Chicago Bears: Potential cap casualties in 2020 offseason

4. Cordarrelle Patterson

The Bears are clearly high on Cordarrelle Patterson. Wherever he’s gone, he’s made an impact from the slot, the backfield, and on special teams. If Patterson has a big impact in 2019, it’s clear that he could end up being the Bears biggest free agent signing from 2019.

While most would think that Patterson is ready to earn every penny of his two-year, $10 million dollar deal, the reality is that the Bears gave him a very team friendly contract. Financially speaking, the Bears would create $4.75 million dollars in cap space by moving on from Patterson next offseason.

In fact, the Bears should have no problem moving on from Patterson next offseason as a player of his caliber with speed and receiving ability is already on the roster. Seventh-round rookie Kerrith Whyte is one of the fastest players on the team and can have an impact similar to Patterson’s.

Upon signing with the Bears, Patterson admitted that Chicago was one place he wanted to be. After keeping up with the Bears all throughout the 2018 season, he felt that the Bears culture was one where he could excel as a player and fit his personality.

When the Bears signed Patterson earlier in the offseason, they did so with the understanding that he’d be the one piece on offense that would help this team become a more complete offense. While he’s drawn praise from coaches, his deal was essentially a one-year-and-we’ll see deal.