Barring a final move or two, the Chicago Bears' 2026 free agency is in the books with an impressive list of signings and an equal number of lost pieces. Offensively, Chicago's most notable move didn't come in free agency but was the offseason trade of receiver DJ Moore. Still, there was a bit of offensive overturn that is worth taking a look back at as we draw nearer to the summer.
Chicago's free agency losses were incredibly limited, with only four players being signed off Chicago's 2025 offensive roster so far. This speaks to the team's young core being locked up and to just how well the front office has done re-signing key players. Still, let's take a look at the four offensive pieces that left Chicago for new landing spots.
1. Durham Smythe-Baltimore Ravens
It made sense for the Bears to turn the page on a tight end who has an incredibly limited ceiling playing behind Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet. Chicago opted to bring in depth from this year's draft class and opted not to pay Smythe the $3 million the pass catcher garnered in free agency from Baltimore.
Re-signing the tight end would've been a clear mistake and taken away cap space that was better utilized to bring in depth at other positions. For Smythe, joining the Ravens provided a far clearer path to playing time and having the ability to play a meaningful role.
2. Olamide Zaccheaus - Atlanta Falcons
It was clear from how the veteran receiver's snaps were managed in the 2025 season that Ben Johnson had a level of frustration with the pass catcher. There were issues with drops and a clear lack of trust from Caleb Williams as mistakes mounted and more reliable targets emerged. To put it bluntly, the Bears appeared to feel that this was an addition by subtraction.
For Zaccheaus, the receiver returned to Atlanta where he currently projects as the second or third option at the position. It was an offseason win for both sides and a clear message from the head coach that the position would be held to a higher standard than what Zaccheaus was offering.
3. Devin Duvernay- Arizona Cardinals
Duvernay was an underrated depth player for Chicago and a piece that would have made sense as a potential re-signing. However, it seems that the Bears believed the better path was adding to the position in this year's draft class, bringing in Zavion Thomas as a potential answer at the position. Duvernay joins a Cardinals team that appears to lack clear direction and could have a larger offensive role for the veteran pass catcher.
Regardless of how the fit plays out, losing Duvernay isn't a huge blow to Chicago's offense or special teams unit, with the Bears leaning on the addition of Thomas and the expectation that its young playmakers will continue to evolve throughout the 2026 season.
4. Travis Homer-Pittsburgh Steelers
Homer is a depth piece that found an opportunity with Pittsburgh after spending a season being buried behind D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai. This dominating duo wasn't going to provide Homer an opening, and much as was the case with Duvernay, it made sense to turn the page and look for younger depth due to the stability at the top of the team's depth chart.
For Homer, there is hope that Pittsburgh might have a better opportunity to garner at least a handful of carries in the upcoming season. Another year spent with the Bears would've been a wasted one with Homer simply far from being a viable option.
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