The Chicago Bears find themselves navigating treacherous financial waters as they approach the 2026 NFL season. Recent salary cap projections reveal the organization currently sits approximately $5.3 million over the impending cap threshold, a precarious position for a franchise that came within two victories of reaching the Super Bowl just months ago. With 13 players scheduled to carry cap hits exceeding $10 million each, the front office faces difficult decisions about roster composition and financial flexibility.
While simple contract restructures could theoretically bring the Bears into compliance, such moves would only serve as temporary bandages. A team on the cusp of championship contention requires additional firepower, not merely solvency. This reality has forced Chicago's decision-makers to evaluate potential cap casualties—veteran players whose production may no longer justify their substantial financial commitments.
Two names have emerged at the forefront of these discussions: linebacker Tremaine Edmunds and tight end Cole Kmet. Both represent significant investments at positions traditionally considered non-premium, and both lack guaranteed money on their remaining contracts, making them logical candidates for release.
Edmunds, who signed a four-year free agent contract in 2023, carries a daunting $17.4 million cap hit for the 2026 season. The 27-year-old defender has been a solid contributor when healthy, but availability concerns have clouded his value proposition. Last season, Edmunds and fellow starting linebacker T.J. Edwards missed a combined 11 games, creating opportunities for depth players to showcase their abilities.
During those absences, D'Marco Jackson and Nephi Sewell stepped into expanded roles and performed admirably, demonstrating the roster's hidden depth at the position. Jackson and Sewell's emergence provides the Bears with viable in-house alternatives, potentially making Edmunds expendable. The financial implications are stark: releasing Edmunds would free up $15 million in immediate cap relief, a substantial figure that could fund multiple upgrades across the roster.
The decision appears increasingly likely according to veteran NFL analyst Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune. Edwards' contract contains guaranteed money, providing him additional security, while Edmunds' deal offers no such protection. This financial reality, combined with the proven depth behind him, positions Edmunds as the most probable departure among Chicago's high-priced veterans.
A training camp battle between Jackson and Sewell for the starting role alongside Edwards would represent a cost-effective solution, allowing the Bears to redirect Edmunds' salary toward positions of greater need. The organization could target a premium pass rusher, upgrade the offensive line, or add depth to the secondary with the newly created flexibility.
Kmet's situation, while similar in financial magnitude, carries different nuances. The 26-year-old tight end accounts for a $10.8 million cap hit in 2026, with a potential savings of $8.4 million if released. His role diminished significantly during the 2025 season following the arrival of rookie sensation Colston Loveland, whose emergence has reshaped Chicago's tight end hierarchy.
Loveland's impressive rookie campaign suggests he's ready to assume primary tight end responsibilities in 2026, potentially relegating Kmet to a secondary role. However, Kmet's value extends beyond simple statistical production. The Bears frequently deploy multiple tight end formations, and the team currently lacks an established TE2 on the roster. This schematic dependence makes Kmet a less likely cap casualty than Edmunds, despite the potential savings.
Courtney Cronin of ESPN notes that while Kmet's salary appears inflated for a secondary option, his familiarity with the system and blocking proficiency provide intangible value. The Bears could conceivably approach Kmet about a contract restructuring or pay reduction, though such negotiations carry their own risks and complications.
The tight end's production had already begun declining in 2024, before Loveland's arrival, suggesting his peak performance may be behind him. Still, the lack of proven depth at the position provides Kmet with leverage and the Bears with reason for pause. Cutting him would create an immediate hole in the roster that would require additional resources to fill, potentially offsetting some of the financial benefit.
A more speculative but intriguing possibility involves wide receiver D.J. Moore. While significantly less likely than the other scenarios, Moore's contract situation makes him a fascinating trade candidate. The veteran receiver is scheduled to earn $24.25 million in each of the next four seasons, though only his 2026 compensation carries guaranteed money.
This contract structure creates a unique opportunity for both the Bears and potential trade partners. Acquiring teams would gain control of a proven star receiver who has yet to reach his 30th birthday, with the flexibility to exit the deal after each subsequent season if performance declines. For Chicago, moving Moore would generate substantial cap savings while potentially yielding valuable draft capital.
The Bears have methodically built their wide receiver room for long-term success, selecting Rome Odunze and Luther Burden as foundational pieces. This young core provides the organization with confidence to consider life without Moore, particularly if the return package includes high-round draft selections or impact players at positions of need.
Cronin emphasizes that a Moore trade remains unlikely but not impossible. The front office would demand significant compensation, likely including at least one first-round pick or multiple Day 2 selections. Such a package would need to outweigh the on-field production of a receiver who has consistently performed as one of the league's most reliable targets.
The broader strategic implications of these potential moves extend beyond simple salary cap management. The Bears stand at a critical juncture, attempting to balance financial responsibility with championship aspirations. Every dollar saved through veteran releases represents an opportunity to address weaknesses that may have prevented a Super Bowl appearance.
General manager Ryan Poles must weigh the intangible value of veteran leadership against the tangible benefits of financial flexibility. Edmunds and Kmet have both contributed to the team's culture and success, but the NFL's unforgiving salary cap system often forces cold, calculated decisions.
The emergence of young, cost-controlled talent across the roster provides Chicago with unusual leverage. Jackson, Sewell, Loveland, Odunze, and Burden collectively earn a fraction of what the veteran trio commands, demonstrating the front office's successful draft strategy. This youth movement enables the Bears to consider moves that would be unthinkable for teams lacking internal replacements.
As the 2026 league year approaches, the Bears will explore every avenue to optimize their roster. Contract restructures will likely serve as the first line of defense, creating immediate cap space through accounting maneuvers. However, substantive improvements may require the difficult choices that define successful franchises.
The coming weeks will reveal whether Chicago prioritizes continuity or flexibility. Retaining Edmunds and Kmet would signal confidence in the current core's ability to complete unfinished business. Alternatively, their releases would demonstrate a commitment to sustainable roster building, even at the expense of short-term chemistry.
Ultimately, the Bears' championship window remains open, but financial realities demand careful navigation. The decisions made regarding Edmunds, Kmet, and potentially Moore will shape not only the 2026 roster but the franchise's trajectory for years to come. In the NFL's era of parity, mastering salary cap management often proves as important as mastering the playbook.