Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Chicago Bears moves are making Detroit Lions players panic

Originally posted on ChiCitySports | By Jordan Sigler | Last updated Mar 11, 2025 12:44 PM ET

The Chicago Bears have made the type of moves on paper that have made them a contender for the NFC North in 2025. At least that’s the vibe coming from Detroit Lions players after Monday’s reported deals during the legal tampering period of free agency.

The Lions and locker room had their hearts broken, following their loss in the divisional round to the Washington Commanders, when Ben Johnson chose to leave Detroit to become a head coach in the NFC North for the Bears.

Now Johnson has a scary team before the Bears have four scheduled selections in the first 72 picks of April’s draft. Last week, the Bears added two starting guards in former Lions OL Jonah Jackson and four-time All-Pro Joe Thuney via trades.

The Chicago Bears are scaring the league

On Monday, the Bears agreed to deals with center Drew Dalman, defensive tackle Grady Jarrett, and defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo.

On his most recent episode of The St. Brown Podcast, Amon-Ra St. Brown complained that he felt like Chicago had “unlimited” cash to add elite talent to their roster.

“Bro, I feel like the Bears have unlimited (expletive) money,” Amon-Ra said to his brother and co-host, Equanimeous St. Brown, who played for the Bears in 2022-2023. “This (expletive) is crazy. They’re just signing new (expletive) for like $40-$50 million.

“Jonah Jackson, bang. Drew Dalman, bang. Dayo, I don’t know how to pronounce the last name…A crazy amount of money. Grady Jarrett, bang. Like, they’re just breaking everybody off…They have unlimited money. What the (expletive) is this? (Expletive) got me hot. This (expletive) Ben’s (Johnson) just making moves, left and right.”

The Detroit Lions have reason to look over their shoulder

Amon-Ra sounds worried that the Bears are coming after the Lions. And they should be. The Bears have the pieces to compete at all levels on the offense and defense. Chicago will be able to draft competent depth early in the draft, something the team hasn’t had the luxury of doing in decades.

If Johnson can get the best out of 2022 Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams, the Bears can absolutely compete for the NFC North, if not more.

This article first appeared on ChiCitySports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: