The Chicago Bears are knocking on the playoff door for the first time in five years, and while the focus at Halas Hall is squarely on finishing strong in 2025, the front office has some tough roster decisions looming just over the horizon.
General manager Ryan Poles has done a solid job building a competitive roster, but the financial reality is starting to bite. With only $2.8 million in available cap space heading into 2026, something has to give. That likely means some familiar faces won’t be back next season - not because they didn’t perform, but because the numbers just don’t work.
Nahshon Wright Could Be the Odd Man Out
Let’s start with cornerback Nahshon Wright. He’s had a breakout season, picking off five passes and playing with the kind of confidence and physicality that every defensive coordinator loves.
But here’s the issue: the Bears have already invested heavily at corner, paying two starters significant money. Adding a third to that mix - especially with limited cap flexibility - just doesn’t seem feasible.
Wright has earned a payday, but it may have to come elsewhere.
The Safety Situation: Byard vs. Brisker
Then there’s the safety duo of Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker, both of whom are set to hit free agency. Retaining both seems like a long shot, and that puts the Bears in a classic NFL dilemma: experience and leadership versus youth and upside.
Byard, the veteran, has been rock solid - not just on the field but as a tone-setter in the locker room. He’s the team’s most consistent ballhawk and a respected voice on defense. He’s also likely to come at a more manageable price than Brisker, given his age and the market for veteran safeties.
Brisker, on the other hand, brings versatility and energy. He’s younger, more dynamic in coverage and run support, and has the kind of all-around skill set that fits today’s hybrid safety mold.
But there’s a catch - his health. Brisker has suffered a concussion in each of his first three NFL seasons and missed 12 games in 2024.
That injury history is going to follow him into free agency.
The Bears will likely set a firm price point for Brisker. If another team is willing to go higher, they’ll let him walk. It’s not a question of whether they value him - they do - but they can’t afford to overpay for a player who, while talented, hasn’t consistently stayed on the field.
Looking Ahead: Draft and Development
If the Bears do move on from Brisker, expect them to dip into the draft for help. Poles has shown a sharp eye for defensive backs - he found Brisker in the first place - and there’s no reason to think he can’t find another young safety who fits the system and cap structure.
Meanwhile, some of that cap space will likely be earmarked for more pressing priorities, like extending right tackle Darnell Wright, who’s become a foundational piece on the offensive line. The Bears will also need to retain some of their defensive depth, which has quietly been a strength during this playoff push.
Don’t Expect a Free Agency Splash
This isn’t shaping up to be an aggressive offseason for Chicago. The Bears are more likely to play it close to the vest - keeping the core intact, avoiding big-ticket free agents, and building through the draft. It’s a pragmatic approach, but one that fits where this team is in its development cycle.
The Bears are trending up, and with a playoff berth within reach, the focus is rightfully on the now. But come spring, tough choices are coming. That’s life in the NFL - where managing talent is just as important as finding it.