After a breakout 2025 season that reignited hope in Chicago, the Bears find themselves at a pivotal offseason crossroads. The arrow is pointing up, no doubt - this team showed flashes of a contender.
But if they’re serious about climbing to the top of the NFC, there’s still work to be done. And that means making some tough calls on the roster.
General manager Ryan Poles has limited cap space and not a lot of wiggle room on the depth chart. Translation: some familiar faces may be on the way out as the Bears look to retool for a deeper playoff run. Let’s take a closer look at three players who could be on the chopping block this offseason - not because they’re bad players, but because football, especially in February, is a business.
Cole Kmet: The Price Tag vs. the Production
Cole Kmet has been a reliable presence for Chicago - a steady run blocker, dependable in short-yardage situations, and someone who commands at least a little attention from opposing defenses. But the emergence of rookie tight end Colston Loveland changes the math here.
Loveland didn’t just flash potential - he forced his way into the conversation. And when you’ve got a young, cost-controlled playmaker rising quickly, it puts pressure on higher-priced veterans.
Kmet is slated to count $11.6 million against the cap next season. Cutting him before free agency opens would free up $8.6 million - a significant chunk of change for a team looking to shore up other areas.
Now, in today’s NFL, you want more than one capable tight end. Depth at that position matters, especially in a system like Ben Johnson’s that values versatility.
But the Bears could likely find a cheaper backup option without much drop-off. Kmet still has value - just maybe not at that price point.
Roschon Johnson: The Numbers Game in the Backfield
Roschon Johnson came into 2025 with a chance to carve out a real role in this offense. Instead, he got leapfrogged - and not just by anyone, but by seventh-round rookie Kyle Monangai, who burst onto the scene and never looked back.
Johnson saw action in just two games all season, logging only two carries. That’s not a slump - that’s a disappearing act. And in Ben Johnson’s offense, where roles are clearly defined and production is expected, Johnson simply didn’t fit.
With Monangai and D’Andre Swift forming a promising one-two punch, the Bears’ backfield looks set for the foreseeable future. Johnson, a former fourth-round pick, may still have something to offer elsewhere, but it’s hard to see a path forward for him in Chicago.
Andrew Billings: Veteran Presence, But Limited Impact
Andrew Billings played a good number of snaps in 2025, but the production didn’t follow. As a run-stuffer, he struggled to hold the point of attack, and his pass-rush impact was minimal - just one sack on the year.
For a defense that’s trying to take the next step, especially up front, that’s not going to cut it. Billings brought experience and leadership, but the Bears need more disruption in the trenches. With younger, more dynamic options potentially available through the draft or free agency, it might be time to move on.
The Bigger Picture
This isn’t about scapegoating. All three of these players have contributed to the Bears’ rebuild in one way or another.
But if Chicago wants to make the leap from promising to powerhouse, they’ll need to maximize every dollar and every roster spot. That means making hard decisions - the kind that signal a team isn’t just happy to be in the mix, but ready to take over the NFC.
Ryan Poles has shown he’s not afraid to make bold moves. Now, with expectations rising and the margin for error shrinking, the next round of decisions could shape the Bears’ trajectory for years to come.