Projecting the Bears' 2024 starting lineup as offseason program begins (2024)

The Bears finally made a decision at quarterback when they traded Justin Fields to the Steelers, an indication that Chicago is entering its Caleb Williams era. Williams is the best prospect in this draft class and some have touted him as a generational prospect. He’ll be tasked with starting immediately as a rookie, as Tyson Bagent would be the only other quarterback on the roster.

Chicago added a dynamic running back in Swift to kick off free agency, and he’ll serve as the new starting running back in Shane Waldron’s offense. Swift joins a running back group that also features Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson, giving the Bears a nice complement of backs with unique skillsets. Swift is coming off a career year, where he rushed for 1,000-plus yards, and he also gives Chicago a receiving threat out of the backfield.

There’s no disputing who’s WR1, as Moore is the most reliable passing catching option currently on the roster. Moore is coming off a career year, where he totaled 96 catches, 1,364 yards and eight touchdowns. He’s a playmaker in every sense, and he’ll be key to Caleb Williams’ rookie success.

The Bears made a splash trading for Allen during the first wave of free agency, which addressed a huge hole at receiver. Allen is a six-time Pro Bowler who’s consistently been one of the NFL’s best wideouts — and now he teams up with Moore. Allen is coming off a 1,000-yard season, where he played just 13 games in 2023. While Allen has just one year left on his current contract, the expectation is Chicago will at some point sign him to a contract extension after giving up a fourth-round pick for him.

While Chicago made a huge addition with Allen, look for the Bears to double-dip at receiver this offseason. Which means they’ll likely add a rookie in the NFL draft. If things go right, Chicago might be able to snag wither Malik Nabers or Rome Odunze, who would be WR1 prospects any other draft cycle. If they’re both off the board, the Bears could trade back and still land a playmaker, like Brian Thomas Jr. or Xavier Worthy. Imagine that cast of weapons for Williams.

After signing a four-year contract extension, Kmet went on to have his best season with the Bears. He emerged as a true threat in the passing game, setting career highs with 73 catches for 719 yards while adding six touchdowns. He’ll again be a focal point in 2024. And he’ll work with a new face that will serve as the perfect complement to his skillset: Gerald Everett, who signed with the team this offseason.

Jones, a former fifth-round pick, has been a solid left tackle for the Bears, and the assumption right now is he’ll once again be the guy in 2024. But we know Poles is always looking to upgrade positions — especially premium ones — and we could very well see Chicago land a top tackle prospect in the draft. Poles noted offensive tackle is the deepest position group in this draft class.

Jenkins has been the Bears’ best offensive lineman for the past couple of seasons, and hopefully he won’t have to make a position switch for the third straight year. Jenkins has been solid both at left guard and right guard, where his only issue has been staying healthy. He’s still yet to play an entire season, which could very well explain the Ryan Bates trade, as the team looks to lock down a key reserve.

It certainly looks like there will be competition at center between newcomers Shelton and Bates. Right now, the edge goes to Shelton, who was the starting center for the Rams over the past two years. There will certainly be competition between Shelton and Bates, but Shelton’s experience is why I have him penciled in as the starting center.

Davis signed with the Bears last offseason, where he was expected to shore up the right guard position. But due to personal matters and later injury, Davis was never able to really settle into his role and notably struggled. While Chicago could very well find an upgrade at guard, Davis’ cap hit ($11.35 million with a dead money hit of $11 million) certainly would make it difficult for the team to part ways with him. But that doesn’t mean there won’t be competition, perhaps from Bates.

Wright was Chicago’s top draft pick last year, and he more than lived up to the hype. Wright had an impressive rookie year, where he was the only offensive lineman to play in every game last season and showed plenty of promise. While Wright did have his rookie moments, he showed solid development and the potential to be a franchise right tackle for the Bears.

Sweat is coming off a monster year where he had a career-high 12.5 sacks — leading both the Bears (6.0) and Commanders (6.5) in sacks and earned his first Pro Bowl nod in 2023. Outside of his individual production, Sweat’s presence opened up opportunities for others around him to thrive, as evidenced by the defense’s success late in the season. After acquiring Sweat via a trade with the Commanders, Chicago inked him to a mega extension that keeps him with the Bears through 2027.

