HEADLINES

Chicago Bears News & Rumors

Texans Looking Into RB Nick Chubb

June 8th, 2025 at 4:14pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

The Texans have been “looking at [the] running back market” and could pursue former Browns RB Nick Chubb, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

Chubb, a seven-year veteran, hit free agency this offseason for the first time in his career after playing just 10 games in the last two years due to injury. A torn ACL robbed him of most of the 2023 season; he worked his way back to the field for eight games in 2024 before going down once more with a broken foot. Chubb expressed a desire to stay in Cleveland, but the Browns declined to re-sign him and instead pursued younger options for their backfield.

Houston signed ex-Bengals running back Joe Mixon last offseason and could look to add another former AFC North ballcarrier in Chubb. Both Mixon and his backup, Dameon Pierce, missed at least three games last year with minimal production from Cam Akers and Dare Ogunbowale further down the depth chart.

Chubb’s 41.5 yards per game and 3.3 yards per carry in 2024 were well below his career standards, but he was one of the most efficient running backs in the league before his 2023 injury. This late in the offseason, he will likely have to sign a one-year deal close to the veteran minimum to prove his health, which could offer significant upside for the Texans.

Fowler said on SportsCenter (via Bleacher Report’s Andrew Peters) that a return to Cleveland is “not totally off the table” but remains unlikely after the Browns selected two running back in April’s draft. That aligns with Fowler’s previous report on ESPN Cleveland that Chubb is not expected to re-sign with his longtime “barring some sort of surprise or injury.”

Fowler also mentioned the Commanders and the Bears as potential suitors at the end of May. The Commanders are returning their 2024 backfield, making Washington a less likely destination than Chicago. The Bears missed out on their preferred running backs in the draft and do not have a clear No. 2 behind D’Andre Swift.

Bears S Jaquan Brisker Has Not Considered Retirement

June 6th, 2025 at 12:38pm CST by Adam La Rose

Concussions have been one of the defining aspects of Jaquan Brisker‘s NFL career to date. The fourth-year Bears safety has recovered from his latest one, and he has not given thought to retirement.

Brisker is committed to resuming his career in 2025. The coming campaign will be key for team and player in this case. Chicago’s secondary is aiming for a rebound compared to its performance last season, while the 26-year-old is a pending 2026 free agent. No changes in playing style are being planned by Brisker either.

“No, I’m not,” the Penn State product said while speaking to the media when asked if was giving thought to retirement or focusing on his concussion history (via 670 The Score). “I’m not. I’m good. I’m past that point. I’m really moving on. I’m just focused on playing ball. I’m going to continue to play the same way.”

Brisker has served as a full-time starter throughout his time with the Bears. He has missed time every season due to a concussion, though, and in 2024 he was only available for five games. A healthy slate from the former second-rounder would be crucial to Chicago’s defense while also making it easier to commit to him beyond the coming campaign. Brisker topped 100 tackles during his first two seasons, and he has amassed three interceptions and 13 pass deflections to date.

A trend of missed time through injury – particularly concussions – often gives teams pause when they contemplate re-signing or extending players. Brisker has made it clear his long-term brain health is not seen as a concern at this point, however, so he should be able to play his way into a lucrative second contract with a strong season in 2025. His ability to remain available for a full campaign will be an interesting storyline to follow.

2025 NFL Cap Space, By Team

June 4th, 2025 at 8:57am CST by Sam Robinson

This week started with a point on the NFL calendar that has been important for decades. Although teams have not needed to wait until June to make their most expensive cuts in many years, they do not see the funds from post-June 1 designations until that point.

With June 1 coming and going, a fourth of the league has seen the savings from post-June 1 releases arrive. That has affected the NFL’s cap-space hierarchy. Here is how every team stands (via OverTheCap) following June 2 changes:

