The 2026 season is about to begin. The Chicago Bears have made all preparations. This roster is the best they could manage with the resources available to them. General manager Ryan Poles may not have taken a big swing like he wanted, but he did the best he could. The truth is, the team was limited in the number of moves they could make due to the salary cap. However, don’t expect a modest approach in 2027. The Bears will have far more flexibility going into next year, and many of those decisions will hinge on how certain players perform this year. It starts with Dayo Odeyingbo.
Chicago paid the big defensive end an average of $16 million per year when they signed him as a free agent in 2025. So far, they’ve gotten eight games, 1.5 sacks, and a torn Achilles from that investment. Not exactly money well-spent. Looking ahead to next offseason, the Bears would net $15 million in cap space by releasing Odeyingbo. You can bet their finger is currently hovering over that button, keeping a close eye on #55 in the upcoming games this season. Needless to say, the defensive end can’t afford another disappointing year.
Dayo Odeyingbo isn’t the only Bears defender under pressure.
He is joined by 2025 free agent classmate Grady Jarrett. There is no denying the veteran defensive tackle was more valuable to the Bears last season. He at least played for most of the year and became a stalwart locker-room presence. However, he also only had 1.5 sacks and didn’t impact games enough to justify his $14.25 million per year. The 33-year-old is still an unquestioned leader, but the Bears just invested heavily at defensive tackle this offseason, headlined by rookies Jordan Van Den Berg and Jayden Loving. If they excel early, or Jarrett underperforms, you can bet the team will seize that $13.5 million in cap relief next spring.
New teammate T.J. Edwards is in a similar boat. Injuries plagued the linebacker last season. At 30 years old, it is difficult to know if he has any gas left in the tank. To say nothing of the fact that this coaching staff had no say in signing him. You can bet money they won’t hesitate to dump him if he doesn’t deliver this year. The Bears would net $8.5 million in cap relief by unloading him. They could probably find somebody healthier, faster, and cheaper. Edwards needs a rebound season in the worst way.
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Kyler Gordon and Montez Sweat represent wild cards.
Outright cutting the nickel cornerback won’t exactly bring cap relief for the Bears in 2027. Even using the post-June 1st designation would only net the team $800,000. However, that wouldn’t be the point. Gordon already missed 14 games last season. He’s going to miss at least four more this year. There is a clear disconnect between the player and the organization. Paying him to go away is starting to feel more preferable than continuing this charade much longer.
As for Sweat, his case is more straightforward. He just turned 30 years old. He’s still the Bears’ best pass rusher. If his production remains steady, there is no way the team will cut him. That said, if he were to regress significantly, that $21 million in space they’d net from dumping his contract would start to look awfully appealing. Sending both he and Dayo Odeyingbo out together would give Dennis Allen a chance to completely overhaul the most important position on his defense.
All of these guys have every incentive to play well. If not for a possible championship, then most definitely for survival.
