The Chicago Bears’ extreme makeover began last year when the team hired Ryan Poles as general manager and Matt Eberflus as head coach.
But it is expected to truly rev into high gear this offseason, with the Bears poised to be the biggest spenders in free agency.
We preview Chicago’s offseason, breaking down the Bears’ free agents, cut candidates, and team needs.
Chicago Bears Offseason Preview: Money, Money, Money
Beyond having the most cap space (more on that in a moment), the Bears also have a ton of draft capital, starting with their top-five pick.
That, along with the progress made by Justin Fields in Year 2, gives the Bears great flexibility at the quarterback position.
If they think any or all of the top three prospects — Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud, and Will Levis — is better than Fields, they should stand pat and take one of them (assuming the preferred option is available).
If they want to double down on Fields and build around him (they certainly owe it to the guy after the offensive pieces they put around him in 2022), they should trade the pick to a quarterback-needy franchise and further amass their draft war chest.
In an ideal world, they use their massive cap space to fill most or all of their many needs and then go into the draft truly able to take the best player available, regardless of position.
Bears’ 2023 Salary Cap Space
According to Spotrac, the Bears, as of early January, had $119.3 million in 2023 salary cap space, by far the most in the NFL.
That figure includes $19.9 million in dead cap and $5.4 million in rollover space. It is based on an estimated $225 million NFL salary cap in 2023.
The exact cap figure will not be known until the NFL announces it in early March.
Bears Free Agents 2023
The following Chicago Bears players are set to hit free agency. Restricted free agents are noted with the abbreviation RFA and exclusive rights free agents by ERFA.
- OLB Matthew Adams
- DE Angelo Blackson
- CB Josh Blackwell (ERFA)
- FB Khari Blasingame
- CB Breon Borders
- CB Dane Cruikshank
- LT Dakota Dozier
- G Dieter Eiselen (ERFA)
- TE Ryan Griffin
- WR N’Keal Harry
- S DeAndre Houston-Carson
- RT Bobby Massie
- RB David Montgomery
- OLB Nicholas Morrow
- C Sam Mustipher (RFA)
- DT Mike Pennel
- QB Nathan Peterman
- WR Dante Pettis
- WR Byron Pringle
- OT Riley Reiff
- LS Patrick Scales
- G Michael Schofield
- WR Equanimeous St. Brown
- OLB Joe Thomas
- DT Armon Watts
- FB Trevon Wesco
- LB Javin White
Running Back David Montgomery
Spotrac’s calculated market value: Three years, $29.3 million ($9.7 million AAV)
Overview: The high-water mark of Montgomery’s rookie contract was certainly Year 2 when he had more than 1,500 yards from scrimmage and 10 offensive touchdowns. He’s never been the most efficient runner, but that might have been more of a reflection of his offensive line than any personal shortcoming. He’s consistently been among the league leaders in yards after contact.
Linebacker Nicholas Morrow
Spotrac’s calculated market value: Two years, $7.7 million ($3.8 million AAV)
Overview: Morrow is proof that no NFL career follows a linear progression. Everyone suffers setbacks. The question is how players respond. The answer for Morrow was quite positive after missing all of 2021 with a foot injury. He was among the Bears’ leaders in tackles, but deficiencies in coverage probably puts a hard cap on his potential earnings.
Potential Cut Candidates
- DT Justin Jones ($4.9 million in cap savings)
- DE Al-Quadin Muhammad ($4 million)
- G Lucas Patrick ($3.9 million)
Bears’ Team Needs Heading Into 2023 Offseason
- Offensive Tackle
- Wide Receiver
- Offensive Guard
- EDGE
- Defensive Tackle