As the Chicago Bears prepare for the 2026 NFL season, key figures Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams are envisioning a Super Bowl run. However, to realize that goal, the Bears must make significant moves during the upcoming free agency period, focusing especially on strengthening their defense and addressing salary cap issues. According to FOX Sports NFL writer Greg Auman, Chicago is targeting crucial acquisitions, including a top pass rusher, to improve their roster.
The Bears’ Financial Position and Free Agency Strategy
Currently, the Bears are about $5 million above the salary cap, according to Over The Cap, which presents a challenge as they enter the free agency period. This financial constraint means they must carefully balance their signings and roster moves. Despite this, Auman’s predictions highlight four key free agents who could join or remain with Chicago to bolster the team’s chances heading into 2026.
Adding Cam Robinson to Strengthen the Offensive Line
One potential signing is offensive tackle Cam Robinson, ranked as the 85th-best free agent and the fourth-best at his position. Robinson, 30, has experienced a turbulent recent career, playing for four different teams in the last two years and finishing the 2025 season with the Cleveland Browns. His contract last year was $12 million, but he may accept a lower salary in pursuit of stability.
“Robinson, 30, has played for four teams in the last two seasons, and was twice traded before finishing 2025 in Cleveland. He’s gone from franchise tags to a $12 million contract last year, and he’ll likely take less than that as he searches for some stability. He has 114 career starts, and that kind of experience makes him a known commodity, which is valuable at tackle. Could the Bears, with injury concerns for at least the start of 2026, be a good match?”
Greg Auman, FOX Sports NFL writer
Robinson’s extensive starting experience offers Chicago a stable presence on the offensive front, particularly while facing early-season injury uncertainties.
Bringing Veteran Leadership with Linebacker Demario Davis
Another anticipated signing is linebacker Demario Davis from the New Orleans Saints, ranked 60th among free agents and sixth at the linebacker position. Despite being 37 years old, Davis impressed with a career-high 143 tackles during the 2025 season, showcasing rare durability and performance longevity at his position.
“Davis, still going at 37, managed to set a career high with 143 tackles for the Saints in 2025. He’s at an age where linebackers rarely exist, let alone play as actively as he does, and he’s hinted he’ll not only play again but test the free-agent waters. Davis deserves to finish with a contender — 227 career regular-season games, but only five in the playoffs, and two wins at that. He’s had six straight seasons with at least 1,000 defensive snaps, a model of durability at a demanding position.”
Greg Auman, FOX Sports NFL writer
Davis’s experience and consistency could provide the Bears with a reliable presence on defense, especially given his desire to conclude his career with a contender.
Retaining Key Defensive Back Kevin Byard
Re-signing safety Kevin Byard is another priority for the Bears. Byard is ranked 44th among free agents and fourth at his position. The 32-year-old led the NFL with seven interceptions in 2025 and brings leadership and a knack for takeaways to Chicago’s defense, which relies heavily on generating turnovers.
“Byard, 32, led the NFL with seven interceptions. He also led the league in 2017, and this year earned him not only his third Pro Bowl but his third first-team All-Pro honor as well. He went to Chicago on a two-year, $15 million deal and probably will get a bit less than that on age, but he set the tone on a defense predicated on takeaways, so keeping him on a one-year deal wouldn’t be bad at all for the Bears, who won’t be able to keep their talented secondary intact.”
Greg Auman, FOX Sports NFL writer
Given salary cap limitations, Chicago may opt for a one-year contract to retain Byard, keeping their secondary competitive.
Targeting Elite Pass Rusher Trey Hendrickson
The standout prediction from Auman is the Bears signing edge rusher Trey Hendrickson, ranked as the top free agent and best available pass rusher. Hendrickson, 31, comes off a challenging 2025 in which a December core muscle surgery limited him to just four sacks in seven games. Although he previously secured a one-year, $29 million contract with the Bengals, his value may be adjusted down due to injury concerns.
“Hendrickson, 31, doesn’t have the luster he had a year ago. Instead of coming off back-to-back 17.5-sack seasons and four straight Pro Bowls, he’s now coming off core muscle surgery in December that limited him to four sacks in seven games in 2025. He got a one-year, $29 million deal from the Bengals last year, but isn’t likely to draw as much this time around. ESPN has him as the league’s No. 1 overall free agent, but will he get more than one year guaranteed, and at much more than $20 million a year? He needs 19 sacks to reach 100 for his career and could easily get that in two more healthy seasons.”
Greg Auman, FOX Sports NFL writer
Despite recent setbacks, Hendrickson’s proven ability to pressure quarterbacks could significantly bolster the Bears’ pass rush and overall defense if he returns to form.
Evaluating What These Moves Mean for the Bears
Chicago’s potential acquisitions and re-signings indicate a clear focus on veteran experience and defensive improvement as part of their strategy for the 2026 season. Addressing key positions like edge rusher and linebacker could help transform the team into a stronger contender. Overcoming the salary cap challenge will be essential to execute these plans.
If the Bears successfully land Trey Hendrickson alongside securing Cam Robinson, Demario Davis, and Kevin Byard, they would add a blend of stability, leadership, and pass rush prowess. These moves signal that Chicago is serious about making a deep playoff push and ultimately competing for the Super Bowl.
