After winning the NFC North and making a trip to the playoffs, the Chicago Bears are not satisfied. With training camp around the corner, now is the best time for the team to make moves and bring in players so they can get acclimated. With just over $9 million in salary cap space and the potential to free up even more, here are moves the Bears should make before leaving for Halas Hall in August.
After recently being brought up in trade speculation, Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor is being heavily linked to Chicago. While they are not hurting at the running back position, the Bears would benefit from having an All-Pro in the backfield. With one year remaining on his contract worth $14 million, the 27-year-old Taylor would be an unrestricted free agent in 2027.
The reigning rushing touchdown leader, Taylor has been with the Colts since he was drafted in 2020. In his six seasons, he has averaged 1,538 yards over 17 games with 14 touchdowns. In addition to being one of the best players at running the football, Taylor averages 297 receiving yards over 17 games, making him a dual threat. While he has missed multiple games each of the previous three seasons, Taylor played a full season in 2025.
While the Bears finished with the third-most rushing yards in the NFL during 2025, adding a player of Taylor’s caliber would make the run game more explosive. D’Andre Swift led the Bears in rushing with 1,087 yards, but his longest run of the season was only 25 yards. Rookie Kyle Monangai followed Swift with 783 yards and a long run of 39 yards. The dynamic Taylor had an 83-yard run during 2025, tying the longest run of his career in 2022.
Hypothetical Trade Cost: 2027 1st Round Draft Pick & 4th Round Draft Pick
Likeliness: 4/10
One of the biggest criticisms the Bears have faced during the offseason is the apparent neglect of a subpar defensive line. While fans expected General Manager Ryan Poles to address the defensive line early in the draft, he waited until the sixth round before selecting a defensive tackle. With the Miami Dolphins in a rebuild and Chicago giving up the sixth most rushing yards in the NFL, they could be in the market for run-stopper Zach Sieler.
In his seventh season with the Miami Dolphins and eighth overall, the 30-year-old Sieler had 5.5 sacks, 47 tackles, and 10 tackles for loss. The previous two seasons saw Sieler achieve career highs in sacks and tackles for loss with 10 and 13, respectively. Another important stat for a defensive tackle, he averages 12 quarterback hits over 17 games.
While his numbers are slightly down from previous seasons, his sack total would put him third overall on the Bears. Sieler’s 10 tackles for loss would rank second on the Bears behind DE Montez Sweat. One thing that the Bears would covet is Sieler’s ability to stay on the field all season. Over the last six seasons, Sieler has missed only two games, showcasing his consistency. If the Bears traded for him, they would take on his $11.419 million cap hit for 2026 with a scheduled cap hit of $20.784 million for 2027.
Hypothetical Trade Cost: 2027 3rd Round Draft Pick
Likeliness: 5/10
Much like with the defensive tackle position, the Bears have been largely silent when it comes to the edge position. After signing free agent Dayo Odeyingbo last offseason to pair with Sweat, the Bears ended with a disappointing 35 sacks. After passing on all the edges in the draft, the Bears could look to free agency to add a veteran on a low-risk, high-reward deal.
The Bears could look to have a reunion with the team’s 2016 first-round draft pick, Leonard Floyd. The 33-year-old edge is coming off a disappointing campaign with the Atlanta Falcons, only getting 3.5 sacks and 5 tackles for loss. This is well below his 17-game average of 7.8 sacks and 8 tackles for loss. Still a model of consistency, Floyd has only missed more than one game in a season once since 2017.
If the Bears want to be a more consistent team in 2026, they have to pressure the quarterback more. Defensive ends only had 18.5 sacks for the team last season, with Odeyingbo only tallying one before a season-ending injury. Signing Floyd would add a rotational piece to put in when Sweat needs a break or gets moved to the other side. Adding Floyd to a room that includes the developing Austin Booker will be good as a bridge for the Bears to scout younger defensive ends.
Hypothetical Free Agent Contract: 1 year, $5 million (Up to $9 million with incentives)
Likeliness: 8/10
If the Bears really wanted to make a splash and really improve their team, trading for Arizona Cardinals edge Josh Sweat would achieve just that. Despite coming off a career-best 12 sacks and 4 forced fumbles, speculation has been rampant that teams have been trying to trade for Sweat. While highly unlikely, if the Bears traded for him, the team would have one of the best pairs of rushers in the NFL and would make the team the favorite to win the NFC North again.
Hypothetical Trade Cost: 2027 4th Round Draft Pick & 6th Round Draft Pick
Likeliness: 1/10
Coming off a surprise division title and playoff appearance, the Bears have their sights set on a Super Bowl ring. Making a move for a defensive lineman or running back would strengthen their roster and increase the chances of at least repeating their 2025 success. With training camp just around the corner, expect Chicago to be in the news, whether for a big move or a small one.
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