The 2025 Free Agency Thread

[Conn]

Well it certainly looks like the Bears are going all-in on their OL, living up to what Ben Johnson said:
- Thuney
- Jonah Jackson
According to some metrics, two of the best pass-blocking guards in the league:
According to ESPN Research, 94 players had at least 60 pass-block plays with a win or loss at guard last season. Jackson (98.5%) and Thuney (98.2%) had the two highest pass block win rates at guard of that group. Thuney, 32, is coming off back-to-back seasons as a first-team All-Pro selection. He also was selected to his third straight Pro Bowl in 2024.

Source: Bears trade for Chiefs All-Pro guard Joe Thuney

The Bears are trading a 2026 fourth-round pick to the Chiefs for two-time All-Pro guard Joe Thuney, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Wednesday.

www.espn.com

Unfortunately, while their OL needed help it’s really not the main contributor to Caleb Williams taking so many sacks, it’s part of his DNA as a player. That’s where Ben Johnson’s real challenge lies. These OL additions will help him build a good run game to take the pressure off of Caleb and help him play on-schedule, though. And that’s probably where he thinks “fixing him” starts.

 

[clskinsfan]

Bosa is intriguing. You just have to realize he is a 500 down player and use him accordingly. As a straight pass rush specialist you are not going to find better this offseason. I wouldnt hate signing him and bringing Fowler back to limit his downs.

Surprised by Keim not mentioning OL at all. They must feel pretty comfortable with what they have there. Or Keim just isnt getting the info he used to get from the team. Which I find far more likely. I cant see us going into the season with the same OL in place.

 

[DogofWar1]

Rumors are Seattle wants a 1st and 3rd for Metcalf and to that I say "NOOOOOOOOO THANKS BRUH"

Only way I consider that is if they sign him to a contract, pay him 100% of it up front, and then trade him so he's literally $0 against the cap for the new team.

 

[Chris 44]

Bosa is intriguing. You just have to realize he is a 500 down player and use him accordingly. As a straight pass rush specialist you are not going to find better this offseason. I wouldnt hate signing him and bringing Fowler back to limit his downs.

Surprised by Keim not mentioning OL at all. They must feel pretty comfortable with what they have there. Or Keim just isnt getting the info he used to get from the team. Which I find far more likely. I cant see us going into the season with the same OL in place.

Ref OL, I think that there isn't a whole hell of a lot out there that's not going to get our pants pulled down over the price or in a range where we will be picking in the draft. I cant imagine they are satisfied with what we currently have on the roster...then again who knows, they are very tight lipped? With all our own free agents pending its going to be a wild weekend and into next week.

 

[RWJ]

Keim's FA podcast this morning. Some takeaways. Most are obvious but he seems plugged in so for what its worth.

A. WR. He mentioned Slayton and Kirk. He said that's not per se what he's heard but either seems to fit. Expects Zaccheus and N. Brown back. Not sure about Dyami. He doesn't think they swing big again for a D. Adams type.

B. RB he expects them to take one in the draft.

C. TE. They want Ertz back and Bates. Thinks Ertz is back not as sure about Bates he expects some FA competiton. Like Logan Paulsen, Keim is always super polite but they both come off skeptical about Sinnott's development and feel that they should try to add a young TE.

D. DT. Thinks more of a 1 technique run stuffer type will be acquired. He's optimisitc (I assume that means the team is optimistic) about Newton. He played better as the season progressed. Because Newton is a 3 technqiue type he doesn't expect them to swing back in FA for another type ala a M. Williams.

E. Expects an edge to be signed. Thinks they are getting no takers for a trade for Jonathan Allen so he's likely to be released.

F. Thinks Wagner is likely back and they have some optimism that Mcgee could be his successor

G. Thinks they should add a corner

Focusing on the 1 tech DT, I really like Alred Collins from Texas in the draft but maybe Poona Ford fits too in FA.

 

[skinsinparadise]

I am surprised he named Zaccheus as being brought back right away like that. Noah seems an obvious resigning that I hope comes before March 12.

