What Lies Ahead for the Bears After Filling Key Coaching Roles

Senior Bowl (Feb. 3): The Bears place great importance on the Senior Bowl, as it provides valuable insights into potential draft picks. The team has a history of selecting players who participated in this event, making it a key part of their pre-draft evaluation process.

Franchise Tag Window Opens (Feb. 20): NFL teams can use the franchise tag to retain a player for one season if a contract extension isn't reached. This year, the Bears are considering using the franchise tag on Jaylon Johnson, a cornerback, to keep him on the team.

NFL Combine (Feb. 27 - Mar. 4): The NFL Combine showcases top prospects in various drills and workouts, offering a glimpse of their athleticism. However, the real value comes from the information gathered during the event, helping teams make informed draft decisions.

Franchise Tag Deadline (Mar. 5): March 5 is the last day for NFL teams to apply the franchise tag to a player, marking a critical deadline for contract negotiations.

Free Agency Negotiations Begin (Mar. 11): Although the new league year starts a few days later, teams can begin negotiating with free agents and their agents. The Bears may be in the market for wide receivers, interior offensive linemen, and defensive linemen.

Free Agency Begins (Mar. 13): March 13 marks the official start of NFL free agency, when negotiated deals can become official signings. This period can see teams make significant moves to bolster their rosters.

NFL Annual Meeting (Mar. 24 - Mar. 27): Team owners gather for discussions and votes on potential rule changes, shaping the future of the league.

Offseason Workouts Begin (Apr. 15): NFL teams with a new head coach can start offseason workout programs a bit earlier. The Bears, retaining Matt Eberflus, will begin their offseason preparations on this date.

NFL Draft (Apr. 25 - Apr. 27):With the No. 1 overall pick for the second consecutive year, the Bears face intense scrutiny over their draft decisions, with speculation continuing until draft day.

Fifth-Year Option Deadline (May 2): If Justin Fields remains with the Bears, this marks the final day to exercise his fifth-year option, a significant decision for the team.

Rookie Minicamp (May 3-6 or May 10-13): Bears rookies and tryout players will participate in drills and workouts during this minicamp, providing a chance for evaluation and development.

Following these events, the Bears will transition into OTAs, veteran minicamps, and their summer program, ultimately leading up to the start of training camp. The offseason is a busy and critical time for NFL teams, and the Bears are no exception as they prepare for the upcoming season.