With the start of NFL free agency only weeks away, the Chicago Bears will be looking to make a few roster cuts to give themselves the optimal amount of cap space to upgrade their roster at various positions.
Some fans believe the team could cut ties with veteran linebacker Tremaine Edmunds and tight end Cole Kmet. This would save the front office at least $23.4 million. However, the Bears could also look to part ways with depth guys such as Roschon Johnson or even Amen Ogbongbemiga.
Ogbongbemiga wouldn’t be the most impactful cut, as it would only save the Bears $2.1 million in cap space. However, based on how the last two seasons have gone for him, Chicago might need to consider it, as that roster spot could be used for another linebacker or a position of need.
Amen Ogbongbemiga on Thin Ice with NFL Free Agency on the Horizon
The veteran special teamer initially joined the Bears in 2024 on a one-year, $2.1 million deal. In his first year with the club, Ogbongbemiga appeared in all 17 contests, predominantly on special teams. He recorded 11 total tackles in the final phase of the game, ranking seventh in the NFL.
After being one of Richard Hightower’s top special teams contributors in 2024, the Bears decided to bring Ogbongbemiga back on a two-year, $5 million extension.
However, it appears that the extension backfired on the Bears as Ogbongbemiga struggled to stay on the field this past season. The veteran defender played in eight games, not making his 2025 debut until Week 10.
Ogbongbemiga was asked to play not only special teams but also extended snaps on defense. In only his third game back from injury, the veteran linebacker recorded 14 combined tackles across a season-high 42 defensive snaps in Week 12 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Bears needed it as they were without T.J. Edwards, Noah Sewell, and Edmunds, who were sidelined by injury. After that, Ogbongbemiga played 28 and 12 defensive snaps in Weeks 13 and 14, before reverting to a full-time special teams role.
The injury bug reappeared for Ogbongbemiga after missing Week 16 with a hamstring and the wildcard game with a concussion. Despite those injury concerns, one could argue that it's a no-brainer to keep Ogbongbemiga for depth purposes in 2026.
However, Chicago has two LBs on reserve deals, and the Bears could use that money to bring back D’Marco Jackson, who was a special teams guy too, but showed that he can be a starter.
Then there’s rookie Ruben Hyppolite, who had a disappointing rookie season, but could take those special teams snaps. And if the Bears are pressed to have a veteran special teams contributor on a full-time basis, they could easily re-sign Jalen Reeves-Maybin at a lower price than $2.1 million.
Nonetheless, it’s not a forgone conclusion that Ogbongbemiga will be cut. But if the Bears want to get as much cap space as possible, he could be one of the first on the chopping block.