This week, the NFL announced it would increase the salary cap for 2025. Now, the Chicago Bears are looking at a projected cap around $279.5 million.
Where does that put them in available space, now? Currently, Chicago is set to have just north of $69 million in cap space, per Over the Cap.
Comparatively speaking, that's a whole lot of cash for the Bears to have going into the bulk of the offseason. It is more than enough to address some of the bigger issues within this roster and allow Ryan Poles and Ben Johnson to have more flexibility in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Who should the Bears target, now that they have even more money to work with? The legal tampering period officially opens on March 10, so let's look at some can't-miss free agents Chicago should be pursuing.
The Bears should aggressively pursue a few key free agents with increased salary cap space
1. Drew Dalman, C, Atlanta Falcons
There is zero question who the top free agent center is in this year's crop. It's Drew Dalman of the Atlanta Falcons, and the Bears should be doing whatever they can to get him to Chicago. Rather than trying to find the best prospect in this upcoming draft, the Bears are much better off finding an established, proven veteran at a position that's been hard to fill lately.
Dalman is 26 years old and could be a long-term solution.
2. Will Fries, G, Indianapolis Colts
Here come the "what about Trey Smith?" shouts. Yes, Smith would be a great signing for the Bears. However, don't overlook the fact that Will Fries played better in 2025. Sure, Fries did endure a season-ending injury and only played five games.
But, consider Fries was on pace for only three penalties all season long compared to Smith's nine. Also consider the fact that Fries was graded even higher in both run and pass blocking via Pro Football Focus. Say what you want about PFF, but that's not for nothing.
Smith had a marvelous regular season in terms of blocking but caved when it mattered most. Fries was in the midst of a full-fledged breakout, and that's worth noting.
3. Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, WR, Tennessee Titans
Keenan Allen is a free agent and would be best-served as a true no. 2 elsewhere. The Bears should be giving the bulk of wide receiver targets to DJ Moore and Rome Odunze, as they're the future of this offense.
However, an excellent no. 3 option might just be Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, who did nothing but score touchdowns last season. He likely won't love the idea of returning to Tennessee, where the quarterback position is anything but stable. Signing a multi-year deal in Chicago to go win football games with Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams should be far more appealing.
Last year, Westbrook-Ikhine more than doubled his career-high in touchdown receptions with nine. He'd be an ideal Allen replacement that no one is talking about.
