The Chicago Bears are off to a great 6-3 start after a disastrous 5-12 season last year, and things are starting to look up for the team. Caleb Williams is beginning to show the rest of the NFL why he was the No. 1 overall pick, the offensive line has been tremendous, and Ben Johnson is as advertised. There is still plenty of football left to be played this season, but ESPN released its top 25 free agents for 2025, and several names on that list could help push the Bears from fringe playoff contenders to Super Bowl favorites.
Here are five of ESPN’s top 25 free agents the Bears should strongly consider pursuing this offseason.
Top Free Agents the Bears Should Pursue
Note: Numbers are based on ESPN’s rankings of the top 25 free agents
18. Khalil Mack, Edge Rusher
Yes, the craze for bringing back Khalil Mack is not going away. It would be a sentimental move, but more importantly, the Bears could use an experienced veteran pass rusher to help mentor younger guys like Austin Booker and Shemar Turner.
Despite being on the older side, Mack is still a productive pass rusher with four sacks and two forced fumbles in six games this season. He’s no longer the dominant pass rusher he once was back then, but his familiarity with Chicago, leadership, and reputation would be a huge addition to the locker room. If the price is right, a short-term deal could make Mack’s return both practical and poetic.
11. Alontae Taylor, Cornerback
The Bears have already shown their interest in Alontae Taylor, with NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport revealing that Chicago was “deep in talks” for trading for Taylor before a deal ended up falling through during the NFL trade deadline.
The Bears’ cornerback room was hit with the injury bug this season, and adding Taylor would not only be a smart move for depth, but he’s one of the more underrated corners in the NFL. Through four seasons, Taylor has three interceptions, 37 pass breakups, and six sacks.
10. Jaelan Phillips, Edge Rusher
The Philadelphia Eagles recently traded a third-round pick to acquire former Miami Dolphins pass rusher Jaelan Phillips, and he’s already made an impact with the Eagles, notching four pressures and one tackle for loss in the win against the Green Bay Packers.
To put it best, Phillips is an immensely talented pass rusher who’s been limited with multiple major injuries. He’ll command a hefty contract this offseason, and it could be a high-risk, high-reward option the Bears could go after.
8. Travis Jones, Defensive Tackle
The Bears might decide to cut veteran defensive tackle Grady Jarrett after just one season with the team due to a lack of production, and Andrew Billings is slated to become a free agent this offseason. If the Bears want to find someone to pair up with Gervon Dexter Sr. in the middle of the defensive line, Travis Jones is the top option available.
At 6’4″ and 341 pounds, he’s viewed by multiple teams as the best free agent defensive tackle, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. “Very tough to block, elite run stopper. A wide-bodied guy who has enough pass rush,” an NFC executive said. Maybe that NFC executive is someone from the Bears…
Grown ass man type of rep by Travis Jones on 3rd down. Walks right through Donovan Jackson and forces an errant throw pic.twitter.com/4V4eNAnC67
— JP Acosta (@acosta32_jp) November 12, 2025
1. Trey Hendrickson, Edge Rusher
What list would this be without putting the top available free agent, who happens to play a position the Bears could use some help on? Trey Hendrickson’s relationship with the Cincinnati Bengals appears tarnished with little hope of being repaired, and his time in Cincinnati may very well be coming to an end.
That’s good news for Chicago. What’s also good is he’s one of the best pass rushers in the NFL and would immediately elevate the Bears’ defense.
What’s not so good is his age.
He’ll be 31 by the time next season kicks off, and the question is, would the Bears be willing to pay him a huge contract (at least $34 million+ per year, according to ESPN) despite his age?
It might be too big a price to pay, but it’s not out of the picture.
Last Word on Potential Free Agent Targets
There are no offensive players on this list, but for a reason. Most of the offensive free agents on ESPN’s list are running backs and wide receivers, which the Bears likely won’t pursue during free agency, let alone big-ticket names like Breece Hall and George Pickens. The offensive tackles are going to be insanely expensive (We saw what the Tennessee Titans gave Dan Moore Jr. last offseason), and the Bears are in no need of a tight end or starting center.
Granted, this upcoming NFL draft will feature more talent on defense than offense, but Chicago can use all the help they can get on defense.
Main Image: Mark Hoffman – Imagn Images
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