The Chicago Bears are entering an interesting offseason where the bulk of their impact players remain under contract. Still, there will be some expected turnover to replace underwhelming pieces or to find new depth as s overlooked players find new opportunities elsewhere.
With this in mind, let's look at Chicago players most likely to find new landing spots in the 2026 offseason. Starting with a receiver who simply doesn't fit Chicago's timeline and clearly lost the trust of Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson over the final weeks of the season.
1. Olamide Zaccheaus
The receiver joined the Bears fresh off a great season with the Washington Commanders, piling up 506 yards and a trio of touchdowns in 2024. This raised expectations, and the veteran failed to deliver, accumulating 313 yards and often serving as an afterthought within Chicago's offense. Luther Burden III, DJ Moore, and Rome Odunze are all under contract for the 2026 season, making it clear that, as a pending free agent, Zaccheaus shouldn't be re-signed.
Even if the Bears had any level of interest, it would be on a team-friendly deal as a depth piece. The receiver shouldn't have any interest in a return, likely garnering a higher volume of targets in a new landing spot. This makes it clear that Zaccheaus will find a new team, and the Bears will need to find additional depth.
2. Case Keenum
The Bears headed into the season praising backup quarterback Tyson Bagent and making it clear he is the future behind Caleb Williams. Veteran Case Keenum was already expected to retire ahead of the 2025 season, but was talked into the new opportunity by head coach Ben Johnson. It made sense to have an experienced voice in the quarterback room as the franchise attempted to help Williams take the next step.
Now, it seems Keenum will retire or step into a coaching role on Johnson's staff. In either scenario, the veteran has played his last down and will leave the Bears looking for a new emergency option at the position. Even if Keenum wants to continue playing, he is a pending free agent and won't be re-signed with Williams and Bagent under contract.
3. Joe Tryon-Shoyinka
The Bears added Tryon-Shoyinka in early November, swapping a sixth-round pick in exchange for a seventh-round pick and the edge rusher. Chicago had a clear need at the position and hoped that the youthful roster would breathe life into an underwhelming career. Instead, Tryon-Shoyinka provided zero sacks during his tenure, giving the Bears no viable reason to consider retaining him.
As a pending free agent, it doesn't make sense to even consider spending money on a player who was part of the problem, rather than the solution. Chicago's funds are better spent on a star at the position who can offer the team a much-needed presence in the season's biggest moments. Even as a rotation piece, the veteran simply isn't worth the cap space of a potential re-signing.
4. Travis Homer
Homer is set to hit free agency and has been primarily used as a special teams piece during his three-year tenure. In the 2025 season, Homer only managed to play six offensive snaps and has zero chance of working his way into an incredibly talented backfield. For Homer, it makes far more sense to find a new landing spot in free agency that doesn't have the rushing stability of the Bears. While it is still going to be an uphill battle, almost any landing spot offers more upside.
5. Devin Duvernay
As a returner, Duvernay has real value, but the receiver is scheduled to hit free agency and offers the Bears another avenue to improve. It makes sense for Chicago to allow the veteran to walk away in free agency and attempt to find a return option in the draft. Already, you're parting ways with Zaccheaus and have every reason to continue the reset at the bottom of the receiver depth chart. This frees up two spots at a position that has incredible stability, allowing you to bring in project pieces in this year's draft class.
Duvernay played only 41 offensive snaps and isn't worth the likely high free agent price due to his skills as a returner. The Bears would be better served to bring in an unknown in hopes of finding not only a consistent return threat but also a potential depth contributor on offense.
6. Nick McCloud
It is a rough end to the corner's time in Chicago, given his snap count consistently going down due to performance throughout the 2025 season. McCloud will hit free agency when the new league year begins, leaving Chicago fans relieved to be rid of a consistent defensive problem. Watching the defensive back struggle so mightily in coverage answered the question of his potential return long ago.
Any thoughts of a re-signing were answered by his level of play and Chicago's far better answers, who remain under contract for the 2026 season. McCloud's career is likely to continue, but it won't be with the Bears after a year full of frustrations that ended with it beyond clear that Chicago had zero trust in the corner.
7. C.J. Gardner-Johnson
There are two reasons why re-signing the veteran simply doesn't make sense for the Bears heading into the offseason. The first is that the longer Gardner-Johnson stays with a team, the more likely it seems that he is going to wear out his welcome. The Philadelphia Eagles and Houston Texans both parted ways with the veteran under questionable circumstances. The second issue is a lack of cap space to spend at the safety position.
You're losing all three of your starting options, and pending free agents Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker have both earned the right to be paid before Gardner-Johnson. This makes it clear that there simply isn't enough money to go around, and the veteran will have to find his third team in the last two seasons.
8. Durham Smythe
Smythe is an upcoming free agent who has been offered consistent playing time despite being behind both Cole Kmet and Colston Loveland on the depth chart. If the Bears aren't going to consider trading Kmet, there isn't a valid reason for Smythe to return to the Bears in 2026. It is far more appealing to land in a spot where his team can offer the tight end a chance to be the second option at the position.
Chicago simply has a wealth of talent, and it is going to hurt them when it comes to attempts to re-sign a piece thatappears a luxury for a franchise already stocked at the position.
9. Jonathan Owens
Owens is now 30 and playing a position that already has previously mentioned free agents in Gardner-Johnson, Byard, and Brisker. With Chicago's focus on retaining its starters and the money the team will be forced to spend, it doesn't seem likely that Owens is going to return. The depth safety, and special teams contributor is likely going to need to find a new landing spot in hopes of playing a larger role or at least being given a chance to compete for snaps.