The Chicago Bears exited the 2025 playoffs at the hands of the Los Angeles Rams in a frustrating 20-17 overtime loss. Now, the franchise has a surprise opportunity to get a bit of revenge and steal a key piece that helped author their demise. Safety Kam Curl is getting ready to hit free agency, and according to Spotrac, is projected to get a deal worth $10 million annually. It is well within Chicago's price range and an obvious need, as both Jaquan Brisker and Kevin Byard are scheduled to become unrestricted free agents.
Chicago badly needs to steady its defensive backfield, and stealing Kurl from the Rams would be a great step in this direction. It would allow the Bears to both land an upgrade and simply sign one of their remaining pending free agents. There is also the important note here that Curl picked off Caleb Williams, directly setting up Chicago's playoff loss and eliminating the franchise from Super Bowl contention.
Taking this a step further, the Rams were the only team that really gave the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks a game. Seeing how closely Los Angeles played the Bears and just barely losing to the Seahawks showed how thin the margin between the trio of teams is currently. Stealing a key starter in free agency helps push the scales in Chicago's favor while addressing a clear position of need.
Bears Have Perfect Opportunity to Address Obvious Roster Need and Steal from Rival
Curl finished the 2025 regular season with 79 tackles, a pair of interceptions, five passes defensed, and two sacks in what was an impressive season. Having this level of talent added to Chicago's defensive backfield would be a huge offseason win and push the Bears a step closer to Super Bowl contention.
Arguably, the more important piece of this is weakening a rival who remains a clear threat in the NFC and got the best of the Bears in the 2025 postseason. Getting a bit of offseason revenge wouldn't hurt the feelings of fans or a roster that could use some defensive reinforcement. While the skill positions on offense and quarterback are obviously in great position, if there is one area of concern holding back this roster, it is having a defense that can play against anyone.
Signing Curl gives you an aggressive tackler and a great coverage piece on a roster that is clearly weak at the position. With this in mind, the Bears should have Curl near the top of their offseason free agent wish list, reaching out to see if an early free agency deal can be made, giving fans a reason to be very hopeful and excited for the offseason ahead.