Which new Bears veteran will make the biggest impact in 2025?

The Chicago Bears welcomed plenty of new faces to the roster this offseason, be it through free agency, trade or the NFL draft in new head coach Ben Johnson's first season.
There were some key veteran additions made by general manager Ryan Poles, including the acquisitions of All-Pro guard Joe Thuney and guard Jonah Jackson via trade, as well as center Drew Dalman, defensive tackle Grady Jarrett and defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo in free agency.
With that in mind, our Bears Wire staff is sharing their thoughts on which veteran newcomer is poised to have the biggest impact in 2025, and there are no shortage of options.
Alyssa Barbieri: LG Joe Thuney
The Bears made several impactful additions this offseason, most notably along the offensive line with guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson, as well as center Drew Dalman. But when looking at those newcomers, Thuney has the potential to have the biggest impact given his resume and proven production. He's coming off an All-Pro season where he even kicked out to left tackle, but he thrived at left guard protecting Patrick Mahomes.
Now, Thuney brings that experience, production and leadership to a revamped Chicago offensive line that will be crucial to quarterback Caleb Williams' success. And if rookie Ozzy Trapilo wins the starting left tackle job, Thuney will be even more crucial for Trapilo as he acclimates to the pro game. When push comes to shove, the Bears will only go as far as Williams takes them. And Williams will only go as far as his offensive line allows.
Brendan Sugrue: DT Grady Jarrett
With how much the Bears have retooled their offensive and defensive lines, there isn't a wrong answer to this question. Joe Thuney, Drew Dalman, and Jonah Jackson should all have a big impact on the offensive line this year. But I'm going with Grady Jarrett, who provides much-needed leadership for the defensive front.
Jarrett may be on the downswing of his career, but having a full year removed from his torn ACL should allow for a bounce-back season, even though his 2024 campaign was solid. His 30 solo tackles and nine tackles for loss would have led all Bears defensive interior linemen last year. Jarrett still has enough left in the tank, and his presence should elevate the rest of the defensive line.
Outside of his performance on the field, Jarrett is a true leader in the locker room, something the Bears were missing on the defensive line last year. His ability to lead and take young players such as Gervon Dexter and Shemar Turner under his wing shouldn't go unnoticed. Jarrett is someone who can provide a spark on and off the field that the Bears haven't seen from the position since Akiem Hicks.
Mike Pendleton: LG Joe Thuney
Protecting Caleb Williams is of the utmost importance, but more than that, Thuney is the most accomplished veteran the Bears acquired this offseason. While getting the offensive line performance to be better than the disaster they were last year will be a big key, but being able to establish a relationship with Caleb Williams and teach him along the way could be critical for the offense.
Thuney also provides veteran leadership, multiple Super Bowl championships, and experience that is hard to match in the NFL. His talent is undeniable, but so is his leadership, and he should quickly help establish a winning attitude and positive culture inside the locker room. Ben Johnson and the offensive coaching staff may get all the attention for their work with Caleb Williams, but Joe Thuney could be one of the biggest mentors for the young quarterback looking to take the next step in his career.
Vincent Parise: C Drew Dalman
Developing Caleb Williams in Year 2 is the most important thing for the Chicago Bears. That is why their offensive line getting some upgrades was the biggest need of the offseason. For that reason, you could have chosen any of Drew Dalman, Jonah Jackson or Joe Thuney as the veteran addition who will make the most impact. Drew Dalman gets the tiebreaker for being a center. It's been a very long time since Chicago has had a good center, and Dalman would love to change that narrative.
Being the guy who directly hands the ball to Williams and plays a key role in protecting him, it is easy to understand his importance. If Dalman stays healthy and plays the style that earned him the contract, the Bears will see a major upgrade from what they've had. Having a great center will stabilize the line as a whole, which already looks much better than it's been.
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