Updated March 9, 2026, 8:05 a.m. CT

Free agency frenzy has begun! While NFL free agency officially begins Wednesday, March 11 at 3 p.m. CT, the Chicago Bears have already been making plenty of moves in terms of trades and signings ahead of the start of the new league year.

The negotiating window is officially underway, which is when we should start to hear about potential signings. We’re monitoring all of the cuts, re-signings, trades, restructures and new signings from last week through free agency, which officially kicks off Wednesday.

The Bears are slated to have roughly $26.56 million in salary cap space, according to Over The Cap, which gives general manager Ryan Poles some room to work with as he continues to free up cap space and build up the roster.

Bears Wire is your source to track the comings and goings between now and throughout free agency. Be sure to check back for updates!

Bears not expected to be in Trey Hendrickson sweepstakes

The Bears are expected to be active in free agency, according to Brad Biggs, but they’re not expected to make a big splash. One of the biggest names on the market is edge rusher Trey Hendrickson, who has ties to Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen. And while Chicago needs pass rush help, don’t expect them to land Hendrickson. “I don’t think they’re in the Trey Hendrickson sweepstakes,” says Biggs.

Need a news break? Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more! Bears re-sign linebacker D’Marco Jackson

The Bears are bringing back a key defensive contributor in linebacker D’Marco Jackson, who’s signing a two-year, $7.5 million deal worth up to $10.5 million, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Bears not expected to make big splash at edge rusher in free agency

Edge rusher is certainly a big need for Chicago, especially after mustering just 35 sacks in 2025. But, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, don’t expect the Bears to go after Trey Hendrickson, Jaelan Phillips, Odafe Oweh or another top free-agent edge rusher. They could actually look to target the interior pass rush. “Yes, they could use pass-rush help,” Fowler wrote. “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.”

Bears attempting to re-sign safety Kevin Byard

The Bears have both starting safeties Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker set to hit free agency, along with their top depth options. It always felt like it was re-sign one or the other, not both, between Byard and Brisker. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler shined a light on the safety situation for Chicago, where he indicated the team is attempting to re-sign one veteran while letting the other depart in free agency. “At safety, my sense is the Bears will attempt to re-sign Kevin Byard III over the weekend,” wrote Fowler, “but will let Jaquan Brisker walk.” That doesn’t come as a surprise considering general manager Ryan Poles has been open about wanting Byard to return in 2026, although he also acknowledged the challenge of filling out the entire safety room this offseason. 

Bears expected to target linebacker Alex Anzalone

Following the release of linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, to free up salary cap space, Chicago might have found his replacement. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Bears could be zeroing in on former Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone, who has ties to defensive coordinator Dennis Allen during his time with the New Orleans Saints. In the last five years with the Lions, Anzalone has started 73 games and totaled 490 tackles, 9.0 sacks, 33 pass breakups and three intersections. He’s also served as a team captain every season, which would bring veteran leadership to Dennis Allen’s defense, especially if safety Kevin Byard departs in free agency.

Bears re-sign Daniel Hardy to 2-year extension

The Bears are bringing back a key depth piece and special teams contributor, signing defensive end Daniel Hardy to a two-year contract extension, according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz. Per Over the Cap, Hardy will have a base value of $4.97 million with a cap hit of $2.1 million in 2026.

Bears are trading for center Garrett Bradbury

Following Drew Dalman’s shocking retirement, the Bears wasted no time addressing a big hole by trading for center Garrett Bradbury. They’re sending a 2027 fifth-round pick to the New England Patriots as compensation. While Chicago was expected to be in the market for one of the top free-agent centers, Connor McGovern re-signed with the Buffalo Bills, and Tyler Linderbaum will have plenty of suitors for his services, where re-signing with the Baltimore Ravens is still on the table. Meanwhile, the Bears get an experienced veteran center who didn’t allow a sack last season, and they could look to the 2026 NFL Draft to select their center of the future.

Bears release Tremaine Edmunds

After failing to find a trade partner, the Bears released linebacker Tremaine Edmunds to free up $15 million in salary cap space. Edmunds, who signed a four year, $72 million contract back in 2023, was a three-year starter alongside T.J. Edwards. Last season, Edmunds totaled 112 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, one sack, three QB hits, one fumble recovery, four interceptions and nine pass breakups. But given his massive cap hit, and how he never quite lived up to his lucrative deal, Chicago parted ways with the veteran and now has a starting linebacker job to fill.

Bears are trading DJ Moore to Bills

The Bears made their first big move of the offseason when they agreed to trade wide receiver DJ Moore to the Buffalo Bills. Not only does it free up $16.5 million in salary cap space, but Chicago was able to land a 2026 second-round pick (in exchange for a 2026 fifth rounder) in the deal. Considering Moore’s big cap hit and the fact that he’s coming off his worst statistical season, it’s a huge win for the Bears, who have plenty of young talent at receiver led by Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III.

Drew Dalman announces shocking retirement

The first domino of the Bears offseason was a complete shocker when it was announced that center Drew Dalman was retiring after just five years in the NFL. Dalman, who spent his first four seasons with the Atlanta Falcons, signed a three-year, $42 million contract with Chicago last offseason. Dalman proved to be a vital cog in the Bears’ revamped offensive line, where he earned his first career Pro Bowl nod as part of one of the league’s best units. Daman’s retirement frees up $10 million in salary cap space, but his loss is bigger than that.

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