With the NFL salary cap for 2026 estimated to increase between $22 million and $26.5 million, fans of the Chicago Bears are hoping that general manager Ryan Poles can build off what this team did in 2025 and re-sign several guys along the way.
Looking ahead to free agency, the Bears have 25 free agents set to hit the open market, which means the front office will have to make decisions about them between now and next month. Chicago likely won’t re-sign everyone, which could open the door for Ian Cunningham, who was hired earlier this week as the Atlanta Falcons new general manager, to poach a few of his former guys.
One could argue that Nashon Wright would be at the top of Cunningham’s free agency wishlist. However, another defender that could be of interest to Cunningham and maybe Poles is veteran defensive tackle Andrew Billings.
Ian Cunningham Could Pull a Fast One on Bears and Poach Andrew Billings in Free Agency
The 30-year-old defensive lineman is scheduled to be a free agent next month after spending the last three years in the Windy City. Billings found himself back in the starting lineup this season after having his 2024 season cut short by a torn pectoral muscle.
Billings appeared in all 17 games and made 14 starts under new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen. The last time that happened was in his first year with the Bears in 2023.
Billings isn’t much of a sack artist in the middle of the defensive line, as he had one sack, to go along with six tackles for loss and five QB hits. The veteran’s job is to help stop the run and open up the gaps for the linebackers. Unfortunately, Billings didn’t do a great job stopping the run, as his ugly run defense grade of 39.0, ranking him 116th among 134 eligible defensive linemen, from Pro Football Focus would suggest.
Due to his ineffectiveness against the run, it might force Poles to consider going in a different direction at the DT spot, either the draft or free agency. According to Spotrac, Billings’ calculated market value is set at a two-year deal worth $5 million ($2.5M AAV).
That might be too rich for an inconsistent run-stopper, but Atlanta could use him in the middle of their defensive line.
The Falcons run a 3-4 defense under Jeff Ulbrich, which should work in Billings' favor. Atlanta’s NT group wasn’t spectacular this season, and it likely played a role in the Falcons’ struggles against the rush.
The Falcons gave up the ninth-most rushing yards per game (126.2) and were ranked eighth in yards per carry (4.6). Looking at the Falcons’ cap situation, they will have the room to add the veteran defensive lineman if they want to. The Falcons are projected to have $26.4 million in cap space, per OverTheCap.com.
If the Falcons make it a bidding war or even come close to Billings’ calculated market value, the Bears should not even attempt to bring him back. Chicago would be better off making a play for Roy Lopez or Cameron Jordan, the latter of whom was coached by Allen.