  1. New England Patriots: $67.34MM
  2. San Francisco 49ers: $53.49MM
  3. Detroit Lions: $40.12MM
  4. New York Jets: $39.8MM
  5. Las Vegas Raiders: $36.16MM
  6. Arizona Cardinals: $32.11MM
  7. Dallas Cowboys: $32.11MM
  8. Pittsburgh Steelers: $31.88MM
  9. Seattle Seahawks: $31.21MM
  10. Tennessee Titans: $30.16MM
  11. Green Bay Packers: $28.94MM
  12. Cincinnati Bengals: $27.08MM
  13. Los Angeles Chargers: $26.83MM
  14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: $26.63MM
  15. Jacksonville Jaguars: $26.54MM
  16. Philadelphia Eagles: $25.79MM
  17. New Orleans Saints: $22.62MM
  18. Washington Commanders: $21.13MM
  19. Indianapolis Colts: $20.09MM
  20. Los Angeles Rams: $19.44MM
  21. Baltimore Ravens: $18.95MM
  22. Carolina Panthers: $18.69MM
  23. Minnesota Vikings: $18.49MM
  24. Cleveland Browns: $18.2MM
  25. Houston Texans: $16.3MM
  26. Denver Broncos: $16.23MM
  27. Chicago Bears: $14.76MM
  28. Miami Dolphins: $13.81MM
  29. Kansas City Chiefs: $10.75MM
  30. Atlanta Falcons: $5.02MM
  31. New York Giants: $3.82MM
  32. Buffalo Bills: $1.69MM

The Jets saw their situation change the most from post-June 1 designations, as $13.5MM became available to the team after its Aaron Rodgers and C.J. Mosley cuts. Teams have up to two post-June 1 designations at their disposals. Five clubs — the Jets, Browns, Ravens, Eagles and 49ers — used both slots. Only three other teams made a post-June 1 cut before that seminal date. The eight that made these moves will have dead money split between 2025 and 2026.

Baltimore used the cost-defraying option to release Marcus Williams and Justin Tucker, while Cleveland — in Year 4 of the regrettable Deshaun Watson partnership — used it to move on from Juan Thornhill and Dalvin Tomlinson. As the Eagles’ option bonus-heavy payroll included two hefty bonus numbers for Darius Slay and James Bradberry, the reigning Super Bowl champions released both 30-something cornerbacks. Together, Slay and Bradberry will count more than $20MM on Philadelphia’s 2026 cap sheet. As for this year, though, the Browns, Eagles, Ravens and 49ers respectively saved $9.85MM, $9.4MM, $6.3MM, $6.4MM and $5.6MM, according to Spotrac.

The Jaguars made a mid-offseason decision to release Gabe Davis, doing so not long after trading up to draft Travis Hunter — with the plan to primarily play him at wide receiver — at No. 2 overall. Off-field issues, coupled with a down 2024 season, made Tucker expendable — after the Ravens drafted Tyler Loop in Round 6. The Vikings moved off Garrett Bradbury‘s contract and will replace him with free agency addition Ryan Kelly, while Mason lasted two seasons paired with C.J. Stroud‘s rookie deal. The 49ers made it known early they were moving on from Javon Hargrave, while 2024 trade addition Maliek Collins also exited the team’s D-tackle room.

Derek Carr‘s retirement being processed Tuesday also changed the Saints’ funding. The team will spread the dead money ($50.13MM) across two years. Even with the number being reduced this year, the Saints will be hit with the second-highest single-player dead money hit (behind only the Broncos’ Russell Wilson separation) in NFL history as a result of the Carr exit. The Saints will only be responsible for $19.21MM of that total in 2025. As they did with Jason Kelce and Fletcher Cox‘s retirements last year, the Eagles will also process Brandon Graham‘s hit this way.

Eight of this year’s post-June 1 releases remain in free agency. The Patriots added Bradbury to replace the now-retired David Andrews, while the Vikings scooped up Hargrave. As the Steelers await Rodgers’ decision, they added two other post-June 1 releases in Slay and Thornhill. Tomlinson joined the Cardinals not long after his Browns release.

Caleb Williams Addresses Pre-Draft Bears Hesitation

May 30th, 2025 at 10:03pm CST by Adam La Rose

Excerpts from Seth Wickersham’s upcoming book, (American Kings: A Biography of the Quarterback) recently detailed the extent to which Caleb Williams originally preferred to wind up with the Vikings rather than the Bears during last year’s draft. The 2024 No. 1 pick spoke on the subject at the outset of OTAs.

Wickersham’s book notes how Williams’ father sought out ways to avoid heading to Chicago given the franchise’s history of poor QB development. A Combine meeting with Kevin O’Connell and the Vikings, by contrast, created a strong desire for Williams to begin his NFL career in Minnesota. Of course, that proved impossible when the Bears – who only hosted one quarterback prospect last spring – informed the former Heisman winner they would select him first overall.

