Bears predicted to open up $29 million with two major roster moves

Heading into the offseason, just about everyone was concerned about the Chicago Bears‘ pass rush. Well, everyone but the Bears, apparently.

Chicago totaled just 35 sacks last year, so the general expectation was that the team would focus on bringing in at least one other edge rusher in the spring. Instead, the Bears have chosen to ignore the position entirely, which has most fans befuddled and frustrated.

Evidently, Chicago is confident that Austin Booker — who managed 4.5 sacks in 10 games last season — could have a breakout campaign in Year 3, and it also seems to believe that Dayo Odeyingbo will be able to recover from his Achilles injury and actually produce this time around.

There is still time for the Bears to add a veteran pass rusher like Jadeveon Clowney or Joey Bosa, but they don’t seem all that interested in doing so at the moment. It’s strange, but it is what it is.

Speaking of Odeyingbo, Jacob Infante of Pro Football Network feels that the former Indianapolis Colts edge rusher and defensive tackle Grady Jarrett could be entering the final years in Chicago.

Chicago Bears expected to cut ties with Dayo Odeyingbo, Grady Jarrett

Infante thinks that the Bears will open up significant cap room by releasing Odeyingbo and Jarrett after 2026.

“Cutting ties with disappointing free agent signings Dayo Odeyingbo and Grady Jarrett would save a combined $28.5 million in cap space, and Gervon Dexter will be a free agent. As flashy as his sack totals may be, he’s inconsistent in generating pressure and is a liability against the run,” Infante wrote.

Clearly, Infante believes that Chicago will look to overhaul its front seven next offseason, which is something it probably should have considered doing before 2026.

The Bears signed Odeyingbo to a three-year, $48 million contract last March. At the time, it looked like a fine deal, as he had been a productive player with the Colts. But he logged just one sack and four quarterback hits in eight games before tearing his Achilles during his debut campaign in the Windy City.

Jarrett, meanwhile, inked a three-year, $43.5 million deal with Chicago along with Odeyingbo. Because it seemed pretty clear that Jarrett had been declining with the Atlanta Falcons, the pact wasn’t viewed too favorably, and he ended up having a rough season with the Bears in 2025.

Barring a massive turnaround by one or both players, it wouldn’t be the least bit shocking if Chicago parted ways with the two of them.

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