The Chicago Bears should really feel like they’re only a few items away from making some big-time noise within the NFC.
They gained the NFC North in Ben Johnson‘s first season as head coach, they usually beat their greatest rival, the Inexperienced Bay Packers, within the playoffs.
The subsequent step can be, hypothetically, gearing up for a Tremendous Bowl run.
Meaning including a bit extra expertise, and it is value noting that Greg Auman of Fox Sports sees them doing simply that.
On an inventory rating the highest 100 free brokers of this upcoming offseason, Auman believes Cincinnati Bengals pass-rusher Trey Hendrickson is the fourth-best participant accessible.
He predicted that Hendrickson goes to signal with the Bears, and he believes Chicago might get a steal financially.
“Hendrickson, 31, does not have the luster he had a 12 months in the past. As an alternative of coming off back-to-back 17.5-sack seasons and 4 straight Professional Bowls, he is now coming off core muscle surgical procedure in December that restricted him to 4 sacks in seven video games in 2025. He bought a one-year, $29 million deal from the Bengals final 12 months, however is not doubtless to attract as a lot this time round,” Auman wrote.
Trey Hendrickson might put Chicago Bears protection excessive
The Bears had an especially opportunistic protection in 2025. In reality, they led the league in turnovers created with 33 within the common season. They notched 23 interceptions and 10 fumble recoveries.
The place they weren’t nearly as good was in getting after the quarterback. Chicago totaled simply 35 sacks in 2025, which was tied for the seventh-least within the NFL.
As talked about, Hendrickson is coming off an harm, however he is notched 81 sacks in his nine-year NFL profession.
When wholesome, he is a premier pass-rusher.
We all know that Johnson can have quarterback Caleb Williams and the Bears offense buzzing once more subsequent season. A participant like Hendrickson on protection might completely put their protection excessive, although.
Particularly if they will get him at a deal, the Bears ought to completely go all-in for the Bengals pass-rusher.
