4 veterans the Chicago Bears can cut in 2023 to bolster cap space
By Todd Welter
The Chicago Bears will have plenty of cash to spend on free agents in the 2023 offseason. With some many roster holes to fill, the Bears are going to need to add as many players as possible to improve the roster.
The Chicago Bears are currently projected to have around $124 million in salary cap space. That is a lot of money to go out and possibly sign Javon Hargrove, Elgton Jenkins, Orlando Brown Jr., or Daron Payne to upgrade their offensive and defensive lines.
Looking at the Chicago Bears’ depth chart, they probably need to add three more receivers, a couple of offensive lineman, a bunch of pass rushers and defensive tackles, and then some linebackers.
General manager Ryan Poles might need to add another starting-caliber cornerback. He also has to get some depth at tight end behind Cole Kmet. Quarterback and running back are probably the only position groups the Bears are all set.
Poles can have even more salary cap space by releasing four veteran players.
$124 million in cap space is nothing to take for granted. Atlanta is the closest team to the Bears in available cap space next offseason. The Bears lap the Falcons by a country mile with $52 million more in available spending room.
It will be hard for Poles to spend all that money. He has a way to potentially get the Bears up to $155 million in available cap capacity.
Poles can release center Lucas Patrick and defensive end Al-Quadin Muhammed before June 1st. He can then release safety Eddie Jackson and guard Cody Whitehair after June 1st.
Cutting Patrick and Muhammed would save $8 million against the cap. The Bears would gain an additional $23 million in cap space if they cut Jackson and Whitehair after June 1st. If Jackson and Whitehair are cut before June 1st, it saves $13 million.