Bears Salary Cap Space, Free Agent Targets

Based on Bears odds, Chicago profiles as a team with optimism ahead of the 2025 season. 

Despite finishing last in the NFC North last season, Chicago owns 40/1 odds to win Super Bowl 60 in Ben Johnson’s first season. 

Perhaps some of that optimism can be attributed to Chicago’s cap situation. At $79.7 million in cap room, the Bears sit fourth in total cap space, per overthecap.com. 

In terms of free agents, a few names jump out for Chicago. Keenan Allen is the biggest name, but he’s coming off a lackluster season and could head for the exit. 

Bears Cap Space: Free Agent Position Targets

The Bears struggled in the trenches last season, particularly along the offensive line. 

Some of that can be attributed to injury. However, keeping Caleb Williams upright in his sophomore campaign has to be the biggest priority. 

By PFF’s offensive grades, no Bears player finished higher than 27th amongst players who played at least 20% of snaps.

Defensively, the Bears struggled to stop the run – 31st in adjusted line yards – and proved a middling team in terms of adjusted sack percentage. 

As a result, addressing those position groups should lead to an improved campaign in 2025. 

Bears Salary Cap Space: Player Targets

Trey Smith

The current Chiefs interior offensive lineman should command a big raise this offseason and the Bears are a natural fit for Smith. 

Chicago’s tackles played better last season compared to their guards. Amongst 50 guards, Smith ranked 14th in PFF’s offensive grades. 

By achieving that feat, Smith outperformed current Bears right guard Matt Pryor. Over his last four years with Kansas City, Smith has yet to post a PFF grade under 72.7. 

By adding Smith, it helps the offensive line with a player who has consistently stayed healthy in his career. 

Haason Reddick

The short-term story of Reddick is that he produced a particularly weak season with the Jets last season. 

But the long-term view of the edge rusher is that he could prove a strong player with a number of quality seasons to his name. 

Reddick’s two best seasons of his career came in the two years prior to joining the Jets, especially with his ability to rush the quarterback. 

Reddick produced four straight double-digit sack seasons before 2024, and a pairing of Reddick and Montez Sweat could bolster the Bears defensive line.