{"id":764125,"date":"2026-02-20T08:08:15","date_gmt":"2026-02-20T08:08:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/764125\/"},"modified":"2026-02-20T08:08:15","modified_gmt":"2026-02-20T08:08:15","slug":"amen-ogbongbemiga-is-bears-first-cap-casualty-and-how-it-sends-a-clear-message","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/764125\/","title":{"rendered":"Amen Ogbongbemiga Is Bears’ First Cap Casualty \u2014 And How It Sends A Clear Message"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Chicago Bears<\/a> must get under the salary cap before the start of the new league year next month. They usually start the payroll scrubbing right around this time. Sure enough, their first notable cap-clearing move came down. Linebacker Amen Ogbongbemiga was released on Thursday. It was a somewhat unexpected move. While it does net the Bears $2 million in space, this was somebody considered one of their better special teams players. Yet it appears the team is shifting in a different direction.<\/p>\n

Money aside, this feels like an indicator of a wider plan. It\u2019s been speculated and rumored that Chicago has big changes planned for their linebacker group. Expectations are growing that they will release veteran Tremaine Edmunds, netting $15 million in cap space. They\u2019d also like to escape T.J. Edwards\u2019 deal after his injury-marred 2025 season. Unfortunately, the doesn\u2019t seem plausible. Noah Sewell is a free agent. Suffice to say, it looks like the team is committed to reshaping the linebacker group in line with Dennis Allen\u2019s vision.<\/p>\n

Ogbongbemiga, unfortunately, was a holdover from the Matt Eberflus era.<\/p>\n

Amen Ogbonbemiga shouldn\u2019t feel bad.<\/p>\n

Allen has done this before. He had three starting linebackers in his first year with the New Orleans Saints in 2015. By the start of the following season in 2016, all three had been replaced. He has a specific preference for the position, one predicated on speed and instincts. The current Bears\u2019 lineup, aside from Edmunds, doesn\u2019t fit that category. Edmunds would probably stay if his contract weren\u2019t such an issue. Ruben Hyppolite was the first indication last year that Allen wants to infuse his defense with more speed.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udd25 Subscribe to the Untold Chicago YouTube channel<\/a> to hear Chicago legends tell stories you\u2019ve never seen in headlines \u2014 real moments, real experiences, straight from the athletes themselves.<\/p>\n

Cutting Amen Ogbongbemiga was merely another step in that process. Early projections indicate the upcoming 2026 NFL draft is rich with linebacker talent. The Bears may look to add somebody in the first three rounds, starting the foundation for the next generation. It is also highly probable that they look to retain D\u2019Marco Jackson. He was terrific in relief of Edmunds last season and shouldn\u2019t be too expensive to bring back. From there, it becomes a question of when they strike in the draft.<\/p>\n

A lot of people say the #Bears<\/a> need their 2026 draft to be the defensive version of their 2025 class. I tried that today<\/p>\n

\u2022 Immediate run-stuffing DT upgrade
\u2022 Rangy safety who can start Day 1
\u2022 Toolsy EDGE with quick hands
\u2022 Smart, high-motored LB pic.twitter.com\/ObOv6inqW9<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) January 17, 2026<\/a> The Bears could end a surprising streak this April.<\/p>\n

Few organizations have been stronger investors in the linebacker position over the course of their existence than the Bears. Since the draft began in 1936, they have spent six 1st round picks and seven 2nd round picks on linebackers. It\u2019s hard to argue with that approach since it led to four eventual Hall of Famers. However, Chicago has hit a dry spell in recent years. After selecting Roquan Smith in the 1st round in 2018, the Bears have not picked anybody higher than the 4th round since.<\/p>\n

This is likely because GM Ryan Poles came from Kansas City. The Chiefs didn\u2019t place a premium on linebackers during his rise up the scouting ranks. They only drafted them in the 2nd round or higher twice from 2009 through 2021. Yet with several spots coming open and the need for two starters, he\u2019ll have to strike early this time. While the 1st round is unlikely, the 2nd might be the sweet spot.<\/p>\n