The Chicago Bears have made significant strides in the 2025 offseason, elevating their position as one of the most improved teams in the NFL. General Manager Ryan Poles has been busy, making a series of roster upgrades that have left fans optimistic about the upcoming season. Among the most noteworthy additions are All-Pro left guard Joe Thuney, former All-Pro right guard Jonah Jackson, and top free agent center Drew Dalman, vastly improving the Bears' offensive line.
According to Sports Illustrated, the Bears were ranked fourth among the most improved teams from the 2025 NFL offseason, a testament to the impactful changes made. "On paper, the Bears drastically improved their offensive line by signing Dalman," wrote Gilberto Manzano. He emphasized that adding veteran talent like Thuney from Kansas City and taking a chance on Jackson—who is reuniting with Coach Ben Johnson after a rocky stint in Los Angeles—demonstrates Poles' commitment to reshaping the offensive line, aiming to protect their promising franchise quarterback, Caleb Williams.
Williams, who had a challenging rookie season marred by 68 sacks, is expected to have a significantly better season in 2025. The improvement in his protection is likely to bring about the performance that fans wholeheartedly anticipate. With these upgrades, the Bears aim to flip the narrative around the franchise that has struggled for consistency in recent years. Adding a blue-chip player with the 10th overall pick in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft will further bolster this optimism for Chicago fans.
But the Bears' resurgence isn’t limited to their offense. Head Coach Ben Johnson's strategic focus on special teams has been equally impactful. Retaining special teams coordinator Richard Hightower has paid off, with the unit ranked among the top ten last season. Johnson and Poles are focused on enhancing the special teams, signing two-time Pro Bowl returner Devin Duvernay, who brings a formidable speed element to the return units. Duvernay has an impressive history, recorded two career kickoff return touchdowns with an average of 24.9 yards, plus a solid 12.0 yards per punt return—ranking sixth in NFL history.
The Bears have also made significant moves by re-signing four of their top special teams tacklers, which is vital for maintaining the continuity of this essential phase. Daniel Hardy and Amen Ogbongbemiga both registered 11 total tackles last season, while Tarvarius Moore and Josh Blackwell chipped in with 7 total tackles each. Elijah Hicks and Travis Homer also contributed effectively, and their ongoing presence will assist in reshaping the special teams dynamics heading into the new season.
Not all news has been positive, though. One of last season's key contributors, 24-year-old Jack Sanborn, signed with the Dallas Cowboys after the Bears opted against tendering him an offer that would have paid him $3.2 million. Despite this loss, hopeful fans are looking at Noah Sewell, a young linebacker who may step up in Sanborn's absence. Sewell showed promise last year, managing four tackles and a forced fumble in significantly fewer snaps than Sanborn, highlighting his potential to assume a more substantial role going forward.
With a rejuvenated roster and a strong focus on both offense and special teams, the Chicago Bears are setting themselves up for a promising season. The expected improvements in protection for Caleb Williams and the bolstered special teams unit are generating considerable excitement among fans. As the Bears prepare for the 2025 NFL Draft, the anticipation for what’s to come is palpable as they look to bring Chicago back to the forefront of the NFL landscape.
In addition, the Bears’ decision to elevate the importance of special teams under Ben Johnson is reflective of a broader trend in the league where teams are recognizing the critical impact that these units can have on games. Bolstering this underappreciated aspect shows that the Bears are not just focusing on the flashy offensive plays but are also keen on solidifying every phase of their game.
The Chicago Bears are indeed in an exciting moment, with new challenges and opportunities lying ahead. Ryan Poles' comprehensive strategy to upgrade the roster has given the franchise new hope, and with the NFL Draft on the horizon, fans can hardly contain their excitement. True, there’s always uncertainty in sports, and the Bears will have to perform on the field, but every signal points to a bright future for this storied franchise. Will this be the year that the Bears turn their fortunes around? Only time will tell.
