(670 The Score) One of the first orders of business for new Bears general manager Ryan Poles was to conduct a deep study of the roster he inherited. What he found was a team that needs a major overhaul.
Poles won’t publicly address what significant changes the Bears need on their roster, but his actions in rebuilding will speak louder than any words could. Predecessor Ryan Pace left behind an aging team as he prioritized trying to win in the present.
Rebuilding the Bears’ roster won’t happen overnight, but creating a healthier salary cap outlook can happen in fairly short order. Chicago has a handful of players who could be released in cap-clearing moves this offseason.
The Bears are currently 11th in available top 51 salary cap space at $27.4 million, according to Spotrac. The league average is $13.5 million. But Chicago has several glaring voids on the roster that need addressed, and they'll likely need to create more cap space to fill those.
Here are five candidates to be released by the Bears this offseason and how that could play out.
Note: All figures are courtesy of Spotrac. Teams are limited to no more than two post-June 1 cuts.
NT Eddie Goldman, 28
2022 cap hit: $11.81 million
Cap savings: $6.66 million
Dead money: $5.15 million
As the Bears shift their defense to a 4-3 scheme, it’s hard to see their 3-4 nose tackle Goldman returning. He was Pace’s second draft pick and played at a high level for parts of his six seasons, but he hasn't been reliable enough lately for the Bears to pay the $11.81-million cap hit.
With Goldman’s release likely and defensive lineman Akiem Hicks' expected departure, the Bears’ defensive line will look different next season. So begins the shift for new coach Matt Eberflus’ defensive identity.
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LB Danny Trevathan, 31
2022 cap hit: $5.719 million
Cap savings: $3.28 million (post-June 1)
Dead money: $2.34 million
In 2020, the Bears signed Trevathan to a three-year, $21.75-million extension that included void years through 2025. The decision was perplexing at the time, and the contract hasn't aged well.
Trevathan, who will turn 32 in March, struggled at times in 2020 and played in just five games last season. He was shut down on injured reserve twice in 2021 due to a knee injury. His release seems almost certain, but he'll have to be a post-June 1 cut. It’s worth noting teams are limited to no more than two post-June 1 cuts.
QB Nick Foles, 33
2022 cap hit: $10.66 million
Cap savings: $3 million
Dead money: $7.66 million
Foles has just one season remaining under contract with the Bears and features a higher dead money figure than cap savings number. But do Poles and Eberflus feel any reason to keep him on the roster?
The Bears may seek a trade for Foles instead of a clean cut, but he comes with a $10.66-million cap hit in 2022 that’s far too pricy for a backup quarterback. It will be complicated to find a trade partner.
OL Cody Whitehair, 29
2022 cap hit: $12.3 million
Cap savings: $8.1 million (post-June 1 cut)
Dead money: $4.2 million
Whitehair has started 95 games since his rookie season of 2016 and missed just two contests. He has been a reliable player for the Bears since being drafted in the second round.
But Whitehair ranked 46th out of 57 guards last season, according to Pro Football Focus. It would only benefit the Bears to release him as a post-June 1 cut. That would be a move to make if James Daniels or another veteran guard signed with Chicago and further cap savings were needed.
RB Tarik Cohen, 26
2022 cap hit: $5.75 million
Cap savings: $4 million (post-June 1 cut)
Dead money: $1.75 million
Is it worthwhile for the Bears to retain Cohen for 2022? That’s a complex question to answer. First, it depends on how healthy he is after missing all of the 2021 season recovering from a torn ACL that he suffered in September 2020 – and whether he can return as the same dynamic gadget for Chicago’s offense and special teams.
Cohen could make sense as a post-June 1 cut if the Bears no longer see value in what he brings. Jakeem Grant earned Pro Bowl recognition while replacing Cohen as the team’s punt returner, and Khalil Herbert stepped in as the backup running back. Of course, there’s no such thing as too much speed, assuming Cohen still has his explosiveness left.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.