Two Chicago Bears starters believed to be 'on the hot seat' after 2025 season

While the Chicago Bears didn't accomplish their ultimate goal of winning a Super Bowl in 2025, the season was still a success considering the massive turnaround Chicago experienced under first-year head coach Ben Johnson.

Now, the Bears turn their attention to the offseason, when they'll have some tough decisions to make with their own players before heading into free agency.

According to Pro Football Focus' Nic Bodiford, wide receiver DJ Moore and running back D'Andre Swift are "on the hot seat" after last season.

For Moore, Locker points out the veteran wideout had another disappointing season in 2025, which continued the trend of his struggles with quarterback Caleb Williams from 2024.

That, along with the fact that Moore is surrounded by some talented young pass-catchers, could make him expendable soon rather than later.

Much like Pittman, Moore, 28, produced the lowest YPRR average (1.24) and PFF offense grade (68.7 PFF offense grade) among his eight NFL seasons and is surrounded by ascending, young talent. Moore is under contract through 2028 and is unlikely to be cut until 2027, should Chicago choose to do so. He finished as the WR30.

Chicago’s remaining 11 personnel starting pass catchers are all 23 or younger. As detailed above, age is critical in high-end season-long receiving outcomes. Moore will likely operate as Chicago’s No. 4 pass catcher at best next season.

As for Swift, Locker brings up fellow running back Kyle Monangai as a threat to Swift's 2026 role.

That's understandable given how Monangai was far better than expected during his rookie campaign.

Swift, 27, admittedly assuaged these very same concerns from last offseason. Chicago’s seventh-round rookie, running back Kyle Monangai, 23, is already performing at a near-equivalent level despite Swift's five-year edge in experience. Swift earned an 83.4 PFF offense grade and finished as the RB15 this season. Monangai earned a 67.3 PFF offense grade and finished as the RB29.

Swift can maintain the primary passing down role with superior pass-protection play, but Monangai has a chance to take over as the team’s primary rusher and primary player in scoring position next season.

We would agree with Locker on both of these.

Moore's future with the Bears is no doubt bleak given his lackluster production, high salary and the emergences of Colston Loveland, Luther Burden and Rome Odunze. We even believe the Bears could trade him as early as this offseason.

If not, Moore will definitely be a cut candidate in 2027, when his dead money numbers drop significantly.

We would expect to see the Bears run it back with Swift and Monangai for another season, but there's a chance Monangai will see an increased role on the ground if the former seventh-round pick keeps playing as well as he has.

We suspect Swift is probably in his last season with the Bears already, but the odds of that being the case will only increase if Monangai can cement himself in 2026.

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