Through nine games, the Chicago Bears are 5-4 and 14-12 under Ben Johnson in total. It’s been a clear and substantial step up from the Matt Eberflus era, but the Bears are once again outside of the playoff picture, with work to do in the second half of the season to be a wild-card team or to host a playoff game by winning the NFC North.
The Bears have looked vastly different in playstyle this year, but to no bump in win percentage. The other side of trying to pull out more victories is the roster they put forward and practice with on a weekly basis. Here is a review of every move Chicago has made in the first 9 weeks of this PML season.
Released SAM Aiden Fisher From Practice Squad
Week 3
Fisher was an undrafted free agent out of Indiana, and then Chicago signed him after the draft. He played in the preseason but was unable to impress the coaches enough to make the active roster. Ultimately, his impact was so low that he was released from the practice squad in week three to make room for better talent. Fisher is now on the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad.
Signed CB Caelen Carson To Practice Squad
Week 3
When Fisher was released, the spot that opened quickly went to defensive back Calen Carson. He’s a third-year corner out of Wake Forest, who the Bears see as a Kyler Gordon in training as Mekhi Blackmon ages up and out of Chicago’s preferred defensive scheme in the future.
Extended RT Darnell Wright
Week 5
Chicago was not quiet when it came to re-signing their cornerstone right tackle. They made three offers to Wright and his agent when the third was finally agreed upon, uniting Wright, Ben Johnson, and eventually Caleb Williams as the most important three people in his offense, as he used Penei Sewell in Detroit. This contract was hefty, a four-year extension totalling almost 100 million dollars.
Traded C Drew Dalman To Seattle
Week 9
In Ben Johnson’s first season, he desperately tried to course correct after the Bears’ 4-0 start derailed toward missing the playoffs. Among those adjustments was an offensive line revamp. It may not have lasted the whole season, which did end outside the postseason, but it was imprinted on Ben Johnson. In the offseason, he shipped off Joe Thuney to Indianapolis for a third-round pick that was then used to trade up for rookie phenom linebacker Suritane Perkins. Thuney retired two weeks after the trade, raising eyes around the league, although there was no wrongdoing on paper. Back to the point, Drew Dalman had a strong start to this season, but Ben Johnson trusts Layden Robinson to step up and be the guy in a balanced offense that features power running. Dalman was able to find a home on the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for a third-round pick this Spring.
Signed C Bryce Cabeldue From Seattle Practice Squad
Week 9
With position changes not being so easy midseason, the Seahawks opted to move their young developing interior offensive linemen to the practice squad, perhaps forgetting the Bears were in the spot where they needed the best possible backup, with the risk of starting Layden Robinson. Before they could even reach out to veteran centers and their agents, scouts in the front office discovered Cabeldue on waivers before he was moved to the Seattle practice squad and they scooped him up to be a Bear on the active roster instead.
Overview
The Bears and their front office haven’t been making as many moves week to week, like they did a season ago, but are still constantly scouting and surveying to give the franchise their best chance to win games now and in the future. Chicago wants to be a home for young talent, whether they want to be a Bear or not. Hopefully, the philosophy and aggression in being active can translate to more wins and a playoff appearance come January 2027 in the PML universe.
