Detroit, MI
NFC NORTH: Recapping the first few days of free agency
The first wave of free agency is in the books, and all four teams in the NFC North have begun shaping their rosters for the 2026 season.
Here’s a look at how rosters have changed throughout the division:
CHICAGO
2025 record: 11-6 (division champs)
Top re-signings: DL Daniel Hardy, T Braxton Jones, DB Elijah Hicks, LB D’Marco Jackson, QB Case Keenum, OL Jordan McFadden
Key free-agent additions: C Garrett Bradbury (via trade), S Coby Bryant, LB Devin Bush, WR Kalif Raymond, DT Neville Gallimore, DB Cam Lewis, EDGE Kentavius Street, T Jedrick Wills Jr.
Free-agent losses: S Kevin Byard, CB Nahshon Wright, LB Tremaine Edmunds, WR Olamide Zaccheaus, EDGE Dominique Robinson, DT Chris Williams, TE Durham Smythe
Twentyman’s take: The Bears did a nice job of replacing the retired Drew Dalman by trading for Bradbury, a veteran with seven years of experience and 105 starts under his belt. Bryant and Bush are nice additions to the defense, and Raymond is a sneaky signing that improves Chicago’s depth at receiver and gives head coach Ben Johnson a speedy weapon to deploy on both offense and special teams.
Chicago could still use more talent/depth on defense but there’s still the second and third wave of free agency and next month’s NFL Draft to fill in some of the holes.