“There hasn’t been a 4,000-yard passer [in Bears history],” Williams said when reflecting on his initial trepidation about joining the team (via Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times). “There’s all these different things that come up. Being able to have those thoughts is, I think, fair.”

The 23-year-old made it clear in his remarks that his thoughts on the situation shifted following his top 30 visit with the Bears. Williams turned his attention away from seeking out ways to avoid being drafted by Chicago and instead focused on helping end the team’s struggles. Things did not according to plan in 2024, but plenty of time remains for improvement individually and as a team to take place.

“I think you think about all of the options and you look at the history and the facts and all of these different things,” Williams added. “Those are thoughts that go through your head in those situations. All of those are thoughts. And then after I came on my visit here, it was a… deliberate and determined answer that I had: I wanted to come here.”

The Oklahoma and USC product was sacked a league-leading 68 times during his rookie campaign. The Bears have re-shaped the interior of their offensive line this offseason, one in which skill-position players (tight end Colston Loveland, receiver Luther Burden) were added with Chicago’s first two draft picks. Especially with Ben Johnson now in place as head coach, expectations will be high for the team’s offense in 2025. Williams’ development will be a central factor in the Bears’ success on that side of the ball, and a strong showing in Year 2 would of course help lead to questions and speculation about his pre-draft approach subsiding.

2025 NFL Trades

May 28th, 2025 at 9:03pm CST by Sam Robinson

The modern NFL features four clear trade windows. While the Cowboys and Steelers’ George Pickens swap showed moves can be made at other points on the NFL calendar, early March, the draft, the 53-man roster-setting date and the November deadline reside as the primary points trades occur around the league. On that note, it is a good time to check in on what has transpired on the trade market between windows two and three.

Excluding pick-for-pick trades, here are the moves NFL teams have made thus far in 2025:

March 1

49ers chose running back Jordan James at 147

March 4

Rams traded pick to Vikings, moving up to No. 172 for linebacker Chris Paul Jr.

March 5

March 6

March 7

Seahawks chose quarterback Jalen Milroe at 92

March 9

Seahawks used No. 52 to trade up (via the Titans) 17 spots for safety Nick Emmanwori, drafted running back Damien Martinez at 223; Steelers selected quarterback Will Howard at 185

March 10

Texans added wide receiver Jaylin Noel at 79, sent 236 to Jaguars in Day 2 trade; Commanders chose wideout Jaylin Lane at No. 128 

Eagles used No. 164 to climb one spot (via Chiefs) in first round for linebacker Jihaad Campbell

March 11

March 12

Bills took Ohio State cornerback Jordan Hancock at 170; Cowboys chose guard Ajani Cornelius at No. 204

Titans drafted running back Kalel Mullings at No. 188; Cowboys chose running back Phil Mafah at 239

March 13

March 15

Vikings packaged No. 187 in trade-down move (via Texans); 49ers drafted safety Marques Sigle at 160

April 3

Patriots traded down from No. 171 (via Lions) to draft kicker Andres Borregales; Cowboys chose defensive tackle Jay Toia at 217

April 26

Seahawks selected defensive lineman Rylie Mills at No. 142; Vikings traded No. 172 to Rams

May 7

June 2

Pick could upgrade to fourth-rounder if performance-based conditions are met

Bears Extend G Joe Thuney

May 27th, 2025 at 2:45pm CST by Adam La Rose

MAY 27: Thuney’s fourth contract (when the 2020 franchise tag is counted) pays out its guarantees by 2026. The accomplished blocker will be due a $1MM roster bonus in March 2027, according to Spotrac. That will help the Bears determine if they want to keep Thuney around for an age-35 season, but he effectively ensured status on the 2026 Bears’ roster via this re-up. Though, Thuney’s cap hit will climb from $8MM this year to $21.5MM in 2026 and ’27.

MAY 20: Before making his Bears debut, Joe Thuney has a new deal in hand. The All-Pro guard agreed to terms on a two-year extension, his agent announced on Tuesday.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports this pact is worth $35MM and brings Thuney’s scheduled earnings up to $51MM over the next three seasons. $33.5MM is fully guaranteed at signing. Rather than entering the coming season as a pending free agent, Thuney is now on the books through 2027. To no surprise, this agreement will lower his 2025 cap hit, with Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune noting it will be cut in half to $8MM.

