NFL free agency is here. The Chicago Bears have more cap space than any other team in the league, even after trading the No. 1 overall pick to the Carolina Panthers and getting wide receiver D.J. Moore in return, plus a haul of draft picks.
Per Spotrac, the Bears had about $100 million before the trade. Moore's contract brings that number down to a hair just over $75 million.
That seems like a big drop off, but the Bears still have the most salary cap space in the NFL by a wide margin. The Falcons come in at second with nearly $64 million, per Spotrac. In fact, the Bears still have the wiggle room to sign one or two marquee free agents like Orlando Brown Jr. or Javon Hargrave if they want to put a lot of their money to work now.
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And general manager Ryan Poles will put the cap space to good use. The Bears have a lot of holes on their roster to fill. Both lines, offense and defense. The Bears need a pass rusher. They need a linebacker.
Are they going to re-sign David Montgomery? Will they add another wide receiver?
The Bears have been tied to mainly players in the trenches. San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey is a name commonly tied to the Bears. Some are dreaming of Orlando Brown Jr.
Indianapolis Colts linebacker Bobby Okereke reuniting with head coach Matt Eberflus is another name tied to the Bears. And Chicago has been linked to all the defensive lineman on the market.
NFL
NFL teams can begin negotiating with free agents on Monday, but can’t officially sign them to deals until Wednesday at 3 p.m. when the new league year begins.
We will keep track of all the signings below, as they happen. Book mark this page and refresh.
SIGNED
DE DeMarcus Walker - 3 years
The Bears added Tennessee Titans defensive end DeMarcus Walker, per NFL Network's Mike Garafolo. Walker had a breakout season in 2022, recording seven sacks.
LB Tremaine Edmunds - 4 years
The Bears made another big splash at linebacker, signing former Buffalo Bill Tremaine Edmunds per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. It's a four-year deal for $72 million, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.
It also is the largest four-year deal for an inside linebacker in the NFL.
Click here for more details on Edmunds' signing.
OG Nate Davis - 3 years
The Chicago Bears have bolstered their offensive line signing former Tennessee Titans guard Nate Davis to a three-year deal, via NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. It's a three-year, $30 million deal.
LB T.J. Edwards - 3 years
The Bears agreed to terms with Philadelphia Eagles linebacker T.J. Edwards on a three-year deal, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. He'll reportedly get $19.5 million over the course of the contract.
Does this mean the Okereke rumors are dead? Edwards played MLB in Philly, so maybe not.
And a fun fact, Edwards was a teammate of Jack Sanborn at Wisconsin.
Click here for more details on Edwards' signing.
NBC Sports Chicago talked to Edwards at the Super Bowl about quarterback Justin Fields, whom he called a "special player."
"The one thing that surprised me a bit – obviously, he's as fast as anything – but he's a lot bigger than people think as well," Edwards also said. "A guy that big who can move like that is a tough task for a defense. He definitely creates a little headache for you."
RB Travis Homer - 2 years
The Bears agreed to terms with running back Travis Homer, former running back for the Seattle Seahawks. The deal is reportedly two years, worth $4.5 million.
News dropped of veteran, starting running back, David Montgomery, opting to sign with the Detroit Lions to the tune of a three-year deal worth $18 million. Shortly after, reports showed the Bears signed Homer.
Click here for more details on Homer's signing.
QB P.J. Walker - 2 years
The Bears added quarterback P.J. Walker to back up Justin Fields. Walker, previously with the Panthers, has familiarity with DJ Moore.
Last season Walker played in six games, passing for 731 yards and three touchdowns.
The Bears released Trevor Siemian.
TE Robert Tonyan - 1 year
The former Green Bay Packers tight end has joined the NFC North rivals. Tonyan has 1,437 career receiving yards but is a red zone threat with 17 touchdowns.
RB D'Onta Foreman- 1 year
The Bears added a second running back in free agency, rounding out that room. It's a one-year contract. Foreman is also the latest Panther to join the team.
Foreman rushed for a career-high 914 yards in 2022, finding the end zone five times.
DL Andrew Billings - 1 year
The Bears finally added some interior defensive line help. Billings spent three seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals before single seasons with the Cleveland Browns and Las Vegas Raiders. In 67 games, Billings has 120 tackles, 17 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks.