Fans hoping the Bears would make a splash at the start of the league year Wednesday didn’t get their prayers answered. But they did get an Amen.
Linebacker Amen Ogbongbemiga, who played on special teams for the Chargers the last three years, signed a one-year deal with the Bears worth $2.1 million, a source confirmed. Quarterback Brett Rypien, who played for three teams last season, also agreed to terms of a one-year deal. So did Matt Pryor, a backup offensive lineman who played 42 snaps for the 49ers in 2023.
None of the three is a starter — something they have in common with safety Jonathan Owens and tight end Gerald Everett, with whom the Bears officially agreed to terms Wednesday.
The only surefire starter whom general manager Ryan Poles agreed to sign between the start of legal tampering Monday and the beginning of the league year was running back D’Andre Swift, who still figures to share carries in the backfield.
While most of the NFL wonders what Poles plans on doing with quarterback Justin Fields, it’s fair to wonder what, exactly, he’s doing in free agency. The Bears had the fifth-most salary-cap space entering Monday and have since come away with only one player whose jersey they’ll sell in their gift shop.
What should have been a free-agency fireworks display turned out to be a dud.
There are still free-agent starters to be had, particularly on the defensive line. But the few stars who would have addressed the Bears’ biggest needs — a wide receiver to pair with DJ Moore, a defensive end to play opposite Montez Sweat and a defensive tackle, the most important position in coach Matt Eberflus’ defense — are long gone.
Poles needs to get his roster in the best possible position before the draft, when most expect him to take USC quarterback Caleb Williams with the No. 1 overall pick. The Bears are ready to win now and should be spending like it. Poles hasn’t — at least since Monday.
The best work he has done — and the most money he has spent — came earlier. On Oct. 31, he traded for Sweat and, within a week, gave him a four-year, $98 million deal, the third-richest in franchise history. Last Friday, he agreed to give cornerback Jaylon Johnson a four-year, $76 million contract, the fifth-priciest in franchise history. Had either player reached free agency this week, he would have been considered the best available at his position.
On Sunday, Poles agreed to give two-time Pro Bowl safety Kevin Byard a two-year, $15 million contract. He, too, was one of the top available players at his position.
There’s nothing preventing Poles from spending on those three and still making a splash in free agency. He has the money: The Bears’ $57.2 million in cap space is the fourth-most in the league as of Wednesday, according to Spotrac.
What’s stopping him? The top end of the market exploded this week, as it does every year. But that didn’t stop the other teams with the most to spend:
- The Texans, who had the fourth-most cap space entering Monday, agreed to give edge rusher and Houston-area native Danielle Hunter a two-year, $49 million deal. The total cash he’ll make this year is second-highest among all edge rushers.
- The Titans, who started the week with the second-most cap space, signed Calvin Ridley to a four-year, $92 million contract Wednesday. The $50 million he’s guaranteed is the second-most of any receiver in the NFL, behind only the Dolphins’ Tyreek Hill.
- The Commanders, who led the NFL in cap space at the start of the week, have made the third-most free-agent signings this week, according to Spotrac.
- The Patriots, who had the third-most cap space, have made the second-most.
The Bears?
Poles signed a starter to reinforce an already strong group of running backs — and apparently is still working on the rest.
