The Chicago Bears took a torch to their offensive personnel in 2025. Several names were either cut or allowed to leave in free agency. Among them were Gerald Everett, Teven Jenkins, Keenan Allen, Coleman Shelton, Marcedes Lewis, and Larry Borom. New head coach Ben Johnson and general manager Ryan Poles then embarked on a massive retooling campaign that saw them trade for Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson, followed by signings like Drew Dalman and Olamide Zaccheaus. Finally, they spent their first three picks in the draft on Colston Loveland, Luther Burden, and Ozzy Trapilo.
It was a clear message from Johnson that he intended to build his unit rather than try to make it work with somebody else’s.
Rest assured, circumstances are lining up for the same thing to happen with the Bears’ defense in 2027. It is a perfect storm of key guys playing poorly and several of the biggest names reaching contract points where they are cuttable without significant dead-money consequences. Right now, there is a realistic scenario where 6 Bears starters on defense could be gone this spring. Montez Sweat, Jaylon Johnson, Dayo Odeyingbo, Grady Jarrett, and T.J. Edwards are cuttable, while Tyrique Stevenson will likely leave in free agency.
| Player (Position) | 2027 Cap Hit | 2027 Dead Cap | 2027 Cap Gained (Savings) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montez Sweat (ED) | $25,085,295 | $4,085,295 | $21,000,000 |
| Jaylon Johnson (CB) | $25,000,000 | $9,000,000 | $16,000,000 |
| Dayo Odeyingbo (ED) | $26,500,000 | $11,500,000 | $15,000,000 |
| Grady Jarrett (DL) | $16,750,000 | $4,000,000 | $12,750,000 |
| T.J. Edwards (LB) | $14,208,334 | $5,708,334 | $8,500,000 |
The Chicago Bears’ defense may get a long-overdue facelift.
When you look at the stats, most of the names listed above don’t have a strong argument for staying another year. Sweat only has 2 sacks and 13 pressures in 5 games. Now he’s been suspended for two weeks for a PED violation. Johnson and Stevenson are both near the bottom of the NFL in passer rating allowed this season. Edwards remains solid in coverage at linebacker but is once again dealing with a hamstring injury. Odeyingbo has been the best performer of the group, but he, too, is dealing with another health setback (quad).
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The only guys you can safely say are unquestioned starters going into 2027 are Austin Booker, Dillon Thieneman, Coby Bryant, and Malik Muhammad. Three of those names have been earning it on the field, while the other was a high-priced free agent the team signed this past offseason. Kyler Gordon has yet to play this season. Neville Gallimore is a replacement-level starter at best. The same is true of D’Marco Jackson. There is a realistic scenario where the Bears bring in 9 new starters next season.
There will be options for the Bears to pursue in 2027.
Like in 2025, the Bears will have to attack the problem from multiple angles. That means a combination of free agency, the draft, and trades. The veteran market rarely makes major difference-makers available, but a peek ahead suggests there could be notable options to pursue.
| Player | Position | Current Team | Free Agency Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kobie Turner | Defensive Tackle | Los Angeles Rams | 27.4 |
| DeForest Buckner | Defensive Tackle | Indianapolis Colts | 32.5 |
| Daron Payne | Defensive Tackle | Washington Commanders | 29.3 |
| Vita Vea | Defensive Tackle | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 31.5 |
| Leonard Williams | Defensive Tackle | Seattle Seahawks | 32.4 |
| Tuli Tuipulotu | Edge Rusher | Los Angeles Chargers | 24.1 |
| Byron Young | Edge Rusher | Los Angeles Rams | 28.6 |
| Andrew Van Ginkel | Edge Rusher | Minnesota Vikings | 31.2 |
| Kayvon Thibodeaux | Edge Rusher | New York Giants | 25.8 |
| Uchenna Nwosu | Edge Rusher | Seattle Seahawks | 29.8 |
| Malcolm Koonce | Edge Rusher | Las Vegas Raiders | 28.2 |
| Khalil Mack | Edge Rusher | Los Angeles Chargers | 35.6 |
Several teams will be over the salary cap next year. That means some of them might unload hefty contracts to address that problem. Would Baltimore unload Roquan Smith or Nnamdi Madubuike? Buffalo might feel compelled to surrender Ed Oliver. The same can be said for the 49ers with Deommodore Lenoir or the Chiefs with Nick Bolton.
Finally, you have the draft. Current projections have 17 defensive linemen, 4 linebackers, and 5 cornerbacks with 1st or 2nd round grades. That should present the Chicago Bears a major opportunity to infuse some youth into their defensive ranks.
