The Chicago Bears have officially found their head coach in Ben Johnson, but now the real challenge begins: building a roster capable of competing in a highly competitive NFC North. With a new coaching direction, the Bears have an opportunity to reshape their roster and could be aggressive in free agency to address their many needs, particularly on the offensive line.

One major area where the Bears could look to make an immediate splash is the interior offensive line. NFL executives, including Jeremy Fowler, have predicted that the Bears will make a serious push to sign Kansas City Chiefs guard Trey Smith in the upcoming offseason. As Fowler notes, the hiring of Ben Johnson is a clear signal that the Bears are committed to improving their offense, and a key component of that plan will be fortifying the offensive line.

“High on general manager Ryan Poles’ list of improvements will be an underachieving offensive line. Chiefs free agent guard Trey Smith could be an immediate fit,” Fowler explained. “They need help there at guard after the Nate Davis fiasco, and Trey is far and away the best option.”

Smith, who is coming off his first Pro Bowl selection, would be a welcome addition to a Bears offensive line that allowed the most sacks in the league last season. Quarterback Caleb Williams, a potential future star for the Bears, was sacked an astounding 68 times last season — a staggering number that left him vulnerable and hampered the entire offense. Adding a player like Smith could be a game-changer for the Bears, both in protecting their quarterback and establishing a stronger, more stable offensive front.

At 6’6″ and 330 pounds, Smith has been an integral part of the Chiefs’ success over the last several seasons, contributing to two Super Bowl victories. His consistency and durability stand out, having missed only one game in the past four seasons. Spotrac projects that Smith will command a four-year, $78 million contract in free agency, reflecting his value as one of the league’s premier guards.

As Ben Johnson sets his sights on building a dynamic and efficient offense, improving the offensive line will be paramount. Adding Trey Smith could be the first step in a series of bold moves that help elevate the Bears to contention. With the right investments, the Bears could transform into a much more dangerous team — and Smith could be the key to unlocking their full potential.