VIKINGS HAVE EXTENDED A 8.3 MILLION COMTRACT FOR 2 KEY PLAYERS WHICH HAVE…
Before free agency, the Chicago Bears have a sizable amount of cap room, but it doesn’t mean the team will spend heavily on a second edge rusher.
At the previous year’s trade deadline, general manager Ryan Poles acquired Montez Sweat from the Washington Commanders for a second-round pick. The defensive end was then signed to a four-year contract worth $98 million. The Bears prioritize acquiring a second elite pass-rusher, but they can decide not to allocate the majority of their resources at this position.
In addition to outlining the team’s plan, Josh Schrock of NBC Sports Chicago also explained why he thinks Chicago will eventually look to add players like defensive end Za’Darius Smith of the Cleveland Browns to complete the edge rush.
Following the cuts of Eddie Jackson and Cody Whitehair, the Bears will have roughly $67 million in cap room. However, the Bears are already under $30 million when you deduct about $13 million for the draft class, $7 million for in-season expenses, and $18.8 million for [Jaylon] Johnson’s tag.
The previous season, when playing opposite Myles Garrett, the 31-year-old Smith recorded 60 pressures and six sacks. Smith is nearing the end of his prime and is probably looking at a deal that pays between $10 and $13 million, even though he outperformed his contract in 2023. [A.J.] Epenesa seems like a more practical choice, but Smith and Sweat together would be a nightmare for opposing teams to deal with if the Bears can manage the numbers.
