According to Over The Cap, the Chicago Bears have re-signed restricted free agent Daniel Hardy to a two-year deal worth $4.97 million, with $2.45 million guaranteed at signing. His contract includes a $1.225 million signing bonus, and he can also earn an additional $1.0 million through performance incentives and salary escalators.
His cap hit in 2026 will be $2.45 million.
Last year, Hardy gave the Bears some positional flexibility by being able to play some linebacker and defensive end (and a few reps at fullback), but it’s his special teams play that shines. For the second year in a row, the 27-year-old Hardy led the Bears in special teams tackles. In 2024, he tied for the team lead with 11, while adding a forced fumble and a block, and last season he had 19 tackles.
Hardy, a seventh-round pick of the Rams in 2022, was on Chicago’s practice squad all of 2023 before making the 53-man roster the following season. In the last two years, he has played in all 34 games for the Bears, while appearing in around 80% of their snaps in the third phase.
What are your thoughts on the Bears bringing Hardy back?