Chicago Bears Free Agency news: Analyzing NFL team's latest signings
Days before the start of free agency, the Chicago Bears made a bold move by trading their No. 1 overall pick to the Carolina Panthers.
In exchange, they received the ninth-overall pick, the 61st pick, a first-round pick in 2024, and a second-round pick in 2025. The Bears also acquired D.J. Moore in the trade, immediately improving their receiving corps around quarterback Justin Fields.
DJ Moore is just silly… absolutely silly
I am so damn excited https://t.co/JcjtB1BuR7
Chicago has followed this up with some major moves in free agency. They have signed several key players who will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the team’s performance in the upcoming 2023 NFL season.
Chicago Bears signings
D'Onta Foreman signed a one-year deal with the Bears to replace the production lost when David Montgomery left in free agency. In his fifth NFL season, Foreman played all 17 games for Carolina and posted a career-high 914 rushing yards and five touchdowns.
With the Bears already having a more natural pass-catching and pass-blocking back in Travis Homer and Foreman's ability to gain yards through contact, the running back room is coming together well.
Robert Tonyan, the former Green Bay Packers tight end, signed a one-year deal. Tonyan brings a 77.8% catch rate and a 10.5-yards-per-catch average to Chicago. The Bears needed another tight end to pair with Cole Kmet, and Tonyan is the second-best pass-catcher the team has brought in this week in addition to D.J. Moore.
Robert Tonyan (#85) had a strong outing in Week 6 of the 2022 season. He grabbed 10 passes for 90 yards.
Tonyan is a great route runner for his size, making him a tough cover for LB’s.
A solid signing by the #Bears, who were in need of a second productive TE. https://t.co/lyJUT29ZDK
Andrew Billings (DT) signed after 14 starts for the Las Vegas Raiders in 2022. He has started 51 of 67 games over five seasons. He was a force against the run as a rotational piece in Las Vegas, with 22 stops and 29 solo tackles last season, which will be a welcome presence for Chicago's 31st ranked run defense (157.3 yards allowed per game). His role in this defense will likely be defined by how he can help keep opposing running backs from reaching the second level.
Former Carolina Panthers QB P.J. Walker agreed to a two-year deal, becoming Justin Fields' backup. From a stint in the XFL to spending the last three seasons with the Panthers, Walker has become a sought-after No. 2 QB.
He put together his best season in 2022 with 731 passing yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions in six games. His familiarity with new Bears receiver D.J. Moore, who was traded from Carolina in exchange for the No. 1 overall pick, can’t hurt either.
The Bears and Travis Homer (RB) agreed to a two-year deal worth up to $4.5 million. Homer in no way replaces the production the Bears got over four seasons from Montgomery but is a depth addition in a backfield that could see Khalil Herbert elevated to three-down status.
Homer was a backup in Seattle and made his biggest contributions catching passes out of the backfield. He rushed for 453 yards and one touchdown in four years.
DeMarcus Walker (DE) agreed to a three-year deal worth $21 million with $16 fully guaranteed. His ability to play multiple positions along the defensive line is intriguing for a unit in the process of an overhaul and begins to address a major need (Chicago’s inability to rush the passer).
The franchise has given Tremaine Edmunds (LB) a four-year, $72 million deal that includes $50 million guaranteed (the largest four-year contract for an inside linebacker in the NFL).
Edmunds was one of the hottest defensive players available and upgraded the weakside linebacker position. He’s just 24, yet has five years of NFL experience, having started the moment Buffalo drafted him with the 16th overall pick in 2018.
#Bears fans are wondering why GM Ryan Poles chose to first address the LB position with the signings of Tremaine Edmunds & T.J. Edwards instead of the more needy defensive line. Here's why... https://t.co/rwMJeA15gp
Nate Davis (OL) agreed to a three-year deal. Davis made considerable strides in pass protection during the final year of his rookie deal, and has been a solid run-blocker throughout his career. He could pay big dividends.
Notable Chicago Bears departures
Chicago has moved on from a lot of players, but most were depth guys such as backup quarterbacks Trevor Siemian and Nathan Peterman. David Montgomery and Riley Rieff were the only significant losses from the starting team.