The Chicago Bears have plenty of needs to address this offseason. Although, outside of the 2020 NFL Draft, it’s going to be difficult given their limited salary cap space. They currently have a little over $6 million in cap space for 2020, according to Over The Cap.
Although that’s never stopped general manager Ryan Pace before. Pace has already his work on the salary cap by restructuring cornerback Kyle Fuller’s contract to free up cap space.
But aside from that, there are players the Bears could part ways with this offseason to free up a good chunk of salary cap space, which would allow Pace to extend some players in-house or bring in some new faces through free agency.
Here are four players that could be on the chopping block this offseason:
1. RG Kyle Long
Technically Kyle Long has already announced his hiatus/retirement from the NFL, which would free up the $8.1 million in salary cap space the Bears were set to free up by releasing the veteran right guard.
Long has struggled with injuries throughout his season, especially over the last four seasons where he’s finished each of those years on injured reserve. The Bears have are likely to turn to the NFL Draft for his replacement or look in-house with rookie offensive lineman Alex Bars.
2. CB Prince Amukamara
Perhaps the player that serves to be the Bears’ top salary cap casualty this offseason is cornerback Prince Amukamara, who is due to make $10 million in 2020. If the Bears choose to part ways with Amukamara, they can free up $9 million in salary cap space.
Amukamara has been a consistent player for the Bears, but he hasn’t had the turnover numbers that others have. Amukamara didn’t have any interceptions in 2019 after nabbing three the previous season. If the Bears feel like they can get similar or better production from second-year corner Kevin Toliver or another player through the NFL Draft, it’ll make the decision easier.
3. WR Taylor Gabriel
Another potential cap-casualty this offseason is receiver Taylor Gabriel, who’s been a dependable player for the Bears. Gabriel appeared in only nine games, where he had 29 receptions, 535 yards and four touchdowns — three of which came against the Redskins in Week 3.
Given the fact that the Bears can save $4.5 million in salary cap space, as well as the young corp. of receivers in Allen Robinson, Anthony Miller, Javon Wims and Riley Ridley, we might’ve seen the last of Turbo in Chicago.
4. TE Ben Braunecker
The Bears signed tight end Ben Braunecker to a two-year $2.7-million extension last offseason, but they could decide to move on from him if they overhaul the tight end position.The Bears would save $1.5 million salary cap space if they parted ways with Braunecker.
Given the lack of production from tight ends, Chicago is looking to shore up the position. They’ve had their eyes on some top prospects in the NFL Draft, and free agency also presents an opportunity to fix the most important position in Matt Nagy’s offense, second only to quarterback.
