Chicago Bears Cap Crunch? These 5 Budget Free Agents Could Be Steals
Let’s be honest. The Chicago Bears aren’t in a position to go on a shopping spree in free agency this year. They’re at least $5 million over the salary cap, and probably more. General manager Ryan Poles has some work to do just to get his team cap-compliant. Never mind finding the necessary space to conduct normal business. That is why team insiders have hinted for weeks that people shouldn’t expect any big splashes. It is far more likely Poles will stick to the bargain bin this year.
That isn’t necessarily a bad thing. This team has already proven it can find hidden gems on the discount market before. See Nahshon Wright. After doing some research, at least five names are set to become available who align with the Bears’ needs and could be acquired at an affordable price.
Chicago Bears bargain option – EDGE D.J. Wonnum
Projected price: $5.69 million per year
Big-name edge rushers will always command big money. Projections have it ranging anywhere from $18-25 million per year for guys like Trey Hendrickson and Khalil Mack. Both are in their 30s, mind you. The Bears can’t really afford that. Sure, they could restructure some deals to find enough room, but it doesn’t feel like sinking another big contract into the defensive line is the best idea. By contrast, taking a calculated gamble on somebody like Wonnum is right up their alley.
Bears fans probably remember the name from his four years with the Minnesota Vikings. He had eight sacks in the 2021 and 2023 seasons before departing in free agency. He signed with the Carolina Panthers, where they shifted him to outside linebacker. The move didn’t really fit him, but he remained a solid rotational pass rusher, collecting 31 pressures and three sacks while helping the team make the playoffs. He’d be allowed to shift back to his natural defensive end spot in Chicago.
OT D.J. Humphries
Projected price: $1.4 million per year
Ozzy Trapilo is out for several months with his knee injury from the wild card win over Green Bay. Braxton Jones and Theo Benedet are free agents. This leaves the Chicago Bears with no clear option at left tackle going into the season. It is why many speculate the team may have no choice but to use their 25th overall pick on the position. That or scour the trade market for a reasonable bridge option until Trapilo returns. Free agency is rarely the answer to such prayers for teams, given the position’s value.
The case of Humphries is an unfortunate one. He was a quality starter in Arizona for years, making the Pro Bowl at one point. Then an ACL injury late in 2023 derailed his career. The Cardinals released him, and he’s been forced to play backup in Kansas City and Los Angeles the past two seasons. He should be healthy now. He’s highly experienced with 101 career starts. Given the projected price, this might be the perfect gamble the Bears could take, likely pairing him with a draft pick.
S Kyle Dugger
Projected price: $5.9 million per year
Four safeties are coming out of contract for the Bears this March. That includes both starters, Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker. They only have enough money to keep one of them. As things stand, the likelier outcome is re-signing Byard, who just completed an All-Pro season with seven interceptions. That means Brisker will hit the market, with expectations that he commands around $10 million per year. While he was a valuable member of the secondary, his production was such that Chicago should be able to survive his loss.
Brisker’s calling card was run defense and playing an aggressive style around the line of scrimmage. That has been what Dugger has done best for years. He was really good in New England from 2021 through 2023. Then, after getting traded to Pittsburgh last season, he still managed 42 tackles, a sack, and two interceptions in just nine games. He will be 30 years old this year, though. That means his shelf life is declining, but if the Bears need a short-term solution to losing Brisker, they could do way worse.
LB Leo Chenal
Projected price: $4.6 million per year
Producing solid linebackers is nothing new for Kansas City. They’ve been pretty good at it for a long time, having just locked up Nick Bolton to a lucrative extension. Unfortunately, the team is now $54 million over the salary cap. That means retaining free agents will be next to impossible. Losing Chenal will be one of the consequences. The former 3rd round pick developed into a quality starter for the Chiefs. Last season might’ve been his best with 58 tackles, two sacks, five QB hits, and an interception in 14 games.
The Chicago Bears have an underdiscussed situation at linebacker. Noah Sewell and D’Marco Jackson are free agents. Tremaine Edmunds is a prime cut candidate. T.J. Edwards suffered through multiple injuries last season. This position feels seriously in need of help. Chenal would be a likely successor to Sewell at the SAM position, given his 6’3 size and skillset. He won’t be the main guy to drive the ship, but he’s already proven he can be a complementary player in a good defense.