The 32-year-old represented a key element of the Bears’ multi-faceted efforts to improve along the interior of the offensive line. He, like fellow guard Jonah Jackson, was acquired via trade in March prior to the outset of free agency. Those two are set to join free agent signing Drew Dalman, who departed the Falcons on the open market to take on center duties in Chicago.

After a strong five-year run in New England to begin his career, Thuney enjoyed plenty of individual and team success during his time with Kansas City. He added another two Super Bowl titles to his resume with the Chiefs while earning a Pro Bowl nod during each of the past three seasons. That stretch includes the 2024 campaign, during which Thuney took on left tackle duties out of necessity with the team’s other blindside options falling short of expectations.

That setup proved to be effective enough for the Chiefs until their Super Bowl loss, one which did not damper Thuney’s value. Kansas City’s need to budget for a Trey Smith commitment at the other guard spot – which to date consists of using the franchise tag with an extension likely coming in the near future – resulted in the Thuney trade, though. The NC State product was dealt to the Bears in exchange for a 2026 fourth-round pick. He will handle his familiar left guard spot, with Jackson moving over to the RG position upon arrival in Chicago.

At first, Thuney was non-committal about signing an extension prior to the start of the 2025 season. In April, however, general manager Ryan Poles made it clear a new deal on this front was a team priority. Jackson inked a one-year extension shortly after he was acquired, and today’s move means both of Chicago’s guards are under contract until the 2028 offseason. The same is also true of Dalman.

Pass protection was a major issue for the Bears in 2024; improved play from quarterback Caleb Williams in Year 2 will depend in large part on the team’s ability to deliver stronger play up front. New head coach Ben Johnson named changes along the interior of the O-line as something to watch for upon arrival. That took place on multiple fronts, and now all three of the unit’s new faces are attached to overlapping multi-year pacts.

NFC North Notes: Reed, Bears, Lions, Vikes

May 24th, 2025 at 12:09pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

Since trading Davante Adams to the Raiders in 2022, the Packers have relied on the draft to add wide receivers rather than pursuing veteran talent.

They did so once again this year, drafting Matthew Golden with the 22nd overall pick and double-dipping with Savion Williams in the third round (No. 87 overall). Those picks raised questions about the future of their current receiver corps. Both Romeo Doubs and Christian Watson are entering the last year of their rookie contracts, and Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks are schedule to hit free agency after the 2026 season.

That uncertainty caused Reed’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, to meet with Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst in an effort to “clarify the wide receiver’s status in Green Bay,” per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Reed was the team’s leading receiver in his first two NFL seasons, and the Packers intend to keep him in that role moving forward.

Packers head coach Matt LaFleur expressed surprise when asked about Reed by NBC Sports’ Chris Simms and praised the 2023 second-rounder’s leadership and production in Green Bay.

“He’s coaching up Matthew Golden, so he’s a guy I don’t worry about,” said LaFleur.

Here is the latest from the NFC North:

  • Isaiah Simmons‘ versatility was one of the main reasons that he was a top-10 pick in 2020, but he has struggled to find a positional fit in the NFL. He signed with the Packers this offseason and will play linebacker in Green Bay, per The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman. Simmons spent his first five years in the NFL in a hybrid box/slot role; streamlining his responsibilities at LB could help him unlock his athleticism and finally live up to his draft billing.
  • Lions second-round pick Tate Ratledge primarily played guard at Georgia and will compete for starting jobs with veteran Graham Glasgow and 2024 sixth-rounder Christian Mahogany as a rookie, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. Lions offensive line coach Hank Fraley added that Ratledge would also see time at center during OTAs to train for a backup role to Frank Ragnow.
  • Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen said that rookie Shemar Turner will focus on playing along the interior of the defensive line before the team tests his edge versatility (via Scott Bair of Marquee Sports Network). Turner lined up off the edge at Texas Tech in 2022 and 2023 before bulking up for interior work in 2024. Chicago has depth at both spots this year, but they’re thinner at DT in the long-term, which is where Turner will spend most of his time. Still, his athleticism and experience should give him a chance to contribute as an edge defender at some point in his NFL career.
  • A jury trial for Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison has been scheduled for June 16 in the Superior Court of California, per ESPN’s Kevin Seifert. Addison received a citation for a DUI in July 2024 and pleaded not guilty in December.

