Bears' Team Needs to Fill in 2024 NFL Free Agency

The Chicago Bears will use NFL free agency to build up the supporting cast around whomever the 2024 starting quarterback is.

Regardless if Justin Fields or Caleb Williams is under center, the Bears need a more robust set of playmakers on offense.

The D.J. Moore trade last offseason was a step in the right direction, but the Bears must add more help around their No. 1 wide receiver and tight end Cole Kmet.

The Bears must also continue to be aggressive on the defensive free-agent market. An improved defense will go a long way in helping whomever starts at quarterback.

General manager Ryan Poles made a handful of big signings on defense in the last 12 months and that trend should not change as the Bears try to reach the playoffs in 2024.

No. 2 Wide Receiver

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GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 07: DJ Moore #2 of the Chicago Bears runs with the ball in the first half against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on January 07, 2024 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)

The Bears are part of a handful of NFL teams in need of additional help at wide receiver in 2024.

Chicago will be competition with both New York teams, New England and a few others to sign the best wide outs in free agency.

The Bears will not go after Tee Higgins or Mike Evans, but everyone else should receive a call in the franchise's bid to help D.J. Moore.

Chicago will lose Darnell Mooney to free agency, so that means no other returning wide receiver had over 200 yards in 2023.

Curtis Samuel, Josh Reynolds, Michael Thomas and D.J. Chark fit the profile of wide receiver the Bears should sign.

Samuel is the best second-tier option on the market, but if he signs elsewhere, the Bears could look to Reynolds in an attempt to weaken their NFC North rival, the Detroit Lions, while adding to their pass-catching corps.

Defensive Line

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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - DECEMBER 10: Yannick Ngakoue #91 and Jack Sanborn #57 of the Chicago Bears celebrate a defensive stop during the fourth quarter in the game against the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field on December 10, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

The Bears could lose six sacks worth of production in free agency.

That does not seem like much, but Yannick Ngakoue and Rasheem Green were third and sixth on the team in sacks in 2023.

Those totals speak to where the Bears must improve on defense compared to their NFC North rivals.

Chicago needs a nastier pass-rush and it has a massive amount of salary cap space to chase Chris Jones and the other top defensive line free agents.

The Bears were aggressive in the midseason trade market and added Montez Sweat, who then signed a contract extension.

Adding someone of Jones' caliber to that pass-rush would instantly improve the unit.

If Jones is not available to the Bears, Brian Burns and Justin Madubuike should receive serious looks.

An addition of one of the top defensive line free agents would provide another jolt to a unit that improved in 2023.

Defensive Back

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MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - NOVEMBER 27: Jaylon Johnson #33 of the Chicago Bears celebrates his interception against the Minnesota Vikings in the first half at U.S. Bank Stadium on November 27, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Bears defeated the Vikings 12-10. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

Jaylon Johnson is the top free agent headed out of Chicago.

The Bears can try to re-sign Johnson because they have $82 million worth of projected salary cap space, per Spotrac, but they could use those funds at other positions.

Chicago is not in a bad spot at corner with Kyler Gordon and Tyrique Stevenson in place, but it could use some depth behind them.

The Bears could use some extra help at safety after the release of Eddie Jackson.

The team is better suited to chase after top-tier defensive free agents if offense will be the target of the two top-10 picks.

Chicago could come away from the 2024 NFL draft with a new quarterback and wide receiver, and if that is the plan, it must reinforce all layers of the defense with its salary cap space.