The Bears need to find a complement to Sweat off the edge, and after not addressing the position in free agency, they could target an option in the NFL draft. Chicago is in prime position to land a top edge rusher at ninth overall, where guys like Alabama’s Dallas Turner, Florida State’s Jared Verse and UCLA’s Laiatu Latu should be available. But if they opt to forgo an edge rusher at No. 9, DeMarcus Walker will once again be a top option to start opposite Sweat (or perhaps even re-signing Yannick Ngakoue to a one-year deal.)

Following Justin Jones’ departure in free agency, the Bears have a hole at three-technique alongside nose tackle Andrew Billings. Chicago failed to address the defensive interior through the first wave of free agency, which means Dexter is in line to get the start, perhaps in a rotational role with fellow 2023 draft class mate, Zacch Pickens. The Bears will likely address the position again at some point this offseason, if only for depth, but right now it’s looking like Dexter is in line to start.

Billings proved to be a force in the middle of Chicago’s defensive line, which quickly earned him a two-year contract extension during the 2023 season. Billings played a key role in the Bears’ improved run defense, which went from second to last in the NFL in 2022 to the league’s best in 2023.

Edwards proved to be Poles’ best free-agent addition last year, where he was a key part of the team’s revamped run defense that was the best in the NFL. Edwards totaled a team-high 155 tackles (seventh most in the NFL), including eight tackles for loss, seven pass breakups and one forced fumble. He also set career highs in sacks (2.5), interceptions (3) and QB hits (8) and fumble recoveries (2). And Chicago got Edwards at an absolute bargain.

Edmunds was the Chicago’s biggest splash signing last offseason. He totaled 113 tackles, second only to Edwards, including five tackles for loss, seven pass breakups, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. Edmunds proved to be a takeaway machine for the Bears, tying for a team-best (and career high) four interceptions, including his first career defensive touchdown.

With the additions of Edwards and Edmunds in free agency, Sanborn was relegated to more of a rotational role on defense last year. But he still had opportunities to make plays, flashing what made him so special as a rookie with his instincts and tackling. Sanborn could face some competition from Noah Sewell in training camp. But I’m penciling him in as the starting SAM linebacker for the 2024 season.

Johnson agreed to a four-year, $76 million contract extension, keeping him in Chicago through 2027. That’s big news for a young, ascending Bears defense that gets back one of its best defensive players and a key leader in the secondary. Johnson is coming off a career year, where he had a career-high four interceptions and was the NFL’s best cover cornerback, earning All-Pro and Pro Bowl nods. He’ll be key to the success of a defense looking to make a leap to a top-10 unit.

Stevenson, who Chicago traded up for in the draft, had his early rookie struggles but really came into his own over the final seven weeks of the season. Stevenson recorded four interceptions — tied for a team high — during that span. He also totaled 16 pass breakups on the season, which tied Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon for a rookie best and fifth most in the league. Stevenson earned NFL Defensive Player of the Week honors for his impressive outing against the Falcons in Week 17. He’s a young player on the rise, and he’ll be a key contributor in the secondary.

Gordon settled into the nickel cornerback role in his second season, where he was able to focus on just one position unlike his rookie season where he toggled back and forth between outside and nickel. While he missed the first month with a broken hand, he came back stronger — delivering brutal hits and thriving as a run stopper. He really settled in down the stretch as part of a young, ascending secondary.

Brisker was the Bears’ best rookie in 2022, and he built on his performance in Year 2. While he got off to a slow start with his share of highs and lows, he really hit his stride in the second half of the season. Brisker’s high-level, physical play served as a tone-setter for a secondary that made huge strides during the defense’s late-season turnaround.

The Bears shored up the biggest hole in the secondary with the addition of Byard, an All-Pro safety who signed before the official start of free agency. Byard brings a strong veteran presence to the secondary and will serve as an ideal complement to Jaquan Brisker. He’s the final piece of a young, ascending Chicago secondary that could make waves this season.

Santos has been a reliable kicker for the Bears over the last four years, which is why he earned a three-year contract extension last season. Last year, Santos connected on 35-of-38 field goals (92.1%) and 31-of-33 extra points.

Gill is coming off a solid sophom*ore season at punter, where he averaged 46.1 yards per punt. He hit a career best with a 76-yard punt. Gill had eight touchdowns (up from three his rookie season) and downed 18 punts inside the 20-yard line (down two from his rookie year).

Scales has been a mainstay with the Bears since joining them in 2015, and he was re-signed to a one-year deal. Scales is coming off another solid year with Chicago, where he’s now the longest-tenured player on the roster.