CHICAGO — The silence in the locker room said it all. After a crushing 27-24 Divisional Round loss to the Los Angeles Rams last month, the Chicago Bears entered the 2026 offseason with a bitter taste in their mouths. They didn’t just lose a game; they squandered a legitimate window. Now, with the legal tampering period opening in exactly three weeks, General Manager Ryan Poles faces the most critical March of his tenure.
Last year, Poles earned his paycheck by snagging center Drew Dalman and swinging the trades for Jonah Jackson and “Protector of the Year” Joe Thuney. Those moves transformed the offensive line from a liability into a fortress. But to get past the NFC juggernauts, the Bears need more than just a sturdy line they need finishers. The Bears have cap space, but they can’t just throw cash at the problem; they need calculated strikes.
Based on our film review and market analysis, here are four underrated free agents who fit the Bears’ aggressive 2026 timeline perfectly.
1. Alex Anzalone — The General (LB, Detroit Lions)
Let’s address the elephant in the room: Tremaine Edmunds hasn’t lived up to the contract. If the Bears cut ties for cap relief, they need a plug-and-play leader. Alex Anzalone isn’t just a replacement; he’s an upgrade in grit. The Lions’ defensive captain has worn the “green dot” for years, communicating plays and aligning the defense with military precision.
Despite missing seven games in 2024, Anzalone bounced back in 2025 to finish second among all linebackers in pressure rate. He doesn’t just tackle; he shoots gaps and disrupts backfields. With a projected market value of $7.3 million, he offers elite leadership at half the price of Edmunds. Stealing a captain from a division rival? That’s just a bonus.
2. Jaylinn Hawkins — The Ballhawk (S, New England Patriots)
The writing is on the wall for Jaquan Brisker. With Kevin Byard likely returning, Chicago needs a safety who complements Byard’s range without breaking the bank. Jaylinn Hawkins is that guy. Fresh off a Super Bowl run with the Patriots, Hawkins played the best football of his career in 2025. He snagged four interceptions and suffocated opposing quarterbacks, allowing a passer rating of just 73.7 when targeted.
Relying on a rookie safety to start Day 1 is a gamble a playoff team shouldn’t take. Hawkins brings veteran savvy and a knack for being in the right place at the right time. His $8.3 million price tag is steep for a “budget” option, but for a secondary that needs turnovers, he’s worth every penny.
3. John Franklin-Myers — The Pocket Collapser (DT, Denver Broncos)
The Bears’ defensive line ran out of gas against the Rams. They need a rotational monster who can ruin a quarterback’s rhythm from the inside. Enter John Franklin-Myers. He isn’t the flashiest name, but his consistency is terrifying. “JFM” has logged at least 50 pressures every season from 2020 through 2024, and he racked up seven sacks in each of his two seasons in Denver.
Franklin-Myers offers versatility that Dennis Allen’s scheme covets—he can line up inside or kick out to the edge on run downs. At a projected $7.9 million, he provides high-end production without the elite price tag. He’s the type of blue-collar disruptor who frees up edge rushers to feast.
4. Braxton Jones — The Anchor (OT, Chicago Bears)
You don’t let good left tackles walk. Period. The injury to rookie Ozzy Trapilo in the Wild Card round exposed just how fragile offensive line depth can be. Braxton Jones has been the blindside guardian for Caleb Williams for three years, and when healthy, he’s a wall. Before his brutal leg injury in December 2024, Jones posted an 80.2 PFF grade, ranking in the top 20 for all tackles.
Jones struggled slightly returning from injury in 2025, but a full offseason of rehab should restore his athleticism. With a market value of just $4.8 million, re-signing Jones is the easiest decision Poles will make this month. It ensures continuity for Williams and allows the Bears to focus their draft capital elsewhere.
“We built the foundation. Now we have to frame the house. We aren’t looking for guys who just want a paycheck; we’re looking for guys who want to hold that trophy. The standard has changed in Chicago.”
— Ryan Poles, Bears GM (Post-Season Press Conference, Jan 2026)
NHANFL Verdict: Super Bowl or Bust?
The Bears are done rebuilding. The 2025 Divisional Round exit wasn’t a “learning experience”—it was a missed opportunity. Signing Anzalone, Hawkins, Franklin-Myers, and Jones addresses the four biggest cracks in the roster with veteran cement. If Poles executes this plan, he doesn’t just improve the team on paper; he builds a roster capable of dethroning the Lions and making a run for Super Bowl LXI. The clock is ticking, and for the first time in years, Chicago is buying, not selling.
