The Chicago Bears are heading to the NFL playoffs for the first time since the 2020 season. And yet, as the season comes to an end, an uncomfortable truth is emerging beneath all that momentum…
The Bears are staring at a 2026 free agent class that includes big names like S Kevin Byard, S Jaquan Brisker, CB Nahshon Wright, S C.J. Gardner-Johnson, DT Andrew Billings, DB Jonathan Owens, WR Olamide Zaccheaus, LT Theo Benedet, and several other contributors.
How Chicago Became an Offseason Powerhouse
GettyBears QB Caleb Williams
For the past couple years, the Bears operated with a luxury few teams enjoy: financial freedom. Massive cap flexibility turned Chicago into a major offseason headline as they became a three time straight “offseason champion.” This time, the spending actually (finally) translated.
Cause in the 2025 offseason, Poles rebuilt the offensive line almost completely through trading for All-Pro Joe Thuney and Pro Bowl guard Jonah Jackson, signing center Drew Dalman, as well as adding Ozzy Trapilo in the second round of the draft.
He also invested premium draft capital in difference-makers like Colston Loveland and Luther Burden III while Kyler Gordon was extended as a core piece and Grady Jarrett was signed to stabilize an interior that needed both leadership and production. And of course, he brought in head coach Ben Johsnon.
But the uncomfortable part is what comes next. After years of cap abundance, the Chicago Bears are projected to enter the 2026 offseason ranked 24th in the NFL in available salary cap space, with roughly $8.8 million to work with. That flexibility is gone.
Ryan Poles won’t be able to outspend problems anymore. There won’t be a top 10 draft pick waiting for them. That’s the tradeoff for finally building something real.
The Real Impact of Who Could Be Lost
GettyBears S Kevin Byard
Despite being 32 years old, Kevin Byard has been one of the most productive safeties in football, leading the NFL in interceptions and earning himself a spot in the Pro Bowl. Meanwhile, fellow safety Jaquan Brisker is just 26 years old and could be good for years to come.
On the perimeter, Nahshon Wright has been a wild story. He went from a backup who wouldn’t have played if not for injuries to Jaylon Johnson, Kyler Gordon, Tyrique Stevenson, and others, to a NFC Defensive Player of the Month in November and currently tied for second in the NFL for interceptions.
Offensively, Olamide Zaccheaus provided speed and spacing in Ben Johnson’s system (Caleb Williams has tended to lean on him in third down situations). Theo Benedet will likely not be re-signed with rookie Ozzy Trapilo taking over and looking like a stud.
But the roster isn’t the only area facing potential turnover. League-wide success has made Chicago Bears’ coaching staff a target. Guys like Al Harris, Eric Bieniemy, Declan Doyle, and Press Taylor are all expected to draw interest from other teams.
The uncomfortable truth is that not everyone can stay. However, this is the clearest sign yet of how far the Bears have actually come.
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