5 Bears Immediately on Thin Ice to Begin 2025 Offseason

5. Gerald Everett - TE

The writing has been on the wall for eighth-year veteran TE Gerald Everett in his first year with the Bears.

He's an obvious cut candidate despite having one more season left on his deal. Chicago only has a $1 million dead cap hit should they release him. Considering Everett's cap hit would be $6.5 million otherwise, he's perhaps the most likely player on the entire roster to be looking for a new team in 2025.

Entering Week 18, Everett had caught eight of 13 targets for 36 yards. It's by far the worst production of his career, making it probable that all parties would prefer a fresh start to find a better fit. Cole Kmet is established as the top tight end after signing a four-year, $50 million extension in 2023, though Chicago could still use a capable backup behind him as they build around Williams.

Everett has never been known as a blocking threat, so he was never a great fit with the role the Bears needed him to play. He's only 30 years old though and had at least 400 receiving yards in each of the previous five seasons. If given the opportunity to catch passes, Everett has typically delivered.

No one in Chicago's passing game enjoyed a strong season, and Everett's outsized salary means it'd almost be organizational malpractice not to waive him. The Bears have too many holes across the roster to afford spending over $6 million on a backup tight end who plays only 23% of the offensive snaps.

Expect Everett's release to be one of the easiest decisions the organization makes all offseason.

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