The Bears have spent the offseason in a position plenty of teams would envy: the cap sheet is under control, the core is largely intact, and the front office has built a roster with real Super Bowl ambitions. But that kind of setup comes with a price. By 2026, Chicago’s biggest cap hits will belong to players who are expected to carry weight, solve problems, and in some cases answer questions that still hang over the roster.
At the top of that list is Montez Sweat at $25 million. That number only makes sense if Sweat keeps producing at a high level, because the Bears do not have a deep stash of proven edge rushers waiting behind him.
If he doesn’t deliver double-digit sacks and set the tone for the current edge rushing depth chart, there is no question the Bears are in trouble. The concern around the position has been loud enough all offseason and into training camp that another move still feels possible.
None of that changes the bottom line on Sweat, though: Chicago has no regret about the cap hit, and as long as he stays productive, he remains a crucial piece of a defense that lacks established pass-rush help.
Jaylon Johnson comes next at $24.5 million, and his case is a little different. For that money to feel fully justified, he has to stay on the field and play with more consistency than he showed in 2025.
His PFF rating that season was 58.7, which is not the kind of output the Bears want from a veteran corner expected to help steady the defense while a new safety tandem takes over the back end. If that uneven play continues, the conversation around Johnson changes fast.
Right now, the cap number is easy enough to explain. That could shift quickly if the consistency doesn’t show up.
Then there’s Joe Thuney at $21.5 million, and he’s the one name on this list who already looks like a bargain in terms of value. Thuney brings the kind of stability Caleb Williams and the offensive line need, and he has an argument for being worth even more than what he’s making now.
The Bears are getting exactly what they wanted from him: a steadying force who helps move the offense in the right direction. The Chiefs made a mistake letting such a key piece of their dynasty walk, and Thuney is taking full advantage of his new home, helping build what could be the foundation of another run.
In Other News...
One Bears Newcomer Could Make Ryan Poles Look Very Smart
The Bears spent the offseason trying to shore up the middle of their defense, adding three veteran defensive tackles in free agency and then taking Jordan van den Berg in the sixth round of the 2026 NFL Draft. It was the kind of depth-building approach Chicago needed after last seasons issues with quarterback pressure and run defense, and it also gave Ryan Poles multiple chances to find a useful piece without having to bet everything on one move.
Neville Gallimore is the one newcomer who stands out as the most intriguing swing. Signed to a two-year, $12 million deal, he arrives as the clearest bet among the free-agent additions, and if he can provide steadier push inside while helping the Bears hold up against the run, the front office will look a lot sharper for having made him the centerpiece of the group. [Read more 🡒]
Bears May Have One Low-Cost Answer To Their Pass Rush Problem
The Bears pass rush remains one of the clearest roster issues heading into the next stretch of team-building, especially after a 2025 season in which Chicago finished second-worst in pass-rush win rate. Outside of Montez Sweat, the defense still lacks a dependable edge threat, and so far the front office has not made a major move to change that.
One possible path has surfaced in the form of a low-cost trade idea, with analyst Moe Moton pointing to Kansas City as a team that could be willing to deal a young defensive end for a late 2027 pick. The appeal is obvious for Chicago: a player with upside, a price that would not cripple future flexibility, and a chance to add another body to a pass-rush group that still needs real help rather than another stopgap. [Read more 🡒]
Bears Are Running Out Of Time To Fix One Lingering Problem
The Bears have spent the offseason trying to shore up a pass rush that never quite held up in 2025, and the concern is easy to see. Montez Sweat did not deliver the kind of impact Chicago needed, Austin Booker still has to prove he can handle a bigger role, and Dayo Odeyingbo is working back from a torn Achilles, leaving the front without much certainty as the roster takes shape.
That is why a veteran like Jadeveon Clowney keeps surfacing as a logical fit. The three-time Pro Bowler was productive for Dallas last season, and his ability to affect the quarterback would give Chicago a proven edge rusher at a spot where the defense badly needs one. For now, though, it remains just a possibility, and the Bears are still waiting to see whether they can turn that interest into an actual move. [Read more 🡒]