Grading Every Chicago Bears Free Agent Signing On Day 1

Ryan Poles doesn’t want to become that GM who signs wildly in free agency to help his team. That isn’t how good franchises are built. Still, he knew there was no escaping it this year. The Chicago Bears need a lot of help. With so much cap space on hand and a cash floor to reach, Poles needed to do some spending. He didn’t waste any time, securing four players before the end of business hours on day one. There were plenty of unexpected twists along the way.

The Bears were widely expected to secure one of the top right tackles on the market. Then everybody watched as Mike McGlinchey signed with Denver and Jawaan Taylor went to Kansas City. That leaves Kaleb McGary as the only viable name left. They also failed to nab one of the top three interior pass rushers. So while not everything went according to the script, was it a bad day for the Bears? Not at all. Poles still achieved some key objectives in his effort to upgrade the roster.

The Chicago Bears did some solid work on the market

Tremaine Edmunds (LB): 4-year deal for $72 million

People are glossing over how ridiculously talented Edmunds is. He’s 6’5, 250 lbs, and runs with 4.54 speed. That is not normal. Oh, and he has 34-inch arms for good measure. His physical profile is absurd, and he is only 24 years old. Yes, the Bears paid a lot of money for him. That is because he was worth it. He’s already made two Pro Bowls and may not have even reached his peak yet. Eberflus is a maestro with linebackers. Giving him a talent like this is unfair. The fact the Bears got him for $2 million less per year than Roquan Smith is noteworthy.

Grade: A

T.J. Edwards (LB): 3-year deal for $19.5 million

The 26-year-old has been a primary starter for the Philadelphia Eagles over the past two seasons. In that time, he was their best linebacker with 289 tackles, three sacks, 12 passes defended, and an interception. His tackling prowess and athletic range make him a great fit in the Bears’ defense. They demand a lot from their linebackers in coverage. Initial projections had him earning around $13.5 million per year. The Bears got him at $6.5 million. That feels like a massive steal.

Grade: A

Nate Davis (OG): 3-year deal for $30 million

One must respect Poles for staying in line with his vision. From the outset, he said he wants offensive linemen that athletic, mobile, and violent. Davis checks all of those boxes. He plays with good power and nastiness in the run game. The problem most of his career was pass protection. Davis really struggled through the first three seasons of his career. However, there were signs of legitimate progress in 2022, allowing only 12 pressures on 145 true pass sets. He’s improving and is a perfect fit for their scheme.

Grade: B+

DeMarcus Walker (DL): 3-year deal for $21 million

The last signing of the day and arguably the most important. The Chicago Bears have serious deficiencies along their defensive line. They badly need bodies. Walker isn’t anything flashy. However, he is a workhorse. He is big and powerful, using a good anchor and long arms to clog running lanes. His biggest improvement was as a pass rusher last season, racking up a career-high seven sacks. He was at his most dangerous when rushing from the interior, where guards couldn’t handle his quickness. Expect the coaching staff to utilize him there a lot.

Grade: B