The Chicago Bears finished 2025 with an 11-6 record, good enough to capture the NFC North division and a 2 seed in the playoffs.
The Bears enter 2026 with around $5M of cap space (against a $304M league projection), including 38 contracts currently on the books. The table is headlined by WR D.J. Moore ($28.5M) and ED Montez Sweat ($25M).
Chicago currently holds 6 draft picks in 2026, including the Rams’ selection in the 4th round. Bears’ Future Draft Picks
Early Offseason Questions
The Bears’ front office hasn’t been prone to utilizing the “void year” system that allows bonuses, salary conversions, etc, to prorate over the max 5-years. Will that philosophy change now that they’re on the cusp of contention?
With limited draft capital early on, will the Bears look to identify a currently rostered player or two to dangle on the trade block this March, in hopes of shoring up an extra pick or two?
Will the Bears quick turn-around, and Ben Johnson’s attractive offensive scheme, make Chicago a destination for free agents this spring, helping to keep bottom-line costs down for the organization?
Notable Free Agents
(Spotrac Valuation APY)
CB Nahshon Wright ($16M)
S Jaquan Brisker ($10M)
S Kevin Byard ($7.8M)
OT Braxton Jones ($5M)
Option Decision
RT Darnell Wright
The 2023 1st-rounder has been both reliable, and steadily improving on the right side of Chicago’s line, setting up an elongated tenure (and potential extension) in the near future. For now, Wright’s 5th-year option salary projects to around $20M, and his current valuation in our system ($19.5M) lives right around that number as well.
Extension Candidates
RB D’Andre Swift
With back-to-back seasons of 1,300+ yards from scrimmage, and maybe his best overall campaign to date in 2025, Swift is certainly in the conversation to continue his role in Chicago for the coming years. He’s due an unprotected $7.5M in the final year of his contract, projecting toward a 2 year, $18M extension in our system.
ED Montez Sweat
Sweat remains the Bears’ top defensive lineman, and just finished a 10 sack, 50+ tackle, 3 forced fumble campaign in 2025. He’s got 2 years, $42M remaining on his current contract right now, so there’s not an immediate urgency to shake things up. But back to back $25M+ cap hits in 2026, 2027 could become problematic as the team continues to build out. An extension (currently projected at 3 years, $66M) can lower the initial cap figures, and lock in Sweat to a multi-year guarantee structure.
Bubble Candidates
LB Tremaine Edmunds
Release Candidate
The 28-year-old is entering a contract year in 2026, set to earn an unprotected $15M this season. The 2018 1st-round pick by Buffalo just completed his 8th-straight season with 100+ tackles, while also intercepting 4 passes in 2025. Edmunds has certainly done enough to warrant a return in 2026, but teams generally don’t keep off-ball linebackers at higher compensation for too long without resetting the process. It’s possible that’s where Chicago falls this March, freeing up $15M of space in moving on.
TE Cole Kmet
Release Candidate
Kmet’s role & targets have decreased since the Bears brought Colston Loveland into the picture, putting the 2 years, $20M remaining on notice. Chicago can free up $8.4M of cap space by moving on before a $1M roster bonus is due March 15th.
Potential Cap Conversions
WR D.J. Moore’s 2026 salary is already fully guaranteed. Processing a simple salary conversion (no void years) can free up $17.4M. That can increase to $18.5M saved by adding a void year.
OL Joe Thuney’s 2026 salary is already fully guaranteed. Converting most of it to bonus can free up $7.3M. Those savings can increase to $11.7M with the use of void years.
Most of DL Grady Jarrett’s 2026 salary is guaranteed. Converting it to bonus frees up $6.9M of cap. That figure increases to $10.8M with the use of void years.
RELATED LINKS
Bears 2026 Salary Cap Table
2026 Bears Free Agents
Spotrac’s Offseason Guide