Despite the team losing offensive coordinator Declan Doyle and running backs coach Eric Bieniemy, it is hard to complain about the Chicago Bears' early offseason. The stability of Ben Johnson's staff remains strong, and the two coaches were given deserving promotions after Chicago's incredible 2025 campaign.
Still, the majority of the coaching staff remains, and Chicago has a clear path to open up the additional cap space they need. It appears that a trade of DJ Moore is increasingly likely, as is defensive restructuring.
While a grade of B+ might seem a bit low, it is based solely on Doyle and Bieniemy being lost while the team is yet to make notable additions. However, the stage is perfectly set for an incredible offseason to build on 2025's breakout. The offensive core remains under contract, and the Bears should be an attractive landing spot in free agency. It is impossible to imagine that Chicago will have any trouble attracting their targets.
There is plenty of time for the Bears to improve this grade and put together an offseason that makes them the obvious class of the NFC. If there is one minor concern, it is a lack of cap space with a projected negative -$5.3 million of expected space, according to Over The Cap.
Beras Early Offseason Moves Deserve B+ Despite Slow Start
The lack of expected space is concerning, but as stated above, there are easy ways to fix this, with the move being a trade of DJ Moore after the emergence of Luther Burden and Rome Odunze. Add in the depth at tight end with Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet, there is simply no case against moving on from a piece that is no longer working. Add in the typical offseason restructures and Chicago's 2026 draft class this is a roster that can easily dig itself out of a cap hole and make the needed improvements.
Outside of adding an elite edge rusher, fans shouldn't expect a terribly splashy offseason based on a roster that just won 11 games and a playoff matchup with its current core. There is every reason to believe in future improvement and that we are just scratching the surface of what Ben Johnson's Bears can accomplish.
Any offseason grades must take this into account, understanding that simply having time for young players and a second-year head coach to grow will lead to a vast improvement. Already, there is a sense of buzz that Chicago is the prime landing spot thanks to the collection of talent on this roster and the Bears' status as one of the league's historic franchises.
No question, it is hard to envision the offseason ahead being anything but a win for a Bears team that continues to move in the right direction.