As we inch closer to the new league year in March, the Chicago Bears find themselves in a bit of a financial bind. According to Over The Cap, they’re currently over $17 million in the red against the salary cap. That number will shift once the league finalizes the cap limit for 2026, but no matter how you slice it, the Bears have some serious work to do if they want to be players in free agency.
Navigating that cap crunch won’t be easy. There aren’t many obvious cut candidates on the roster, which means general manager Ryan Poles and the front office may have to get creative.
Restructuring contracts is one option-though that often means pushing money down the road, which can come back to haunt you. Trading a big-name player like DJ Moore would open up space, but it would also come with a hefty dead money hit before June 1.
So if the Bears are going to make moves, they’ll need to walk a tightrope between financial flexibility and roster stability.
That brings us to a recent breakdown of potential cap casualties across the NFL, which spotlighted three Bears who could be on the chopping block: tight end Cole Kmet, running back D’Andre Swift, and linebacker Tremaine Edmunds. If Chicago were to move on from all three before June 1, they could clear a combined $30.87 million in cap space.
On paper, that’s a massive chunk of change. But the reality is far more nuanced.
Cole Kmet: Cap Casualty or Trade Chip?
Let’s start with Kmet. He’s set to make $11.6 million this season, which is steep for a player who’s now operating as the team’s No. 2 tight end behind breakout rookie Colston Loveland.
Loveland led the team in receiving and clearly carved out a central role in Ben Johnson’s offense. That shift in the pecking order has put Kmet’s contract under the microscope.
But cutting Kmet outright feels like an oversimplified solution. He’s still just 27, has proven he can be a starting-caliber tight end in this league, and would likely draw interest on the trade market.
Plus, Johnson’s offense has shown a willingness to use two tight ends effectively, which could justify keeping both Loveland and Kmet in the fold. If the Bears are looking to shed salary, they’d be wise to explore trade options before simply letting a valuable asset walk.
D’Andre Swift: Product of the System?
Then there’s Swift, who posted his first 1,000-yard rushing season as a Bear. On the surface, that’s a milestone worth celebrating.
But dig a little deeper and the picture changes. Swift averaged three yards before contact, which speaks volumes about the offensive line and the scheme doing the heavy lifting.
With Kyle Monangai flashing efficiency and the Bears likely to add a rookie back into the mix, Swift could be viewed as expendable-especially given that he’s entering the final year of his deal.
Still, like Kmet, Swift has some trade value. He’s a known commodity who can contribute in both the run and pass game, and he stayed relatively healthy this season.
If the Bears believe they can replicate his production with a cheaper backfield tandem, moving on makes sense. But again, cutting him outright without exploring trade scenarios would be a missed opportunity.
Tremaine Edmunds: Big Cap Hit, Bigger Decision
The most intriguing name on this list might be Tremaine Edmunds. He’s set to count $17.4 million against the cap in 2026, and cutting him would free up nearly all of that. That’s a tempting number, but the decision isn’t so simple.
Edmunds bounced back in a big way this year under Dennis Allen’s defensive scheme. He led the team with 112 total tackles, added four interceptions, and broke up nine passes.
His athleticism in the middle of the field gave the Bears a legitimate presence in coverage, especially against tight ends-a role that’s not easy to fill. Yes, he missed four games with a groin injury, but when healthy, he was a difference-maker.
There’s also the matter of positional value. Linebacker isn’t considered a premium position in today’s NFL, which could push the Bears toward a restructure or even a release.
But Edmunds is only 27, and he still has plenty of good football ahead of him. If the Bears believe in his long-term fit, an extension that spreads out his cap hit might be the smarter play.
The Bigger Picture
What’s important to remember here is that cap space doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It’s not just about how much money you can clear-it’s about what you’re giving up to do it, and whether you have a plan to replace that production.
Kmet, Swift, and Edmunds all have value, both to the Bears and potentially on the trade market. Cutting all three would certainly create financial flexibility, but it would also create holes in a roster that’s trying to build on a breakthrough season.
The Bears are in a delicate spot. They don’t want to blow up their core, but they also can’t sit still.
Getting under the cap is a must, but how they do it will say a lot about their priorities moving forward. Do they value continuity and proven contributors?
Or are they willing to take some risks to reset the books?
Either way, the next few weeks are going to be fascinating in Chicago. The math might suggest one thing, but the Bears’ front office knows the reality is a whole lot more complicated.