Free agency begins next month, and the Chicago Bears have plenty of decisions to make both in-house and on the open market. With multiple areas of need, free agency and the NFL draft will be important for new general manager Ryan Poles.

Luckily, Poles — and the rest of the world — will get a good luck at some pending free agents that are playing in the big game on Sunday, which includes options at some positions of need on offense and defense.

With all eyes on the Super Bowl, here are eight pending free agents the Bears should keep an eye on Super Sunday.

WR Odell Beckham Jr. (Rams)

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One of the most glaring needs on offense is wide receiver, where Darnell Mooney is the only sure thing on the roster at this point. While Odell Beckham Jr. has had a tumultuous season going from the Browns to the Rams, he’s had a bit of a revival since joining Los Angeles. Beckham has thrived in the postseason, and he’s the kind of experienced wideout that would be a good complement to Mooney. Chicago needs to surround quarterback Justin Fields with weapons, and Beckham certainly is that. Beckham has made it clear that he’d like to remain with the Rams. But nothing’s set in stone just yet.

TE C.J. Uzomah (Bengals)

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While tight end isn’t often mentioned as one of Chicago’s more glaring needs, Cole Kmet is the only tight end currently under contract in 2022. The Bears could bring back some familiar faces like Jesse James or Jesper Horsted this offseason, but Bengals tight end C.J. Uzomah is an intriguing option. Uzomah, a former fifth-round draft selection, is coming off a career year with Cincinnati, and he could certainly test the waters of free agency. Kmet and Uzomah would make quite the 1-2 punch at tight end, providing another weapon for Fields.

C Brian Allen (Rams)

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The offensive line will be a focal point this offseason, where there are no shortage of needs. There are questions at tackle and within the interior, including at center. Sam Mustipher isn’t a starting NFL center, and the Bears need to decide what they’re going to do at center. Whether that’s moving Cody Whitehair back to center or turning to free agency or the NFL draft. If they go the free agent route, Rams center Brian Allen should be a top target. Allen, who sat out 2020 due to a setback in his knee recovery, had an impressive season that earned him Pro Bowl alternate honors. Allen is the best center due to hit free agency, and he’s also from the Chicagoland area.

CB Darious Williams (Rams)

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The Bears weren’t very deep at cornerback last season, something Poles figures to fix in free agency and the NFL draft. While Jaylon Johnson has a bright future as CB1, there’s a glaring hole opposite him. Perhaps that could be filled by Rams cornerback Darious Williams, who solidified himself as a starting cornerback in the NFL this season. Lining up opposite Jalen Ramsey, Williams has seen his fair share of targets, which should continue Sunday. He’ll face the tall task of going against some dangerous Bengals weapons in Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. The Bears have an in-house option at cornerback in Thomas Graham Jr., who impressed in limited action as a rookie.

S Jessie Bates (Bengals)

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Sticking with the secondary, the Bears will be in need of a starting safety opposite Eddie Jackson. With Eberflus and defensive coordinator Alan Williams in place, we could see Jackson at free safety, where he thrived in his first couple of seasons. While Rams safety Jessie Bates has served as a free safety, he came out of the NFL draft as a prototypical strong safety, who would serve as a nice complement to Jackson. Bates is an obvious franchise tag candidate for the Bengals this offseason, who could choose to lock down their star safety long-term.

DE B.J. Hill (Bengals)

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The Bears defensive line is set to undergo some changes, including a scheme change to a 4-3 base defense. Chicago is also likely losing Akiem Hicks to free agency, have a decision to make about Bilal Nichols and Eddie Goldman could be a cap casualty. Which is why Bengals defensive end B.J. Hill is an intriguing prospect to watch. Hill had his most productive season of his career with 5.5 sacks and 29 QB pressures, and he’s someone who could dominate on this defensive line. Hill has looked even better this postseason with an increased workload after the Bengals lost Larry Ogunjobi to injury.

OG Austin Corbett (Rams)

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Did I mention the Bears have a lot of question marks on the offensive line? Cody Whitehair figures to be the only interior lineman currently under contract, which would leave two spots to fill. Chicago could bring back James Daniels, who’s just 24 and has been solid. Or they could turn to someone like Rams guard Austin Corbett, who like Daniels brings versatility to the position as he can play guard or center. Poles knows the kind of offensive linemen he’s looking for, so we’ll see if Corbett winds up being an option if the Bears choose to move on from Daniels.

DT Larry Ogunjobi (Bengals)

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So, technically Ogunjobi won’t be playing in the Super Bowl after suffering a season-ending right foot injury during the wild-card round of the playoffs. But given the Bears are transitioning to a 4-3 defense under Eberflus, Ogunjobi is a quality 3-technique that would fit Chicago’s new defensive scheme. When looking at the current defensive tackle free agent class, Ogunjobi leads the way with seven sacks and 16 QB pressures in 2021, something that could help a Bears pass rush already loaded with talent on the edge.