A number of teams found themselves in need of moves to create immediate cap space leading up to the start of the season. The Bears were among them, and a set of restructures has been executed.
Per ESPN’s Field Yates, the contracts of guard Joe Thuney, defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo and linebacker T.J. Edwards have been reworked. As a result, the Bears have freed up approximately $17MM in cap space for the coming season. Over the Cap now lists Chicago as being roughly $5.5MM under the limit in time for Week 1.
Thuney is on the books through the next two seasons, and his base salary for 2026 ($1.3MM) is guaranteed. Much of the remaining $16.5MM of his compensation for the coming year has been converted into a signing bonus, which is standard practice when teams carve out financial breathing space. Thuney, entering his age-34 campaign, will be counted on to remain an anchor up front for Chicago.
Odeyingbo joined the Bears on a three-year free agent pact last spring but his debut season in the Windy City was limited to just eight games. The former Colt is in a similar situation to Thuney since he is owed $16MM in 2026. The majority of that figure will be paid out as a signing bonus as Odeyingbo also approaches the coming season without any money on the final year of his pact (2027) locked in at this point.
Edwards inked a three-year free agent contract in 2023. That was followed by a two-year extension last spring, meaning the 30-year-old is also under team control through 2027. Edwards’ $8.5MM in compensation for this season includes $5.81MM in signing bonus money. A full-time starter through each of his Bears campaigns, he will look to avoid the hand and fibula fractures which led to missed time in 2025.
Chicago’s moves ensure the team will be cap-compliant by the start of the season. If any notable roster additions are to be made before the trade deadline, though, further moves aimed at creating space may prove to be necessary.
