Bears in position to make big splash in 2024 NFL free agency

The Chicago Bears are setting up to be the kings of the NFL offseason for the second year in a row.

When the 2023 offseason kicked off, the Bears held the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft and had the most money to spend in free agency. As things currently stand for the 2024 offseason, Chicago has the No. 1 pick again, a second first-round pick that should be a top-10 selection, and, according to Spotrac, the seventh-most money to spend in free agency. (Note: this could change slightly after Cairo Santos’ contract extension.)

It’s good to be GM Ryan Poles.

This is especially exciting because, unlike last year, the Chicago Bears aren’t as far away from being a legitimate playoff team. The defense is playing like one of the best units in the NFL, while the offense is another wide receiver and a center away from being perfectly fine.

There’s the whole quarterback thing, too. It’ll either be Justin Fields, Caleb Williams, or Drake Maye. It’s fair to say Chicago will be fine at the game’s most important position for a very long time, no matter who’s under center in 2024.

And that’s why having so much money to spend in free agency this year will be a boon to a Chicago Bears team that won’t be shy about spending top dollar on a pass rusher like Brian Burns, Josh Allen, or Danielle Hunter. Poles will open the checkbook for a receiver like Tee Higgins. There’s no reason not to, the Bears’ playoff push starts now, and the odds Chicago will be in such a strong offseason position again are very low.

if Brian Burns gets signed this offseason that means we have two Spider men on the squad. Kyler Gordon and Brian. The aura next season will be insane pic.twitter.com/RvWGTYp8wt

— Sub-Zero Szn (@DisturbanceZynx) December 23, 2023

Spotrac has the Bears slated to begin the offseason with just under $64 million in salary cap space. It’s plenty of money to lock up Jaylon Johnson on a long-term deal and sign one of the premier pass rushers, assuming they hit the open market.

We could also see an interesting NFC North battle for free agents take place this offseason. The Detroit Lions rank ninth in projected salary cap space, which could set up a duel between the Bears and Lions for a premier player or two.

It’s rare that a general manager begins his tenure with a team that has as many assets and resources as Poles has had with the Bears. He’s done a great job in the NFL Draft, landing key starters from all corners of draft weekend. He’s been solid in free agency, too. There’s no reason to doubt his ability to maximize the 2024 offseason, which should provide more hope for success than any offseason in recent Chicago Bears history.