Predicting Bears 2026 starting offense after first wave of free agency

The Chicago Bears are in the middle of an important 2026 offseason where there's already been plenty of change on the roster through the first wave of free agency. That includes the losses of wide receiver DJ Moore, linebacker DJ Moore, safeties Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker, cornerback Nahshon Wright, linebacker Tremaine Edmunds and center Drew Dalman. But there's also been some new additions to the roster, including safety Coby Bryant, linebacker Devin Bush, center Garrett Bradbury, defensive tackle Neville Gallimore and wide receiver Kalif Raymond.

Following the first wave of free agency, we're doing our best to predict what the Bears offense could look like heading into the 2026 season, including some potential free-agent moves. When looking at these projections on offense, the Bears have just one starting spot up for grabs at left tackle, which should come down to a battle between Braxton Jones, newcomer Jedrick Wills Jr. and Theo Benedet.

QB Caleb Williams The Bears appear to have found their franchise quarterback in Caleb Williams, who had a breakout year in his sophomore season and first year with head coach Ben Johnson. Williams established himself as one of the NFL's most clutch quarterbacks, leading an NFL-record seven fourth-quarter comebacks in 2025. He also set the franchise single-season passing record (3,942 yards) and fell just shy of becoming the Bears' first 4,000-yard passer.

Williams still needs to improve in the short passing game, but there's no denying he has the potential to be one of the NFL's best. RB D'Andre Swift There were plenty of doubts surrounding D'Andre Swift heading into the 2025 season, but he proved doubters wrong as part of a 1-2 punch with rookie Kyle Monangai on the league's third-best rushing attack. Reunited with Ben Johnson, Swift had a career year where he totaled 1,087 rushing yards on 223 carries with nine touchdowns.