It sounds like Slayton is beginning to get more buzz which stinks because he'd be a great fit. How strong is the Kirk/Kliff connection? We will soon find out.

I expect to hear of the expected Ertz signing any day now.

I see Bates and Dyami getting paid big in FA, they are receiving buzz.

Any mention on the OL by chance?

Yeah forgot he mentioned they need 1. He was vague though on it. no names mentioned.

 

[skinsinparadise]

Seems like the top of FA they'd target.

 

[DWinzit]

Feels like the best way to look and FA and the draft with OL would be to stay focused on a new LG better than Allegretti and a new RT better than Wylie. If a LT possibility comes along, grab them. Then resign Lucas

 

[DWinzit]

Dayo has recently been linked to us a couple of times (in fit not being named by sources as us having interest) He shouldn'tt cost an arm and leg and be an answer to part of our D issues

 

[skinsinparadise]

Dayo has recently been linked to us a couple of times (in fit not being named by sources as us having interest) He shouldn'tt cost an arm and leg and be an answer to part of our D issues

Yeah I've seen his name pop up some too. I haven't given him much thought until recently. Sounds like he might get something in the 12-15 range. Can play outside and inside. He's one of the younger prospects in FA. Feels like a weapon that this defense can use. Seems to have a lot of links to GB in FA on twitter..

 

[skinsinparadise]

lol, maybe more than 12-15

 

[burgold]

I think your guess may be closer to the truth. At least it's possible, SIP. Everyone is touting the draft as being super deep at Defensive Tackle and Edge. If true, then teams may be less interested in pumping up the middle class or upper middle class of the D-Line free agent, when a shiny and cheap rookie is in their sights.

 

[Hail Raiser]

Dayo Odey would be a great signing and cheaper than Sweat (who I am really high on) and Lawrence (who'd be a great signing too).

Bosa is going to get very overpaid and not play enough and he's an absolute douchebottle of a person, so no thanks to that. Would rather have Fowler.

 

[Hail Raiser]

lol, maybe more than 12-15

That's still a home run if he upsides like he probably should. Kinda like the Eagles with Hargrave. 3/40 from the Steelers and he was worth every penny and a lot more, than goes as a FA to the 49ers for his career payday after the Eagles drafted his replacement.

$20 py is fair for a above average DE/DT and we can front load the hell out of it.

 

[skinsinparadise]

Dayo Odey would be a great signing and cheaper than Sweat (who I am really high on) and Lawrence (who'd be a great signing too).

Bosa is going to get very overpaid and not play enough and he's an absolute douchebottle of a person, so no thanks to that. Would rather have Fowler.

I've been back and forth on Sweat, never down on him but wondering if he's worth the big price he's likely going to get. In short, I am good with that as a signing if this FO is good with it. As I digest Sweat a bit more, I like his get off and he has really good bend. I don't think he's just a product of the rest of their D line.

D. Lawrence if healthy feels perfect. I think because of his age and recent injury he can be had for cheap in a 1 year prove it deal. He's so well rounded and killer good at setting the edge and stopping the run.

 

[skinsinparadise]

I think your guess may be closer to the truth. At least it's possible, SIP. Everyone is touting the draft as being super deep at Defensive Tackle and Edge. If true, then teams may be less interested in pumping up the middle class or upper middle class of the D-Line free agent, when a shiny and cheap rookie is in their sights.

Yeah its really tricky considering arguably the D line is both the strength of the draft AND FA.

For our purposes, If we both sign a good FA or two and D line and draft one or two, we can fix the D line in one off season. O line is so difficult. It's a "meh" FA class. And the draft is weak at tackle but arguably decent at OG -- considering all the tackles who are really more suited to guard in the pros. I do think there is some value in the late first or late 2nd for the O line in the draft. Draft doesn't feel deep at O line. Sort of D level FA for the O line. And maybe C minus draft for it.