The Most Lucrative ILB Contract In Each Franchise’s History

May 21st, 2025 at 10:09pm CST by Sam Robinson

The 49ers have again made Fred Warner the NFL’s highest-paid off-ball linebacker. The franchise did this in 2021 as well. A team that has employed All-Pro NaVorro Bowman and Hall of Famer Patrick Willis over the past 15 years, the 49ers have spent on the high end to fortify this position. Other clubs, however, have been far more hesitant to unload significant cash to staff this job.

The $20MM-per-year linebacker club consists of only two players (Warner, Roquan Smith), but only four surpass $15MM per year presently. Last year saw the Jaguars and Jets (Foye Oluokun, C.J. Mosley) trim their priciest ILBs’ salaries in exchange for guarantees, and the Colts did not make it too far with Shaquille Leonard‘s big-ticket extension. Although some contracts handed out this offseason created optimism about this stubborn market, franchises’ pasts here do not depict a trend of paying second-level defenders.

Excluding rookie contracts and arranged by guaranteed money, here is (via OvertheCap) the richest contract each franchise has given to an off-ball ‘backer:

Arizona Cardinals

Atlanta Falcons

Baltimore Ravens

Buffalo Bills

Milano’s first extension (in 2021) brought more in overall value and fully guaranteed money, but the 2023 pact provided more in total guarantees

Carolina Panthers

Shaq Thompson‘s 2019 extension brought a higher AAV ($13.54MM), but Kuechly’s included more in guarantees

Chicago Bears

Cincinnati Bengals

Cleveland Browns

Dallas Cowboys

Denver Broncos

Dre Greenlaw‘s 2025 contract (three years, $31.5MM) brought a higher AAV but a lower guarantee

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

Houston Texans

Azeez Al-Shaair checks in atop franchise history in AAV ($11.33MM) but fell short of McKinney’s in guarantees

Indianapolis Colts

Jacksonville Jaguars

Kansas City Chiefs

Las Vegas Raiders

Rolando McClain‘s 2010 rookie contract, agreed to in the final year before the rookie-scale system debuted, checked in higher in terms of guarantees ($22.83MM)

Los Angeles Chargers

Kenneth Murray‘s rookie contract (a fully guaranteed $12.97MM) narrowly eclipses this deal

Los Angeles Rams

Mark Barron‘s 2016 contract brought a higher AAV ($9MM) but a lower guarantee

Miami Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

  • Jerod Mayo; December 17, 2011: Five years, $48.5MM ($27MM guaranteed)

Robert Spillane‘s $11MM AAV leads the way at this position in New England, but the recently dismissed HC’s contract brought more guaranteed money

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

Blake Martinez‘s free agency deal included a higher AAV ($10.25MM) but a lower guaranteee

New York Jets

Philadelphia Eagles

Pittsburgh Steelers

San Francisco 49ers

Warner secured more guaranteed money on this extension than he did on his five-year 2021 deal ($40.5MM guaranteed)

Seattle Seahawks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

Washington Commanders

Jamin Davis‘ fully guaranteed rookie contract brought a higher guarantee ($13.79MM)

Patriots Rejected Two Trade Offers For Second-Round Pick

May 20th, 2025 at 1:59pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Patriots have been linked to showing interest in the player the Dolphins chose in Round 2, guard Jonah Savaiinaea, but after the Arizona product went off the board, multiple teams eyed the Patriots’ No. 38 choice.

An episode of Forged in Foxborough details a Bears offer for No. 38; the NFC North team proposed No. 39 and a seventh-round pick to move up a spot. It is believed (via ESPN.com’s Mike Reiss) Chicago wanted TreVeyon Henderson, whom New England ended up taking. A previous report indeed indicated Chicago was eyeing Henderson.

This appears a lower-stakes example of last year, when the Pats rejected two quality trade offers (from the Giants and Vikings) aimed at Drake Maye. The Pats ended up staying at No. 3 and taking Maye for themselves.

