Dan Campbell's coaching tree sprouted its first branches this offseason, with former Detroit Lions coordinators Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn accepting head coaching jobs.
Now, it remains to be seen if the former Lions coaches will pursue Lions players set to become NFL free agents. The Lions have 22 players who will be unrestricted free agents when the new league year officially begins Wednesday afternoon. Teams can start negotiations with players from other teams on Monday afternoon, during the league's legal tampering period.
The Bears, coming off a 5-12 season and last-place finish in the NFC North, hit the ground running in the offseason by landing Johnson, one of the hot names in the NFL coaching cycle after directing the highest-scoring offense in the NFL in Detroit.
Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson answers questions during an introductory news conference at PNC Center at Halas Hall on Jan. 22, 2025 in Lake Forest, Illinois.
This week, the Bears, led by general manager Ryan Poles, addressed their biggest weakness. They beefed up the offensive line by trading for two former Pro Bowl guards: Joe Thuney from the Kansas City Chiefs and Jonah Jackson, a former Lion, from the Los Angeles Rams.
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Here are two Lions pending free agents Johnson and the Bears could look to swipe in free agency, based on positions of need.
ANALYSIS: Ben Johnson still has a few things to learn, as do oversensitive Detroit Lions fans
DL Levi Onwuzurike
Detroit Lions defensive end Levi Onwuzurike (91) pressures Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) during the second half at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025.
The Bears' defensive line struggled last season, ranking 28th in rushing defense (136.3 yards per game) and tied for 16th in sacks (40). The Bears have one high-end talent on the line in defensive end Montez Sweat, but could stand to upgrade their pass rush.
Onwuzurike stayed fully healthy for the Lions and moved between defensive tackle and defensive end. He is one of the top interior defensive linemen available on the open market, and is projected to receive $8 million per year on a new deal, according to Over The Cap.
OT Dan Skipper
Detroit Lions offensive tackle Dan Skipper (70), center, practices at Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park on Friday, Jan.3, 2025.
Skipper, the Lions' sixth offensive lineman in jumbo sets and backup tackle behind Penei Sewell and Taylor Decker, could be another option. The Bears need depth on the offensive line even after making a few trades to upgrade the front. Skipper has been a locker room and fan favorite in Detroit, "the most popular scrub" in football and a part of trick plays under Johnson the past few seasons, even catching a touchdown against Buffalo.
