1 player from every NFC team the Bears could target in free agency
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NFL free agency is just days away, and the Chicago Bears are expected to continue their roster makeover and address multiple areas of need on their team.
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Chicago had plenty of success last offseason, not only bringing in head coach Ben Johnson to lead the team but making several changes to the offensive line that helped catapult early success in Johnson's first year. Now, as it usually does around the league, teams with success face multiple changes to their roster year in and year out, and the Bears will be faced with plenty of decisions to make.
With free agency around the corner, we at Bears Wire are starting to survey the market and have put together the best free agent from each team in the NFC.
Arizona Cardinals: RB Michael Carter
The Bears seem to have their running back situation figured out, with veteran D'Andre Swift and 2025 seventh-round pick Kyle Monangai leading their backfield. Behind Swift and Monangai there are plenty of questions, but the Bears can hope to land Carter at a very affordable price, to not only provide depth at the position, but also can be a standout special teams contributor.
Atlanta Falcons: LB Kaden Elliss
Last year, the Bears were able to snag two free agents from the Atlanta Falcons, bringing in center Drew Dalman and defensive tackle Grady Jarrett. That trend can continue this season, if Chicago wants to rebuild their linebacker position in case of a departure from Tremaine Edmunds this offseason. Elliss has totaled over 100 tackles in each of the last 3 seasons with the Falcons, and added 12.5 sacks and has made quite the career for himself after being a former seventh round pick in the 2019 season of the New Orleans Saints.
Carolina Panthers: S Nick Scott
Chicago is facing big concerns in their defensive secondary, especially at the safety position with both Jaquan Brisker and Kevin Byard both facing free agency. Nick Scott however, could be quite the underrated signing, coming off a career year for Carolina where he totaled 111 tackles and 1 interception in 17 regular season games. He's had previous championship experience, winning a Super Bowl title with the Los Angeles Rams in the 2021 season.
Chicago Bears: S Kevin Byard
If the Bears can only re-sign one of their pending free agents, veteran safety Kevin Byard is the easy answer. Byard is coming off an All-Pro season with Chicago, where he led the NFL in interjections (7) and played a key role in the league's best takeaway defense. Byard has showed up on the field both as a player and a leader, and bringing him back would be smart for the Bears. That, coupled with the fact that Chicago has zero safeties under contract, it's an easy move.
Dallas Cowboys: LB Kenneth Murray
Most of Chicago's focus at the linebacker position has to be with veterans who are more affordable than the bigger names on the market. Kenneth Murray has only played two full seasons in his six-year career, and spent the 2025 season with the Dallas Cowboys, totaling 81 tackles and 1 sack on the year. Murray may not get an opportunity to start in Chicago, but he would certainly help the depth.
Detroit Lions: WR Kalif Raymond
Could Ben Johnson be reunited with a former high-powered weapon for him back from his time in Detroit? Raymond would serve as a replacement for the veteran wide receivers that Chicago stands to lose this offseason, Olamide Zaccheaus and Devin Duvernay, if either do in fact leave. Raymond would be a fun fit in Johnson's offense especially with his speed and versatility.
Green Bay Packers: RB Emanuel Wilson
Another running back option that may be valuable as a special teams and depth option, Wilson's status with the Packers may come into question after they just re-signed Chris Brooks, another running back who was facing free agency.
Los Angeles Rams: S Kamren Curl
On Wednesday, the Rams made a blockbuster trade to land All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie from the Kansas City Chiefs, and they won't be able to afford everyone in their defensive secondary. The Bears are facing a big need at the safety position, and Kamren Curl would be quite the get for the franchise.
Minnesota Vikings: LB Eric Wilson
Eric Wilson has been well traveled through the NFC North, including two stints with the Minnesota Vikings, and one with the Green Bay Packers. He could join his third team of the division, coming off a big year in his veteran career, totaling 115 tackles for Minnesota last season. The last three seasons, Wilson has played in all 17 regular season games, which would answer a big question of availability that hurt Chicago's linebacker core this past year.
New Orleans Saints: CB Alontae Taylor
There were reports that the Bears tried to swing a deal for Taylor prior to the 2025 trade deadline, and if they could get him this offseason, he'd be reunited with defensive coordinator Dennis Allen. The cornerback position is not of the biggest need for Chicago just yet, but if Nahshon Wright or any others were to depart, Taylor would be an intriguing fit.
New York Giants: LB Bobby Okereke
Back to the list of available linebackers, and Chicago wouldn't have to wait to make a push for Okereke who was released earlier this week. Okereke has been a standout linebacker dating back to the beginning of his career with the Indianapolis Colts, and had quite the season for the New York Giants last year, totaling 143 tackles, 2 interceptions, and 1 sack for a Giants defense that flew under the radar.
Philadelphia Eagles: EDGE Jaelan Phillips
One of the most intriguing names at the edge rusher position, Phillips was acquired by the Eagles in a mid-season trade, but had been rumored in whispers about a link to Chicago last year. The Bears best option would be to focus on the defensive trenches in the draft, but if they can find young talent such as Phillips at the right price, it wouldn't hurt at all to bring him in.
San Francisco 49ers: LT Trent Williams or RB Brian Robinson
This is where things start to get a bit interesting and intriguing, if the 49ers can not come to terms with veteran free agent left tackle, Trent Williams. While he has yet to officially hit the market yet, Williams should become the main priority and target for Chicago if he does, which would answer a big question mark at the left tackle spot. If Williams does not hit the open market, then running back Brian Robinson would be a valuable depth piece at running back.
Seattle Seahawks: CB Tariq Woolen
A name that was linked to Chicago leading up to last year's trade deadline, Tariq Woolen had an up-and-down career with the Seattle Seahawks that ended with a Super Bowl championship. Woolen's price didn't skyrocket with his team's success, but he could be a great match to pair with defensive backs coach Al Harris, who could unlock his best potential.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: WR Mike Evans
Dreaming big on this one, but remember the impact that Keenan Allen had as a veteran wide receiver for Chicago, before Ben Johnson arrived? If DJ Moore is traded away, the team will likely lean on Rome Odunze and Luther Burden to carry their wide receiver room, but what if there's a possibility of adding a player at the level of Mike Evans? A future Hall Of Famer, Evans will likely want to chance a Super Bowl ring toward the end of his career, and it'd be interesting to see if he had any interest in joining Ben Johnson's offense.
Washington Commanders: CB Marshon Lattimore
A former New Orleans Saint who had plenty of success under Dennis Allen, Marshon Lattimore is set to hit the free agency market and just like Alontae Taylor, could benefit from a reunion. Lattimore could be quite expensive given his history of stellar play, but his recent injury history could lead to an opportunity for Chicago to strike and bring him in.
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears free agency: 1 player from every NFC team to target