Could the Bears Find More Help in Free Agency Before 2026?

The 2026 NFL season is quickly approaching, and the Chicago Bears have already made several moves to strengthen their roster. However, there are still opportunities for the team to add talent before the season gets underway. A handful of experienced free agents remain available who could fill important needs across the roster. While the Bears may not need to make another major splash, adding the right veteran could provide valuable depth and competition. Now that expectations are rising around the team heading into 2026, even one smart addition could make a difference. Here are some free agents the Bears could consider signing before the season begins.

Trevon Diggs

One of the biggest storylines so far has been that the Bears' secondary depth is already a concern. The team has dealt with many injuries, making it unclear who will be available by the time the regular season starts. One possible name to help patch this issue is Trevon Diggs. He has certainly fallen off a bit since he had 11 interceptions in 2021. However, now that the veteran cornerback has had more time to rest up, a change of scenery would be nice.

Even with a change of teams, the 27-year-old would still have some familiarity, as he would be reunited with the Bears' defensive back coach, Al Harris. The two spent time together in Dallas when Diggs had the best years of his career. Even if he can not play at the same level, it would be a good fit for both parties. Diggs gets a chance to rebound for a contending team while reuniting with Harris. Meanwhile, Chicago adds a proven talent to a secondary that seems to be dropping like flies.

Donovan Wilson

Speaking of the secondary, another possibility is safety Donovan Wilson. The veteran has spent the past seven seasons in Dallas. That means that just like Diggs, he has spent plenty of time learning under Harris. Even though Dennis Allen is the one calling the plays, having a positional coach that you know can help make the transition easier. Safety has a major hole now that Coby Bryant will miss roughly 8-10 weeks. Wilson certainly does not match the talent level, but he does provide a veteran who could fill in for a few games. Chicago landing both of the former Dallas defenders would be unlikely, but at least looking into them makes a lot of sense. We saw the Bears do it last offseason with Nahshon Wright, as the former Cowboy had a career year. That move saved a secondary that was severely injured, so we could very well see the same story in 2026.

Taylor Decker

The Bears’ left tackle battle had begun to look settled, as despite the four-player rotation, Braxton Jones was receiving a lot of practice time with the starting offense. However, his recent injury has made that a lot less clear. If Chicago wants to bring in a veteran, then one of the top options is Taylor Decker. Similar to the first two players, Decker has some ties to the team's system. He previously played under Ben Johnson in Detroit. The former Lions veteran is not in his prime, but he is a quality veteran who has started 140 games in his career.

Decker may not be as flashy as he used to be, but he could help stabilize the offensive line for 2026. He knows the system, which means it would not be too hard to catch up with the rest of the team. This becomes increasingly important as we get closer to the regular season. Chicago has a lot of young options on the roster, but it is hard to say those players can turn potential into production. The fact that the 32-year-old left tackle is still unsigned means he may not cost a lot. However, with all of the injuries in the league, he could be a hot commodity. If the Bears have yet to add competition, it could signal they feel confident in the current options. Chicago has the talent, so it is not a need, but Decker could be a player to keep an eye on if the injuries keep coming.

Final Thoughts

Expectations for the Bears are higher than they have been in many years. The offense is expected to see major growth, but the offensive line still needs to be figured out. Meanwhile, the defense has seen plenty of improvements. Despite this, they may need to add more due to the number of injuries. If Chicago went into the regular season with the current roster, then there are plenty of reasons to feel like it could make a deep playoff run. However, if there is an opportunity to boost the roster, then they need to consider it. Ultimately, adding a talented veteran to a young roster could help elevate the team to the next level.