ClutchPoints
The Chicago Bears enter the 2025 season with as much optimism as they’ve had in decades. A franchise long searching for stability may have finally found its footing. It’s not only because of the headline-grabbing moves that dominated the offseason. It could also be because of the quieter, more under-the-radar players who could play pivotal roles this year. Every successful team has stars, of couse. However, it’s often the hidden gems who turn good teams into great ones. For Chicago, three such players could be major difference-makers when the season kicks off.
It was an ideal offseason for the Bears. The front office executed one of the most comprehensive upgrades across coaching and personnel seen league-wide. At the helm is new head coach Ben Johnson. He is one of the NFL’s brightest offensive minds, paired with respected veteran Dennis Allen as defensive coordinator. That combination alone has injected new life into Halas Hall.
Of course, the Bears didn’t stop there. They rebuilt the offensive line by trading for or signing standouts Joe Thuney, Jonah Jackson, and Drew Dalman. This aggressive approach freed them up to take a “best player available” approach in the draft. It yielded promising rookies like tight end Colston Loveland, wide receiver Luther Burden III, and offensive lineman Ozzy Trapilo.
Oddly, Chicago paid little attention to the running back position this offseason. Maybe that was a calculated decision. This is especially plausible given the shift toward a pass-first identity under Johnson’s system. Yes, offensive storylines have dominated much of the media narrative. That said, Allen’s arrival and the existing defensive pieces position Chicago to take a major leap on that side of the ball as well. Allen’s reputation for versatile, attacking defenses gives reason for excitement as the Bears aim to improve upon their 22nd ranking in Defensive DVOA from 2024.
Beyond the stars and big names, however, several Bears are quietly poised to make substantial impacts in 2025.
Recall that the Bears drafted Gervon Dexter Sr with the 54th overall pick in 2023. Of course, the potential was obvious. Standing 6’6 and weighing 312 pounds, Dexter brought the size and raw athleticism that defensive coordinators dream of. As is often the case with young defensive linemen, though, it took time for him to translate that physical potential into consistent NFL production.
His rookie year provided a glimpse of that learning curve. He had four sacks and 29 pressures, with most of that production coming late in the season. In fact, during the final five weeks of 2023, Dexter’s four sacks tied for the league lead among interior defensive linemen.
Dexter’s sophomore campaign in 2024 saw him take a significant leap forward. Through the first five weeks, his five sacks ranked second among interior defenders. That was behind only Dexter Lawrence of the Giants. Sure, his 15 pressures placed him inside the league’s top seven. Unfortunately, a late-season foot injury slowed his surge, but the signs...
