BIG BOOST; Bears Get $35mil More in Salary Cap in 4 Restructure Options+ New Asst GM Candidate

BIG BOOST; Bears Get $35mil More in Salary Cap in 4 Restructure Options+ New Asst GM Candidate

The Chicago Bears are entering a pivotal offseason with a clear financial strategy: create flexibility, retain core contributors, and position themselves to compete in the NFC North. By restructuring key contracts — including DJ Moore, Montez Sweat, Joe Thuney, and Drew Dalman — Chicago could reportedly free up nearly $35 million in salary cap space. That number is massive for a team looking to extend its competitive window and re-sign important veterans like Kevin Byard and D’Marco Jackson.

Let’s break down how this works. DJ Moore remains the Bears’ WR1 and offensive centerpiece. After posting another high-volume season with elite target share, red-zone production, and strong yards-after-catch efficiency, Moore’s contract is a prime restructure candidate. Converting base salary into bonus money lowers the immediate cap hit while keeping the long-term core intact. Moore’s route-running precision and ability to win at all three levels make him essential to the offense’s spacing and explosiveness.

On the defensive side, Montez Sweat continues to anchor the pass rush. Since arriving in Chicago, Sweat has generated consistent pressure, strong sack totals, and disruptive quarterback hits. His ability to collapse the pocket on third down changes games. Restructuring Sweat’s deal creates space without sacrificing defensive dominance. In a division featuring high-powered passing attacks, keeping Sweat financially manageable while maintaining production is critical.

Joe Thuney brings championship pedigree and interior line stability. His pass protection win rate and run-blocking efficiency help define Chicago’s offensive identity. Meanwhile, center Drew Dalman provides communication, protection calls, and trench consistency that keeps the offense on schedule. Both are logical restructure candidates because of their leadership value and positional importance.

Why is this $35 million cushion so important? Re-signing Kevin Byard and D’Marco Jackson could be at the top of the priority list. Byard’s veteran presence in the secondary has stabilized coverage communication and reduced explosive plays allowed. His football IQ, tackling reliability, and leadership are hard to replace. Jackson, meanwhile, provides depth and special teams value while flashing developmental upside on defense. Keeping foundational depth pieces matters when building sustained success.

Beyond roster construction, the front office itself could see changes. With Ian Cunningham potentially heading to the Falcons, Trey Koziol is emerging as a strong candidate to step into the Assistant GM role. Koziol’s extensive scouting background makes him a logical successor. Talent evaluation is the backbone of sustained success, and his experience in college scouting, draft preparation, and roster grading could be pivotal as Chicago builds toward the 2026 NFL Draft. Continuity in the front office ensures alignment between coaching, scouting, and financial planning.

Speaking of the draft, keep an eye on Oregon standout Isaiah World as a potential second-round target in the 2026 NFL Draft. World’s length, athleticism, and physicality project well at the next level. His pass protection traits, lateral quickness, and ability to anchor against power rushers make him an intriguing fit for a Bears offensive line focused on balance and durability. Adding a high-upside lineman in Round 2 would reinforce the trenches while keeping cap flexibility intact.

The big picture is clear: restructure smartly, retain impact veterans, promote internal front-office talent, and draft strategically. The Bears are positioning themselves not just to compete, but to sustain success in a loaded NFC North. Cap management, scouting development, and draft execution will define this era of Chicago football.

Stay tuned for the latest Chicago Bears news, Bears rumors, salary cap updates, NFL Draft coverage, roster breakdowns, and NFC North analysis.

Follow us daily for Bears content:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaychicagobears/?hl=en

Twitter/X: https://x.com/JAYChi_Bears

Shop the merch: https://www.redbubble.com/people/JAYChiBears/shop?asc=u&ref=account-nav-dropdown

#ChicagoBears #BearsNews #BearsRumors #DaBears #NFL #NFCNorth #DJMoore #MontezSweat #JoeThuney #DrewDalman #KevinByard #DMarcoJackson #TreyKoziol #IanCunningham #IsaiahWorld #NFLDraft #NFLDraft2026 #BearsCapSpace #SalaryCap #BearsOffseason #ChicagoFootball #BearsNation #NFLNews #BearsCoverage #WindyCityFootball #BearsRoster #NFLUpdates #FootballTalk #BearsTalk #OffseasonMoves #FrontOffice #DraftTargets #BearsDefense #BearsOffense #TrenchPlay #NFLRumors #ChicagoSports #BearsDaily #ProFootball #RosterBuilding #CapManagement #NFLAnalysis #MidwestFootball #BearsFans #GridironNews