Daniel Hardy
Getty
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - DECEMBER 14: Daniel Hardy #92 of the Chicago Bears warms up prior to a game against the Cleveland Browns at Soldier Field on December 14, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the Chicago Bears have re-signed key special teamer and defensive lineman Daniel Hardy to a two-year deal worth up to $6 million.
“Sources: The#Bears and DL/special teamer Daniel Hardy have agreed to a 2-year deal worth up to $6M,” Schultz wrote on a post on X. “A former 7th-round pick, Hardy had over 20 special teams tackles this past season and was selected as a Pro Bowl alternate.”
Hardy, 6’2″ and 255 lbs, has been one of special teams coordinator Richard Hightower’s most trusted players on special teams and has appeared in all 17 games for the Bears since joining the team back in 2024.
The Bears re-sign one of their most trusted players before the start of free agency.
Jordan Schultz
Sources: The #Bears and DL/special teamer Daniel Hardy have agreed to a 2-year deal worth up to $6M.
A former 7th-round pick, Hardy had over 20 special teams tackles this past season and was selected as a Pro Bowl alternate.
Rumors on Bears’ Free Agency Plans
ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler provided some details on what direction the Bears want to take during free agency.
“The Chicago Bears freed up around $17 million in cap space with the D.J. Moore trade, which they will need in free agency to aid the defense. Yes, they could use pass-rush help. But I don’t sense Chicago is desperate for a splashy pass rusher. Much will depend on price. Interior rush help could be the way to go. To replace Tremaine Edmunds, Alex Anzalone is a name to watch. Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen was with him in New Orleans and he’s good in coverage. At safety, my sense is the Bears will attempt to re-sign Kevin Byard III over the weekend but will let Jaquan Brisker walk.”
As Fowler noted, Anzalone is a name to watch. The Athletic’s Daniel Popper has him projected to sign a two-year, $21 million deal, writing, “Anzalone is a fast, flexible, fluid off-ball linebacker who is slippery when evading blockers in the run game and as a pass rusher. He is a sticky, versatile player in coverage. He wins with speed and athleticism but lacks some physicality as a run defender. Anzalone is a very effective blitzer, and his 29 percent pressure rate was second among all off-ball linebackers.”
As for the Bears’ situation at safety, it does appear Brisker will walk during free agency, and Chicago is trying to re-sign Byard at the moment.
David Kaplan of ESPN1000 noted last week that there’s a good chance Byard re-signs with the Bears, saying, “Kevin Byard I was told by somebody who would know, that he is 70/30 that he’s going to be a Bear. They’re working on it. They’re trying to get a deal done that’s fair for both sides.”
Bears Projected Salary Cap Heading into FA
With the Bears’ move retaining Hardy, the team should be sitting around $23 million, according to OvertheCap.com.
As Fowler mentioned, he doesn’t expect Chicago to make a big-time signing for a pass rusher during free agency. Instead, Bears general manager Ryan Poles will likely take a cheaper route, just as he did trading for New England Patriots center Garrett Bradbury instead of making a run at Baltimore Ravens impending free agent center Tyler Linderbaum.
Speaking of the Ravens, Fowler also mentioned this regarding the Bears and their connection with Maxx Crosby during the whole trade saga.
“The Chicago Bears monitored the situation, but the sense was they weren’t major players in the end.”
Poles could surprise everyone and make a major move during free agency, but with major issues to address on defense and limited cap space, Fowler doesn’t expect Chicago to draw massive headlines.