Ranking the Chicago Bears’ 9 Offseason Acquisitions

The first wave of unrestricted free agency is officially in our rearview mirror. The Chicago Bears acquired eight players, some high-end starters, and some back-end-of-roster depth types, both through free agency and trades. Potential rotational contributors are all that remains available. Bears general manager Ryan Poles has swiftly shifted his attention to the 2024 NFL Draft. We’ve decided to assign a letter grade to Chicago’s eight offseason acquisitions to date.

KEENAN ALLEN, WR

Poles executed a blockbuster when he acquired Allen from the Los Angeles Chargers. The aging Allen remains as effective as ever. A workhorse, Allen recorded 1,243 receiving yards this past season, a personal-best mark since a career-high 1,393-yard campaign in 2017. Allen should make for a terrific running mate opposite D.J. Moore. Caleb Williams is smiling ear-to-ear.

GRADE: A

D’ANDRE SWIFT, RB

Swift finally reached his potential last season, rushing for a career-best 1,049 yards in his lone campaign with the Philadelphia Eagles. Swift parlayed that performance into a three-year, $24 million contract with the Bears. Swift has a lengthy injury history, but the former Georgia standout was largely healthy throughout 2023. He’ll spearhead a Bears backfield that will also receive contributions from Roschon Johnson and Khalil Herbert.

GRADE: B

GERALD EVERETT, TE

I was expecting the Bears to target a tight end to play alongside Cole Kmet. I thought they’d pursue more of an in-line blocker that plays as an extension of the revamped offensive line, but Everett possesses legitimate potential as a difference-maker as a pass catcher. Everett should pair with Kmet to provide Williams with two reliable safety nets.

GRADE: B

KEVIN BYARD, S

Color me skeptical. I extensively watched Byard for the Tennessee Titans and Eagles throughout 2023. Byard looked like an aging safety that had past his prime. Poles is looking forward to the leadership and on-field communication Byard adds to a young Bears defensive backfield. He’s got that correct as Byard is among the smartest, most professional players around. A legitimate leader, the Bears will have added a bargain if Byard recaptures his previous Pro Bowl form.

GRADE: B-

COLEMAN SHELTON, C

Shelton is expected to serve as the Bears’ new starting center with Cody Whitehair and Lucas Patrick no longer on the roster. Bears offensive coordinator Shane Waldron spent the first two seasons (2019-20) of Shelton’s career with the Los Angeles Rams coaching the offense as a passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach. That familiarity with Waldron could allow Shelton to hit the ground running.

GRADE: B-

JONATHAN OWENS, S

Owens is an in-the-box safety that can be utilized alongside Byard and Jaquan Brisker. Three-safety personnel packages have become increasingly popular around the league in recent years with defensive coordinators searching for ways to combat pass-happy offenses. Owens will help the Bears defense get lighter and faster.

GRADE: C+

MATT PRYOR, OL

Pryor overlapped with Bears head coach Matt Eberflus in 2021 with the Indianapolis Colts. Pryor is a veteran swing linemen with experience at both tackle and guard positions. He’ll add much-needed depth and competition to the offensive line.

GRADE: C+

RYAN BATES, OL

Bates was acquired from the Buffalo Bills via trade. He should compete with Shelton for starting reps at center, giving the Bears at least two league-average options at the position. The Bears previously attempted to acquire Bates during the 2022 offseason.

GRADE: C+

Brett Rypien, QB

Waldron coached Rypien in Seattle last season. He’s a veteran flier at quarterback. Rypien could help Williams quickly grasp Waldron’s offense while competing for offseason reps with Tyson Bagent.

GRADE: C-