett Bradbury
Garrett Bradbury wasn't a flashy addition, but he was a necessary one.
After Drew Dalman unexpectedly retired at 27, the Bears had a problem in the middle of their offensive line. Poles solved it quickly, sending a 2027 fifth-round pick to the New England Patriots for Bradbury.
Bradbury brings starting experience and stability, two things you can’t compromise when you’re protecting a quarterback like Caleb Williams heading into Year 3.
Will he be as good as Dalman was in 2025? Probably not. But it could be a lot worse without him.
4. Trading D.J. Moore to the Buffalo Bills
The Chicago Bears dealt DJ Moore and a 2026 fifth-round pick to the Bills for a 2026 second-round selection, prioritizing flexibility over immediate production. Moore was a proven weapon, but his contract and long-term fit made this a calculated decision.
The result? The Bears now hold four picks inside the top 89 of the 2026 NFL Draft.
That matters more than it sounds.
Poles is betting that he can replace Moore’s production with the young pass-catchers already on the roster and through the draft while building a deeper, more sustainable squad around Williams.
5. Letting Kevin Byard and Tremaine Edmunds Walk
Chicago allowed multiple defensive starters to leave in free agency, including Byard and Edmunds. That’s a risk for a unit that led the league in takeaways, but it also reflects a shift toward younger, more cost-effective players.
It was a recalibration more than anything else.
The Bears replaced production with upside, betting that players like Bryant and Bush can maintain—or even elevate—the defense.
The Bigger Picture: A Setup, Not a Finish
This wasn’t a “win now” free agency period for the Chicago Bears. It was a set-the-table offseason.
The Bears:
- Stabilized key positions
- Replaced departing veterans
- Added value contracts
- Stockpiled draft capital
Now it comes down to what happens next: the 2026 NFL Draft.
