Surprise Cuts That Could Be Coming in Chicago

The NFL offseason is always unpredictable, and the Chicago Bears are right in the middle of the action. With the recent cuts of DE DeMarcus Walker and TE Gerald Everett, GM Ryan Poles and new head coach Ben Johnson have already begun reshaping the roster ahead of this week’s NFL Combine. And with free agency just weeks away, more surprise moves could be coming. Here are three players who might be next on the chopping block.

1. IOL Ryan Bates – Saves $4M

Ryan Poles traded a 2024 fifth-round pick to the Bills for Bates, but the move has been disappointing. Bates played just 105 snaps and posted a 48.8 pass-blocking grade—fourth worst on the team. Cutting him would free up $4 million in cap space, a move that seems likely as the Bears look to bolster their offensive line in free agency.

By releasing Gerald Everett and DeMarcus Walker, the Bears now have $79.7M in cap space.
With these two moves, they’ve gone from having the 6th most cap space to 4th in the NFL.
Big upgrades ahead.
— Dave (@dave_bfr) February 21, 2025

2. S Jonathan Owens – Saves $1.5M

Owens’ release would be surprising given Chicago’s need for safety depth, but his performance in 2024 raises concerns. According to PFF, he had the worst coverage grade (53.9) among all safeties and defensive backs and allowed a team-high five touchdowns. At nearly 30 years old, he’s unlikely to develop into a reliable starter. If the Bears want to bring in a younger player to pair with Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker, Owens could be expendable depending on how free agency and the draft play out.

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3. K Cairo Santos – Saves $2M

The NFL can be unforgiving, and while Santos is one of the league’s most accurate kickers, his lack of leg strength is a concern. He struggles with long-range kicks and isn’t a reliable option from 55+ yards. With the need for a more powerful kicker in 2025, the Bears might take the risk of moving on from Santos in search of an upgrade.