The Chicago Bears have flipped their financial outlook in a matter of days.
After entering the offseason slightly over the projected salary cap, the organization has now created up to $85.9 million in projected cap space — thanks to eight key players agreeing to contract restructures.
League sources indicate that head coach Ben Johnson played a central role in gaining veteran buy-in, emphasizing a unified push toward contention in 2026.
Rather than cutting productive starters, Chicago chose to restructure contracts — converting portions of 2026 base salaries into signing bonuses and prorating them across remaining contract years.
This lowers the immediate cap hit while preserving roster continuity.
Below is how each projected restructure is expected to work:
DJ Moore – Wide Receiver
Moore carries one of the largest cap hits on the roster.
Projected restructure:
Convert approximately $20M of his 2026 base salary into a signing bonus and prorate it over the remaining four years of his deal.
How it helps:
Instead of a $20M cap hit in 2026, the prorated amount would count roughly $5M per year.
Projected savings: $15M
Montez Sweat – Edge Rusher
Sweat’s contract contains significant base salary flexibility.
Projected restructure:
Convert $16M of base salary into bonus, spread over four remaining years.
How it helps:
Reduces his 2026 cap number by roughly $12M while slightly increasing future cap hits.
Projected savings: $12M
Jaylon Johnson – Cornerback
Johnson recently signed a major extension, making his deal restructure-friendly.
Projected restructure:
Convert $14M of base salary into prorated signing bonus.
How it helps:
Spreads cap impact across multiple seasons without affecting guarantees.
Projected savings: $10–11M
Joe Thuney – Left Guard
The veteran offensive lineman carries a large cap number but remains crucial to protection.
Projected restructure:
Shift roster bonus and base salary totaling around $12M into signing bonus.
Projected savings: $8–9M
Dayo Odeyingbo – Defensive End
A newer addition with cap flexibility.
Projected restructure:
Convert $11M into bonus form.
Projected savings: $8M
Jonah Jackson – Right Guard
Jackson’s contract structure allows conversion without void years.
Projected restructure:
Move approximately $10M into prorated bonus.
Projected savings: $7–8M
Grady Jarrett – Defensive Tackle
Jarrett’s veteran deal contains convertible salary.
Projected restructure:
Convert $9M into signing bonus across three remaining years.
Projected savings: $6–7M
Tremaine Edmunds – Linebacker
Edmunds remains a foundational defensive piece.
Projected restructure:
Convert $8M of 2026 salary into prorated bonus.
Projected savings: $6–7M
Why This Works
By converting base salary into signing bonus and prorating it, Chicago lowers immediate cap hits while pushing smaller portions into future seasons — when the league salary cap is projected to continue rising.
This approach allows the Bears to:
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Remain competitive without cutting core players
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Aggressively pursue a premier pass rusher
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Add depth at defensive tackle and safety
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Maintain roster continuity entering a Super Bowl window
The move does increase future cap obligations slightly. However, with projected annual cap growth, the organization believes the risk is manageable.
Instead of tearing down the roster, the Bears chose alignment.
Eight players bought into the vision.
And now Chicago has the financial flexibility to chase it.
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