The Chicago Bears have more holes on their roster than most would expect coming off an NFC North crown. While the Detroit Lions haven't had a picture-perfect offseason, they can at least have solace in the fact that their divisional rival, who just occupied the division's ever-changing time-share in first place, has regressed despite a few notable signings.
Detroit has added some key wins across the depth chart, including center Cade Mays, cornerback Roger McCreary, and EDGE D.J. Wonnum. Isiah Pacheco, if healthy, has a chance to provide explosive plays out of the backfield in David Montgomery's stead, but at a fraction of the price. It wasn't the most headline-grabbing haul, but there were some positives.
The Lions also dealt with some key losses, including linebacker Alex Anzalone, starting left tackle Taylor Decker, and IOL Graham Glasgow. Still, there's hope that Anzalone's replacement could be found in-house or via the draft. Larry Borom was signed to potentially replace Decker indirectly, with Penei Sewell switching from RT to LT. If we're being honest, Glasnow was becoming a straight-up liability in pass-blocking and is now still searching for a new home.
Chicago, meanwhile, had a few strong headline-grabbing signings but also replaced effective starters with guys that other fanbases were hoping to have removed from their respective teams. There are needs across the defensive trenches, at safety beyond Coby Bryant, and at center behind newcomer Garrett Bradbury, who was acquired for cheap from the New England Patriots for a good reason. Swapping Tremaine Edmunds with Jack Sanborn at defensive signal-caller also has disaster written all over it.
After trading DJ Moore, though, there are serious questions about who Caleb Williams's WR3 is. Odds are it won't be former Lions WR Kalif Raymond, who Detroit effectively replaced with Greg Dortch anyway.
Bears' Free Agency Poach of Kalif Raymond Lions Fell Flat
It definitely would've made more sense for the Bears to have poached Raymond from the Lions had Dan Campbell not found a new playcaller in Drew Petzing, whom Campbell is handing off full autonomy to.
Raymond doesn't have any familiarity with the playbook, only offering a glimpse into Detroit's locker room culture. That isn't exactly nothing, but that won't swing any of the two regular-season games against the Lions in Chicago's favor this fall. Not when Dortch is probably an upgrade as a return specialist, who could factor more heavily into the passing game.
Chicago made a few moves that should send a jolt to #OnePride Nation, and that was expected. However, overall, the Lions are built to beat the Bears this season, perhaps running the score up to 4-0 in 2025 and 2026.