The Super Bowl’s end doesn’t mean we’re done talking football. Y’all know that by now. There is no real offseason, with the NFL combine just two weeks away and NFL free agency starting but a few weeks after that.

So we can move swiftly into talent acquisition talk, with so many eyes on Chicago’s NFL draft options and the internal free agents they could re-sign (or not).

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That’s where the questions led us in this week’s Bair Mail, where we discuss Keenan Allen’s future, my case for leaving Braxton Jones alone at left tackle and where the Bears can acquire draft value along the offensive and defensive lines.

Also, please add a question or comment in the form below to be part of next Wednesday’s installment. The more good questions I get, the more we discuss. Appreciate everyone for chiming in and to the regulars who are loyal to the mailbag. Thanks for your support, which drives us to keep this thing going all year long.

Jason Orlopp from Joliet, Ill.

Keenan Allen was pretty good at the end of the season, but he’s an older guy at this point. Should the Bears bring him back?

Bair: I spoke to Keenan Allen near last season’s end, and he’s open to the prospect of a return to the Bears. That was obviously before Ben Johnson got hired, and I’d expect his addition only strengthened Allen’s resolve. He said he’d like to play in Los Angeles or Chicago, narrowing focus to three teams.

The money must be right, far below the $18.1 million base salary earned in 2024 after Ryan Poles acquired him in trade. Spotrac has assigned Allen an $11.1 million average annual value. If that’s a one-year deal, Chicago should strike. Same thing if it’s two without much guaranteed the second season.

Caleb Williams is another factor in all this. He said on the St. Brown podcast that Keenan is probably the best player he has played with as a pro. Allen helped Williams at his pro day and proved an elite route runner (as he has always been) and so savvy reading coverages that he would host his own skill players meeting.

Running it back with Allen, D.J. Moore and Rome Odunze sounds like a solid option. The Bears can spend on Allen with their current cap space. If the goal’s to make Williams comfortable, keeping Allen seems prudent.

A counter to that: the Bears could sign someone with true breakaway speed to take the top off the defense, which might come a bit cheaper and could spread things out some.

Arthur Tulpa from La Grange, Ill.

Should the bears draft offensive line with their first 4 selections

Bair: I understand the need to throw volume at the situation, considering how much of a need it happens to be, but the Bears have other positional needs. Count edge rusher and running back high among them.

I think the interior line needs the most work, with the starting guards and center likely playing elsewhere. The Bears have money to spend on a veteran or two to work the interior. I would also say this. Darnell Wright is locked in at right tackle. And Braxton Jones is a better player than many give him credit for. The left tackle allowed five sacks and just 26 total pressures, while grading out decently well as a run blocker. My point is that Jones isn’t someone who simply must be replaced, assuming he comes out of ankle surgery well. They need a backup for him so, so bad, but the focus could be on the interior.

The Bears need pressure off the edge on defense and a running back that truly fits Ben Johnson’s scheme. A five-win team doesn’t just need help in one area. There are some deficiencies, and both Johnson and defensive coordinator Dennis Allen will have some thoughts about skill sets needed to best fit their schemes.

Bif Loucks from Montana

What are your thoughts on the EDGE depth compared to the O-line depth in the draft? It appears there is still good value at the G position in the middle rounds, but EDGE looks to be depleted early based off of early mocks I’ve done.

Bair: At this point in the pre-draft process, I always defer to the experts who have been studying draft prospects all year, while I was covering the Bears. Seems only right until I can dive further into the draft class.

This defensive line class is highly touted, with tons of talent across big boards and into the middle rounds of this draft. I’ve been a contrarian to this point, saying the Bears don’t need to go offensive line at the top if a freak pass rusher is available at No. 10. I still stand by that, but if we’re looking at depth and where the Bears can get value, a quality edge rusher could still be available in later on. As proof, The Athletic’s Dan Brugler has 17 edge rushers in his top 100. That’s, you know, a lot.

Maybe the Bears could get a guard in the third, as quality at those positions always extends a bit.

If Chicago’s looking for a plug-and-play offensive lineman, especially a career tackle they can push inside for a bit, the top 10’s the spot to make the safest bet. With the Bears having three picks in the top 41, they can address needs and value on Day 2 considering the depth available.

Submit your Bears questions and comments below for inclusion in the next Wednesday mailbag. 👇