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1 player from every AFC team the Bears could target in free agency
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- 1 player from every AFC team the Bears could target in free agency
NFL free agency is just days away, and the Chicago Bears are expected to continue their roster makeover and address multiple areas of need on their team.
Chicago had plenty of success last offseason, not only bringing in head coach Ben Johnson to lead the team but making several changes to the offensive line that helped catapult early success in Johnson's first year. Now, as it usually does around the league, teams with success face multiple changes to their roster year in and year out, and the Bears will be faced with plenty of decisions to make.
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With free agency around the corner, we at Bears Wire are starting to survey the market and have put together the best free agent from each team in the AFC.
Baltimore Ravens : Tyler Linderbaum , C
One name that the Bears have been attached to the most is Linderbaum, especially in the wake of Drew Dalman 's retirement. While Chicago just traded a fifth-round pick to the Patriots for Garrett Bradbury , that doesn't necessarily take them out of the Linderbaum sweepstakes. It could very well be a Plan B should they not land a top option.
Buffalo Bills : Matt Milano , LB
Following the release of Tremaine Edmunds , the Bears need another linebacker and Milano would be a fantastic veteran replacement at the position. A former First-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl selection in the 2022 season, Milano has been plagued by injuries the last few seasons, which could allow Chicago to get him at a better price.
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Cincinnati Bengals : Trey Hendrickson , EDGE
With Maxx Crosby heading to the Ravens, all eyes will be on Trey Hendrickson who is the second-most popular edge rusher on the market this offseason. There was quite the standoff between Hendrickson and the Cincinnati Bengals this offseason, but they did not franchise tag him and if he finds his way to Chicago, he'll be reunited with defensive coordinator Dennis Allen who he played for in New Orleans .
Cleveland Browns : Cam Robinson , OT
The Bears need a left tackle, but Cam Robinson could be a bit pricy. The Cleveland Browns are facing the potential of losing all of their 2025 starting offensive line to free agency, and if Robinson doesn't find a home quickly, he could be a name to monitor as free agency reaches the later stages.
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Denver Broncos : Alex Singleton , LB
Similar to Matt Milano, Singleton fits the profile of a veteran linebacker that the Bears could use following the departure of Tremaine Edmunds. Finishing the 2025 season with 135 tackles, Singleton has now had 100+ tackles in 5 of his 7 seasons in the league, showing a model of consistent production.
Houston Texans : Christian Kirk , WR
After trading away DJ Moore , the Bears are likely to lean into Rome Odunze and Luther Burden as their top wide receivers, but they'd still benefit from having a veteran presence. Kirk can still go up and get the football on contested catches, and in an offense led by Ben Johnson, Kirk could be a more than reliable WR3 on the depth chart.
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Indianapolis Colts : Nick Cross , S
A very under the radar player at the safety position, Nick Cross could be very fun addition for Chicago's defense with secondary coach Al Harris leading the way. Indianapolis has several players to address on their defense this offseason and if the Bears lose multiple safeties, picking up Cross who is quite the athlete and run-stopper would be intriguing.
Jacksonville Jaguars : Emmanuel Ogbah , EDGE
A player who has been well traveled across the league, Ogbah can get after the quarterback and would provide depth behind Montez Sweat and Dayo Odeyinbgo. He wouldn't address the need for a premier pass rusher, but could certainly provide depth at the position.
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Kansas City Chiefs : Jawaan Taylor , OT
Another left tackle possibility if the Bears shop the open market, but they'd have some work to do with Taylor who has had up-and-down play throughout his career. Taylor has struggled with penalties throughout his career, but excels at run-blocking and could be an interesting fit for Chicago's offense.
Las Vegas Raiders : Zamir White , RB
Behind D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai , the Bears need depth at running back Zamir White would be a change of pace back that can excel at special teams. White has played with an edge at the running back position but fell out of favor with the Raiders, and could replace Travis Homer on Chicago's depth chart.
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Los Angeles Chargers : Khalil Mack , EDGE
How about this reunion? Mack has made it clear that he's returning for the 2026 season, but he would be a big fallback option if they fail to land Trey Hendrickson. If Mack wanted an opportunity to finish his career out with a former team of his, the Bears could present one of his best chances to make a championship run, and would be a big boost to the fanbase.
Miami Dolphins : Ifeatu Melifonwu , DB
Melifonwu is a versatile defensive back who has the ability to play the safety position as well as cornerback, and would be somewhat similar to how Jaquan Brisker played for Chicago's secondary. He's got a knack for finding the football and making big plays, something that the Bears thrived on while leading the league in takeaways last year.
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New England Patriots: Antonio Gibson , RB
Another veteran who had fallen out of rotation in with his most recent team, Antonio Gibson is very similar to Zamir White who would serve as a change of pace back, but also carve out a role on special teams. After being a lead back for Washington for the first three years of his career, Gibson saw his playing time decrease in his last two years with the New England Patriots.
New York Jets : Andre Cisco , S
Cisco is a very interesting selection at the safety position, but only played in 8 games in his lone season with the New York Jets. Since joining the league as a third-round pick in 2021, his best seasons came in the 2022 and 2023 season where he had a combined 7 interceptions, and fits the bill of the ball-hawking safety that has thrived for Chicago.
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Pittsburgh Steelers : Cole Holcomb , LB
Back to the well for a veteran linebacker, Cole Holcomb's best years came during his time with the Washington Commanders , but fell out of rotation recently with the Pittsburgh Steelers. It would be unlikely that he fits any role other than depth at the linebacker position, but the Bears really need to focus on establishing a veteran presence after they were decimated by injuries last year.
Tennessee Titans : Lloyd Cushenberry , C
Lloyd Cushenberry has not been among the top names mentioned for Chicago at the center position, but he could be a value get if the price works for both ends. He needs to improve in his run-blocking technique, but has shown plenty of ability in pass protection, which would be key to keeping the development of quarterback Caleb Williams , going back to the chemistry he had with the recently retired Dalman. Cushenberry has struggled with injuries, so if his market value is down due to injury concerns, Chicago could swoop in.
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears free agency: 1 player from every AFC team to target
