Chicago Bears sign OT Jedrick Wills

Jedrick Wills's one-year, $1.215M signing earns a C+ Contract Value Index (CVI) — a middling value proposition that reflects the stark gap between his pedigree as a former first-round pick and his current market reality. At the veteran minimum tier, the Bears are essentially acquiring depth at a premium position without long-term commitment, which is pragmatic roster construction but not a steal. The $1.215M AAV signals a reclamation play rather than a confidence vote; the front office is testing whether Wills can remain functional in a scheme fit without mortgaging future flexibility. For a team sitting at 11-6 and positioned as the #2 seed in the NFC North heading into the regular season, this is a calculated hedge — cheap enough to absorb if it doesn't work, but only marginally better than replacement-level option value if it does. The lack of guaranteed money or multi-year framework suggests Chicago views this as a short-term rotation piece, not a cornerstone investment, which aligns with the risk profile of betting on injury recovery or a late-career resurgence.