Ben Johnson Could Snag Another Lions Favorite for the Bears

The Chicago Bears are hoping for a blockbuster season in a few months when the season officially kicks off, and there’s a lots of hope behind new head coach Ben Johnson. But, there are still a few holes in the Bears’ lineup, and if they want to surround Caleb Williams with the kind of talent that he needs to thrive, they’ll have to look at that during the remaining part of the offseason.

It’s possible the Bears could bring in another Detroit Lions favorite to fill one of those remaining gaps in the lineup. That would likely make the Lions fanbase not too happy, which could make the Bears smile even more.

Another Detroit Lions Player to the Chicago Bears?

In a June 17 feature for Bleacher Report, Kristopher Knox going through every NFL Team’s to-do tally for the rest of the 2025 offseason. In the piece, he notes that the NFL has “finally reached the quiet portion of the 2025 NFL offseason. Organized team activities (OTAs) and most mandatory minicamps are over, which means many players are essentially off until the start of training camps.”

For the Bears, the thing he wants to see the team to do is “install Ben Johnson’s offense.” But, he also wants to see the team sign another pass rusher.

“Defensively, Chicago could use another pass-rusher in its rotation,” he notes. “The Bears signed Dayo Odeyingbo to complement Montez Sweat, but the edge depth behind those two is questionable.”

Knox adds that, “Fortunately, proven pass-rushers like Za’Darius Smith, Preston Smith and Von Miller remain unsigned. It would be smart to add one of them before the start of camp.”

Lions fans likely know that name, Za’Darius Smith. He was instrumental for the Lions last season when Aidan Hutchinson was out with a season-ending injury, and he’s currently a free agent. How wild would it be for Johnson to sign Smith, right when Detroit is also in need of another solid pass rusher?

Bears Urged to Bring on an Edge

In a June 17 piece for ChiCity Sports, Dan Fappiano names Smith as a free agent Johnson could target.

In the piece, he notes that “the Bears gave edge rusher Dayo Odeyingbo a three-year, $48 million contract during the offseason” and “he should form a potent tandem with Montez Sweat on the outside of Chicago’s defensive line.”

But, he notes that “the options behind that duo are all unheralded. Za’Darius Smith gives the Bears another proven edge rusher.”

Smith is a total veteran. The free agent will mark 11 years in the NFL in the 2025 season. Over the course of his career, he has made 333 tackles, 173 quarterback hits and 69 sacks.

“At this stage of his career, the veteran would function as a rotational pass rusher,” Fappiano notes. “But having to face off against Sweat and Odeyingbo right into Smith would strike fear into all opposing quarterbacks.”

Fappiano adds, “If Smith were to sign with the Bears, he will have officially played for every team in the NFC North. As Chicago looks for extra pass rush, his services may be exactly what the team needs.”