5 Players the Bears Must Consider Cutting in the Offseason

The offseason goes through the Chicago Bears for the second straight year.

You can thank having the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, another top 10 first-round draft choice, and the sixth most salary cap space for that.

The hope is those assets can finally be cashed toward winning the NFC North for the first time since 2018. It would be nice if this pivotal offseason leads to the franchise's first playoff victory in 13 years.

The Bears must decide on what to do with quarterback Justin Fields. They can draft his replacement with the No. 1 pick, or they could trade down in the hopes of adding more offensive pieces around him. The team desperately needs wide receivers. D.J. Moore and Tyler Scott are the only receivers under contract that are worth mentioning. A new center must be added to the offensive line.

Another edge rusher is needed to help Montez Sweat. A high-level three-technique defensive talent would also be a welcome addition. The team can also get better through some subtractions this offseason.

Specifically, the Bears should cut these five players.

Eddie Jackson

The veteran free safety was having a career renaissance in 2022 when he had four interceptions in 12 games. A foot injury ended his season prematurely.

This season he was a non-factor. Jackson picked off just one pass this season.

Jackson will have a cap hit of $18.14 million next season. That is the second-highest cap number after Tremaine Edmunds. That is too high of a number for a safety who just turned 31 and has just five interceptions over his last four seasons (he had 10 during his first three).

The Bears can save $12 million in cap space with a $5 million dead cap number if he is cut this offseason. Considering he can be replaced internally with Elijah Hicks on a cheap deal, it is no brainer to move on from Jackson. The team can also sign a cheaper replacement in free agency or use a draft pick too.