Ben Johnson's Bears Reportedly Show Interest in $18M Lions Star
NFL, American Football Herren, USA Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears Jan 4, 2026 Chicago, Illinois, USA Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson looks on from the sideline against the Detroit Lions during the first half at Soldier Field. Chicago Soldier Field Illinois USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xDavidxBanksx 20260104_jcd_bb6_0049
NFL, American Football Herren, USA Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears Jan 4, 2026 Chicago, Illinois, USA Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson looks on from the sideline against the Detroit Lions during the first half at Soldier Field. Chicago Soldier Field Illinois USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xDavidxBanksx 20260104_jcd_bb6_0049
The Chicago Bears might start their free agency by answering the open linebacker spot when the trade starts.
As per ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler, Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone is one of the big free agents looking for a potential new team.
Ben Johnson's Bears could close the deal, being the eventual beneficiaries.
The Bears are expected to go for Anzalone after they decide to move away from their linebacker, Tremaine Edmunds. That move, along with some others, has freed up the cap space for moves this offseason.
"To replace Tremaine Edmunds, Alex Anzalone is a name to watch. Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen was with him in New Orleans, and he’s good in coverage. At safety, my sense is the Bears will attempt to re-sign Kevin Byard III over the weekend but will let Jaquan Brisker walk.”
While the Bears won’t be showing their desperation for a pass-rusher like Anzalone, they could very well use his versatility. He is excellent at coverage.
However, it is in disrupting and cutting plays at the source that he is truly a genius. He fares significantly in tracking the ball-carrier. In the 2025 season, Anzalone played 16 games for the Lions, recording 52 solo tackles and 2.5 sacks.
If they decide to sign Anzalone, it would cost them significantly less money.
Why the Ben Johnson' Bears are frontrunners to land Detroit Lions' Anzalone?
Anzalone could be a big addition for the Bears, given how they have approached this free agency.
They began what many perceived as a defensive overhaul after releasing Tremaine Edmunds this offseason. Now that they need a leader and a linebacker, the Bears might turn their gaze towards Anzalone.
The 31-year-old star comes with an experience that the Bears might be able to use, especially as someone who could help rebuild and anchor the Bears’ defense. While he was at the Lions, he was consistently the most reliable veteran on the roster.
Moreover, there's another big factor that could massively help the Bears land, Anzalone. Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen and the linebacker share a history. Allen coached the Anzalone when they were at the New Orleans Saints.
Given how crucial the coaching roles are, it could play a big role in Alex joining the Bears. And obviously, Ben Johnson, who is now coaching the Bears, coached the Lions until 2024, for most of Anzalone’s career in Detroit.
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Written by
Nandjee Ranjan
Edited by
Kalp Thaker