Bears general manager Ryan Poles made it a priority to upgrade his team's defense in free agency. With those transactions official, how did Pro Football Focus view the moves the Bears made?
The Chicago Bears were busy during 2026 free agency, signing several players to help elevate a team coming off an 11-6 finish and NFC North title.
General manager Ryan Poles devoted most of the team's cap space in free agency to retool the Bears’ defense. Given that the team ranked at the bottom of the league in rushing yards (No. 27) and passing yards (No.22) allowed, Poles prioritized upgrading the defense.
Pro Football Focus (PFF) analyzed the moves from each NFL team and categorized them into two categories: Favorite Move and Least Favorite Move.
Here is what PFF suggested for the Bears in each category.
Favorite Move: LB Devin Bush
The Bears signed the former Browns linebacker to a three-year, $30 million deal, including $21 million guaranteed. What helped the 27-year-old linebacker to earn that contract was his 2025 season.
Bush secured 125 total tackles, two sacks, three interceptions (including two pick-6s) and eight passes defensed. The 5-foot-11, 235-pound linebacker was a consistent playmaker for the Browns' defense last season.
Here is what PFF wrote about Bush:
"In 2025, his 87.3 PFF run-defense grade ranked ninth at the position, while his 80.4 PFF coverage grade placed fourth, leading to an 87.6 PFF overall grade (fourth among 88 linebackers). Still, Chicago managed to secure him for only $10 million per year, which is tied for just 17th among linebackers."
Least Favorite Move: DI Neville Gallimore
Neville Gallimore singed a two-year contract worth $10 million, including $5 million guaranteed. The veteran defensive tackle posted the best season of his career in 2025, securing 17 total pressures, four sacks and three batted passes while only playing 467 total defensive snaps.
The 6-foot-2, 302-pound defensive lineman has some speed to his game, and that is frequently seen when he is chasing down ball carriers, highlighting his willingness to finish out plays.
Here is why PFF labeled Gallimore as their least favorite signing for the Bears.
"The Bears signed Gallimore to a contract that suggests he'd start. However, Gallimore has yet to earn a PFF overall grade above 60.0 in any season, and his 56.6 PFF overall grade in 2025 ranked just 75th."
My analysis:
Signing Bush on a contract that is worth just $10 million per year is a good deal for the team. If Bush puts together another season like he did in Cleveland in 2025, then defensive coordinator Dennis Allen is going to be a happy man. An underrated move that could be viewed as favorite is signing Kalif Raymond to a one-year deal. He's a veteran wide receiver who has plenty of special teams value and familiarity with head coach Ben Johnson. That type of move has value.
As for Gallimore, teams over spend in free agency. That always happens. I'm curious to see what he can do in Allen's defense. He has quick burst off the line and hustles. The production throughout his career isn't top end by any means, but let me see some games before putting a label on what he can do in Chicago.