Chicago Bears free agency: Cuts Bears should make to increase cap space

Eddie Royal, Cap savings: $5 million

Here is another player who missed out on a lot of playing time due to injury. Royal came to Chicago to play the slot receiver and become a dependable possession receiver. He had some flashes, but he could not tear himself away from the trainer’s room.

In two seasons with the Bears, Royal missed 14 of a possible 32 games. Even when on the field, his nicks and bruises kept him from playing at 100 percent. After making 62 catches for 778 yards and 7 touchdowns for the San Diego Chargers in 2014, he made just 70 catches for 607 yards and 3 touchdowns in the two seasons combined with the Bears.

The Chicago Bears’ wide receiver corps needs a revamping. A huge decision on Alshon Jeffery looms. Re-signing Jeffery will cost a lot of money. Any extra money they find buried in the couch will go a long way in not only keeping Jeffery but also signing other players.

If Kevin White finally shows that he is a good number two option (not a sure thing given his own injuries), the Bears won’t pay $5 million to a number three receiver who cannot even stay healthy enough to play half a season.

The Bears will have a new quarterback in 2017 (more on that later). In order to have him succeed, the front office needs to equip him with weapons. Those weapons need to be on the field on a regular basis. Royal just cannot do that.