The Chicago Bears have had an eventful offseason so far. After firing head coach Matt Eberflus in the middle of the season, they landed one of the top candidates in the cycle, Ben Johnson. He has been filling out his staff, and the team looks ready to move into the next phase of the offseason. While there were plenty of struggles this season, there were some bright spots. Caleb Williams showed flashes of greatness, as did Rome Odunze. The goal now is to take the next step and compete in the NFC North. Ahead of free agency, the Bears have cut two veteran players, freeing up a good chunk of cap space.
Chicago Bears Cut Two Veterans
Tight end Gerald Everett and defensive end DeMarcus Walker were the cap casualties for the Chicago Bears today. Every offseason, some players are simply too expensive to keep. Everett was a long-time player under former offensive coordinator Shane Waldron. When Waldron was let go, his playing time vanished. To make matters worse, signing Everett negated a compensatory pick they would have received for Darnell Mooney signing with the Atlanta Falcons.
Walker was a starter this season. In 17 games, he had 47 tackles, seven tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, and 16 QB hits. While it hurts to lose a starter, his numbers weren’t off the charts. The Chicago Bears can easily replace him with other players. In total, these moves free up about $10 million in cap space. The Bears clearly want to make a big splash in free agency. Defensive end is a need but the team seems to think they can convince a top free agent to sign with the team.
Who Could The Bears Get?
Philadelphia Eagles Josh Sweat is the top defensive end in the class. He was a part of a devastating pass rush that was on display in the Super Bowl victory against the Kansas City Chiefs. Sweat himself had 2.5 sacks in the big game, likely earning him a huge payday. Khalil Mack is unlikely, as the Chicago Bears already traded him away a few years ago, but Indianapolis Colts rusher Dayo Odeyingbo could be an option if the Bears want to spend big.
GM Ryan Poles has never been shy about making trades. Last season, he brought in Keenan Allen, and he could make another big splash this year. Myles Garrett has formally requested a trade from the Cleveland Browns, and Maxx Crosby has indicated he wants out of the Las Vegas Raiders. If Poles wants to make a big swing, he could nab one of these premier edge rushers by giving up some draft capital. There are plenty of options but it is clear the pass rush must improve.
Final Thoughts
The Chicago Bears have had a positive offseason so far. However, we’ve seen positive offseasons from this team, only to have heartbreak once the season begins. There is immense pressure, especially on Ryan Poles, to put a winning roster on the field. What will the Bears do this offseason to enhance the roster around their franchise quarterback?
