3 cut candidates the Chicago Bears should strongly consider getting off the books heading into 2025
The Chicago Bears have a lot of work to do over the next few weeks to get the offseason started on the right foot.The first order of business is landing the coaching hire and the Bears already have an extensive list of potential candidates lined up for interviews in the coming days.Then, the task shifts […]
The Chicago Bears have a lot of work to do over the next few weeks to get the offseason started on the right foot.
The first order of business is landing the coaching hire and the Bears already have an extensive list of potential candidates lined up for interviews in the coming days.
Then, the task shifts toward the roster and the incoming head coach will have some say in the decisions coming up down the road. The Bears have multiple players eligible for extensions and over 20 pending free agents to debate re-signing.
In terms of bringing in new talent, the Bears are armed with three draft picks in the Top-50 and have over $80 million available to spend on outside help. And, a few strategic cuts could give the team and the new coach even more money to work with.
Here are three players currently on the books in 2025 the Bears should strongly consider cutting ties with in order to create more cap space this offseason.
TE Gerald Everett
This was a bad signing from Day 1. On paper, it looked like a good idea pairing an athletic big-bodied tight end with Cole Kmet in a system that he's familiar with. On the field, we just never got to see that pan out.
Part of the reason why is because Gerald Everett was brought into Chicago by offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, and it's not Everett's fault Waldron was fired less than 10 months after taking the job. But, even with Waldron, Everett never produced given the amount of snaps he was getting on offense.
Everett finished the season with just eight receptions for 36 yards on 13 targets. The veteran tight end played all 17 games and was on the field for 246 offensive snaps. According to Pro Football Focus, Everett was the Bears' lowest graded offensive player among all pass catchers with a 42.9 offensive grade.
The Bears signed Everett to a 2-year, $12 million deal last offseason. Cutting him before June 1st would save the Bears $5.5 million in cap. It's a no brainer.
DE DeMarcus Walker
Finding players on the defensive line is going to be one of the team's top priorities this season, so it might be confusing to see a player who started all 17 games on this list. The reality is, the Bears' front office wants to add another alpha to the line to complement Montez Sweat and Walker hasn't shown he can be one.
Even though Walker recorded 3.5 sacks and 16 QB hits in 2023, that's largely because all of the attention was on Sweat because opposing offenses weren't worried about Walker compared to Sweat. That's something the Bears want to improve on in 2025.
Which means the team is looking for a new starter to play opposite Sweat that's not Walker. The Bears could add that kind of guy while still keeping Walker in the fold, and he's been a solid leader in the locker room. But, with younger guys looking to take the next step in 2025 such as Austin Booker and Dominique Robinson, Walker might be forced off the team if another star is added to the room.
Moving on from Walker would save the Bears $5.2 million in cap. Walker signed 3-year, $21 million deal with the Bears prior to the 2023 season.
K Cairo Santos
Don't let the walk-off moment and lap around Lambeau Field in the season finale fool you. The Bears showed how much confidence they have in their kicker in Week 17 after electing not to attempt a potential game-winning 57-yard field goal.
Cairo Santos has been efficient since joining the Bears and was rewarded with a new deal in December 2023, but he showed his limitations in 2024. Multiple teams picked up on those limitations, leading to two blocked field goals, one of which could have won the game for the Bears in Week 11.
For a team aiming to be a playoff team in the near future, you can't rely on a guy like Santos as a long-term kicker that can win you games with his leg from long distances. Moving on from him, even after the new deal, would save the Bears over $2 million.
Other Potential Cut Candidates: OL Ryan Bates, S Jonathan Owens
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