 

[Hail Raiser]

I've been back and forth on Sweat, never down on him but wondering if he's worth the big price he's likely going to get. In short, I am good with that as a signing if this FO is good with it. As I digest Sweat a bit more, I like his get off and he has really good bend. I don't think he's just a product of the rest of their D line.

D. Lawrence if healthy feels perfect. I think because of his age and recent injury he can be had for cheap in a 1 year prove it deal. He's so well rounded and killer good at setting the edge and stopping the run.

Josh Sweat is a lot like Montez. Good at both the run and the rush, holds an edge and I think he's a reason for their line, as opposed to a product of it. I think he'll get overpaid, so I doubt we sign him.

I'd be fine with signing Lawrence and Campbell to OYDs and drafting DL more than once.

The Eagles didn't blitz one time in the SB and their DL ate big. It was everything ours was suppose to be.

Interesting how they're built. Tons of money on the O. Only team with more than 2 OL paid over $20py and all their weapons are signed to or past 2029 and the defense doesn't need to be paid big for a few more years. Also one of the youngest teams. Granted they're 10 years into this build, but it's perfect and they're going to be favorites for the next 5+ years.

 

[burgold]

If that's the case, this may be a better year to address our O-Line depth than our O-Line starters.

I wouldn't hate it. Coleman/Lucas, Allegretti, Biadazz, Cosmi, and Wylie actually acquitted themselves well in the first half of the year. Their problem was they wore down and got hurt. So, the Commanders C+ line became a C- line by the end. This became most apparent in the run game. Given this, we might be able to ride with last year's o line (plus a replacement for Cosmi) if we upgrade our back ups so there isn't as big a drop off when one gets injured. In an ideal world, it'd be nice to really upgrade the line, but if the talent isn't there then overpaying in free agency or draft picks might not help us much.

 

[skinsinparadise]

Josh Sweat is a lot like Montez. Good at both the run and the rush, holds an edge and I think he's a reason for their line, as opposed to a product of it. I think he'll get overpaid, so I doubt we sign him.

I'd be fine with signing Lawrence and Campbell to OYDs and drafting DL more than once.

The Eagles didn't blitz one time in the SB and their DL ate big. It was everything ours was suppose to be.

Interesting how they're built. Tons of money on the O. Only team with more than 2 OL paid over $20py and all their weapons are signed to or past 2029 and the defense doesn't need to be paid big for a few more years. Also one of the youngest teams. Granted they're 10 years into this build, but it's perfect and they're going to be favorites for the next 5+ years.

Yeah I recall last year both you and I were really high on Bobby Wagner as a potential signing even though it didn't feel sexy because of his age.

Calais Campbell, granted an even older player, to me is this version of that. Not sexy. Might feel to some like a yawn signing. But like Bobby he's still very good. And he's a leader on steroids -- even more famous for leading than Bobby. So he fits the build a culture theme.

They have a SB window here. In the past, I was more lukewarm about older player signings. Now, I am in on the right signing regardless of age.

D. Lawrence might be more apples to apples to the Wagner signing -- similar age, etc. A signing that I don't think moves the needle as to excitement with fans. But also he's another dude who has had a great career and can make an impact here.

Both moves would feel a bit full circle for this FO. With Calais we skipped on him in that draft -- and all of the guys we took instead busted and have been out of the league forever while Calais keeps going strong. Going way back to that Zorn era. D. Lawrence we skipped over for a trade with Dallas so they can take him so we can instead get Trent Murphy and change. Brings home how awful the previous regimes were at drafting. Who would think Ron would be the worst of them all?

Peters off to a great start. FA was awesome last year. Draft looks good. Not every pick will pan out but that's the same for every FO.

 

[HTTR]

Nobody seems to be talking about Dan Moore from Pittsburgh. Seems mediocre, but he’s only 26. Same age as Jedrick wills who was awful last year but was a top 10 pick when he came out. Since there’s likely no obvious upgrades to Wiley available, at least these guys have the upside to be that. I know they’re not exciting, but I really don’t want to go into the draft thinking we have to get an OT. We’ll end up reaching for one early instead of going BPA.