(Photo: © Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images, 247Sports)
On the opening slide, we mentioned that the Bears enter next offseason with $8.73M in cap space. That's a number that could change but as of right now, there are a handful of names whose days could be numbered in a navy blue and orange jersey.
While it's unlikely that the Bears purge many of the older veterans on the roster next offseason, there are a few names who could be cut before or after June 1st to give the Bears some much-needed financial flexibility. Part of the rationale behind moving on from some older players on the roster will include handing out contract extensions to core players who will continue to be a part of the franchise's long-term plans. The front office will also need to recognize that as rosters get more expensive, moving on from older veterans will be a necessity, as will drafting and developing talent.
It's likely the Bears choose to move on from Grady Jarrett, Dayo Odeyingbo, and T.J. Edwards. Other names that could potentially be released because they have no guaranteed money left include Montez Sweat, Jaylon Johnson, Joe Thuney, Jonah Jackson, Cole Kmet, Neville Gallimore, and D'Marco Jackson.
And if the front office chooses to move on from any of the veterans above, the money may not kick in until June 1st, 2027, depending on how Ryan Poles and the front office opts to designate each cut.
Player Name Pre-June 1st Post-June 1st Dead Money
Grady Jarrett $13.5M $13.5M $4M
Dayo Odeyingbo $15M $15M $4.5M
T.J. Edwards $8.5M $8.5M $2.33M
Montez Sweat $21M $21M $4.08M
Jaylon Johnson $16M $16M $9M
Joe Thuney $16.5M $16.5M $5M
Jonah Jackson $13.5M $13.5M $10.25M
Cole Kmet $10M $10M $5.42M
Neville Gallimore $4.62M $4.62M $1.5M
D'Marco Jackson $3.5M $3.5M $937,500
Unless the Bears are really strapped for cash, they likely aren't going to cut every player listed in the table above. But it's worth noting that moving on from Odeyingbo, Jarrett, and Edwards will create $37M in cap space. Add that to what the Bears are currently projected to have, and Chicago could be hovering around $45M in cap space for next year.
In the event that the front office opts to move on from every player listed above, Chicago would create $122.12M in cap space and, combined with the already projected $8.73M, have $130.85M. Chicago could also extend Kmet, Johnson, Thuney, and Jonah Jackson, lowering their cap hits and creating more cap space if needed.