Breaking Down the NFC North Offseason Cap Crunch: Bears, Packers, and Vikings Face Key Decisions
As the NFL offseason kicks into gear, the NFC North is shaping up to be one of the more intriguing divisions to watch - not just on the field, but in the front office. The Bears, Packers, and Vikings are all staring down critical roster and salary cap decisions that could reshape their 2026 outlook. Let’s dive into where things stand and what moves might be coming.
Chicago Bears: Cap Pressure Mounts, Big Decisions Loom
The Bears are entering the offseason $5.3 million over the salary cap, and that means tough calls are coming fast.
One of the most straightforward options to clear space? Outside linebacker Tremaine Edmunds. Cutting Edmunds would free up $15 million, and given his cap hit and performance, he’s widely viewed as the most obvious candidate for a release.
Then there’s tight end Cole Kmet, who carries an $11.6 million cap hit. Kmet has been a reliable target, and if new head coach Ben Johnson sees him as a fit in his system, a short-term extension could lower his cap number while keeping him in the fold.
Running back D’Andre Swift is another name to watch. He’s coming off a career-best season and carries an $8.8 million cap number - the 11th highest among running backs. That’s not cheap, but he produced like a top-tier back, and that’ll factor into the team’s decision on whether to keep him at that number or explore alternatives.
Cornerback Jaylon Johnson, on the other hand, is a more complicated case. A post-June 1 cut would save the Bears $15.5 million, but expectations around the league suggest he’s not going anywhere. Johnson remains a cornerstone of the secondary, and it’s hard to see Chicago parting ways unless something unexpected happens.
There’s also significant room to maneuver through contract restructures. League sources indicate the Bears could free up as much as $33 million by reworking deals for wide receiver D.J.
Moore, edge rusher Montez Sweat, and defensive tackle Grady Jarrett. Offensive linemen Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson could also have their contracts restructured, potentially creating another $14 million in space.
One agent noted that restructuring Moore’s deal alone could generate $17.5 million in savings. But there’s a catch - doing so would make it much harder to move on from him next year, locking in future guarantees and kicking the can down the road.
Looking ahead, offensive tackle Darnell Wright is entering the final year of his rookie deal, and the price tag to keep him won’t be cheap. One agent suggested Wright could command $27 million annually, while another projected a four-year, $120 million deal. Either way, the Bears will need to plan for a major investment if they want to keep their young bookend tackle long-term.
Green Bay Packers: Youth Movement vs. Veteran Retention
The Packers have some difficult choices to make as they juggle a promising young core with a group of pending free agents who could command serious money.
Let’s start with wide receiver Romeo Doubs. Multiple NFL sources believe he could land a deal worth around $12 million per year. But with Jayden Reed, Matthew Golden, and Dontayvion Wicks already in the mix, Green Bay may decide to let Doubs walk rather than tie up more money at the position.
On the offensive line, left tackle Rasheed Walker is expected to hit free agency, with rookie Jordan Morgan likely stepping into a starting role. Walker is projected to be one of the top two tackles available and could command $20 million annually - a hefty price tag for a team with other needs.
Quarterback Malik Willis is another name to watch. He’s expected to be one of the top QBs on the market and could land a deal “well above” $10 million per year. That’s a significant leap for a player still viewed as a developmental prospect by some, but the market for quarterbacks is always aggressive.
Linebacker Quay Walker is a key piece of the defense, but his price tag could be too rich for Green Bay’s budget. His next contract is projected to average $15 million per year - the same number as his fifth-year option - and that might be more than the Packers are willing to spend at the position.
Defensive end Kingsley Enagbare is also expected to command an eight-figure salary. With Micah Parsons unlikely to be ready for Week 1 and Rashan Gary potentially on the way out, Green Bay may have no choice but to pay up to keep Enagbare in the fold.
Then there’s offensive lineman Sean Rhyan, who impressed after moving to center. The Packers have let more talented linemen walk in the past, but Rhyan’s versatility and late-season performance could earn him a new deal - especially if the team sees him as a long-term solution in the middle.
In a front office move, the Packers are expected to bring in Auburn GM Will Redmond for a personnel role - a sign that Green Bay is continuing to invest in strengthening its scouting and talent evaluation department.
Minnesota Vikings: Regret Over QB Departure
Running back Aaron Jones didn’t hold back when reflecting on Minnesota’s decision to move on from quarterback Sam Darnold last offseason. The veteran back expressed disappointment over the move, suggesting the team had everything it needed to make a run.
“I felt like we had everything we needed [last year],” Jones said. “But we are not GMs.
That’s outside of us. When you [have] a group of guys behind a quarterback, and he wants to stay somewhere, I think you should try to make it work.”
It’s a rare glimpse into how locker room dynamics and front office decisions can clash. Darnold clearly had support from the players, and Jones’ comments hint at a team that believed it was closer to contention than the front office may have thought.
Final Thoughts
The NFC North is in the middle of a major reshuffling - not just on the field, but on the books. The Bears are trying to navigate a tricky cap situation with several high-priced veterans, the Packers are weighing the value of their rising stars against financial realities, and the Vikings are dealing with the emotional fallout of a quarterback decision that still stings in the locker room.
The next few weeks will go a long way in shaping what these teams look like come training camp. And if there’s one thing we know about the NFL offseason - it’s never short on drama.