The Bears were not the only team to propose a deal for No. 38, however, as the Forged in Foxborough episode also revealed a more notable trade offer. The Patriots received a proposal for No. 38 that included Nos. 58, 79 and a 2026 third-round pick. This would have netted the Pats three Day 2 picks in exchange for one, though it is not known if New England would have needed to throw in another pick as part of a swap.

It is fairly safe to assume the Texans made this offer, as they held No. 58 at the time the Pats made their Henderson choice. Houston had already moved out of Round 1, and Nick Caserio — a Bill Belichick lieutenant during Mike Vrabel‘s New England linebacker years — was active in trades throughout draft weekend. This later included a move up in Round 2, as the Texans climbed to No. 48 (via the Raiders) and chose Minnesota tackle Aireontae Ersery. The Texans gave up Nos. 58 and 99 for the Raiders’ No. 48 slot.

Houston may have been targeting Ersery that high, as the team has launched a near-full-scale O-line overhaul this offseason. The Texans were connected to also moving up in Round 1 for ex-C.J. Stroud Ohio State weapon Emeka Egbuka, but the Buccaneers made a surprise play for the all-time Buckeyes receiving leader at No. 19. The Texans then slid out of Round 1, collecting three Day 2 choices from the Giants to do so. Houston had already chosen Iowa State receiver Jayden Higgins at No. 34, pointing to its New England offer being a non-WR play.

The Texans could have been in play for Henderson as well, as only one running back on a current roster (Derrick Henry) has Joe Mixon beat for career carries (1,816). The Texans circled back to their RB need in Round 4, trading up for USC’s Woody Marks; the future third they offered to the Patriots ended up going to the Dolphins in that exchange.

Henderson was fairly popular during the draft, as the Broncos are also believed to have targeted the Ohio State standout in a trade-down move. Denver discussed terms with the Giants, which would have allowed New York to move ahead of Pittsburgh and draft Jaxson Dart. But Big Blue believing the Steelers would pass on Dart at 21 prompted the team to stand down, eventually dealing with the Texans (for No. 25). The Broncos then bolstered their secondary with cornerback Jahdae Barron.

Another interesting nugget from the Patriots’ Henderson selection process came when Vrabel mentioned a potential wide receiver move with the team’s No. 69 overall pick. Moving out of the No. 38 slot for either offer would have cost the Patriots Henderson; a wideout would have likely been considered in Round 2, in that case. The Pats deciding to stay at 38 and choose Henderson preceded the team using No. 69 on Washington State wideout Kyle Williams. Both skill-position cogs will be expected to boost Maye’s development this season.

Bears Planning LB Competition

May 17th, 2025 at 6:50pm CST by Adam La Rose

Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards are still in place with the Bears ahead of the 2025 campaign. They will retain their spots in the starting lineup at the linebacker spot, but it remains to be seen who will join them in that capacity.

Edmunds inked a four-year, $72MM pact in 2023, cashing in considerably after playing out his rookie pact with the Bills. Edwards landed a three-year deal that same offseason, and the former Eagle received a two-year, $20MM extension last month. Expectations will remain high for the duo moving forward, but Jack Sanborn‘s departure has left notable snaps in need of being replaced.

“That third spot, it’s up for grabs,” head coach Ben Johnson said when speaking to the media about the other first-team linebacker gig (via Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune). “[Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen] has got a prototype for what that Sam would look like. We’re more concerned, let’s find our third best linebacker and we’ll figure it out from there.”

No outside moves were made at the position during free agency, but Chicago added a rookie in the form of fourth-rounder Ruban Hyppolite during the draft. The Maryland product will look to carve out at least a special teams role while the likes of Noah Sewell, Amen Ogbongbemiga and Swayze Bozeman aim to land a full-time starting gig. No member of that trio has experience in such a role at the NFL level.

Sanborn, who joined the Cowboys this offseason, never handled a defensive snap share above 39% during his three years in Chicago. Still, he logged nearly 1,000 total snaps over that span and served as a special teams mainstay in 2024. Replacing his production in both regards will see the team’s internal options compete over the course of training camp.

The Bears may end up looking outside the organization at some point, but for now they sit near the bottom of the league with $6.76MM in cap space. A move made via trade or free agency could target a low-cost starting candidate, although a path exists for at least one in-house linebacker to lay claim to a starting gig before it is considered.

Load More Posts