The Chicago Bears were right up against the salary cap heading into the 2025 season, which prompted them to restructure a top defender’s contract to free up some space.
According to ESPN’s Field Yates, the Bears created $8 million in salary cap space by restructuring cornerback Jaylon Johnson’s current deal. Now, Chicago has some room to make a potential move before the season kicks into gear.
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The Bears have an obvious need at edge rusher with Montez Sweat the only proven guy on the roster. Newcomer Dayo Odeyingbo will flank him off the edge, but there are massive depth questions with second-year pro Austin Booker on short-term injured reserve with a knee injury.
Booker will miss at least the first four games of the season, leaving Dominique Robinson and Daniel Hardy as rotational depth off the edge. But they’re more fringe roster guys than true depth, which could indicate a potential move in the works.
According to CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz, the Bears are hosting former New Orleans Saints defensive end Isaiah Foskey for a workout this week. The former second-round pick played under defensive coordinator Dennis Allen for a brief stint in New Orleans (2023-24), which could indicate a potential reunion.
We’ll see if that’s a move that winds up happening, especially as Foskey is also set to work out for the Philadelphia Eagles next week. But it certainly feels like this is a move made with something in mind.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears free up salary cap space: Jaylon Johnson contract restructure