June 1 has come and gone, and for NFL front offices, it’s a date that often reshuffles the board. Post-June 1 designations become official, cap space becomes more defined, and opportunities—or limitations—become clearer. For the Chicago Bears, the picture that emerged isn’t one of big splashes, but of calculated moves born from financial constraints.
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Currently, the Bears sit with just $14.75 million in available cap space, according to OverTheCap.com. That ranks them 26th in the NFL. More importantly, 11 other teams have double or more of that room, giving them far more flexibility to chase remaining free agents. For a team still patching holes on its roster, that’s a major disadvantage.
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What makes the outlook even more concerning is who those teams are. Division rivals Detroit and Green Bay have $40.2 million and $28.9 million in cap space, respectively. NFC contenders like the 49ers and Commanders are also flush with cash. Any high-end free agent still on the market—like Jadeveon Clowney, Nick Chubb, or J.K. Dobbins—will naturally gravitate toward teams with more money and a clearer path to the playoffs.
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This doesn’t mean the Bears can’t add anyone. But it means their strategy has to be ultra-selective. One-year, value deals. Back-end veterans. Depth signings. It’s a stark contrast to the days when Chicago had the money to throw $10 million at Riley Reiff or Yannick Ngakoue just before camp. That era, at least for now, appears to be over.
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One of the few financial moves giving the Bears some breathing room was the extension of Joe Thuney. Structured to free up space in 2025, his cap hit was reduced to just $8 million for this year. That move saved the team $8 million, allowing some wiggle room, but it also created future complications.
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Thuney’s cap hit will balloon to $21.5 million in both 2026 and 2027. Because of this restructuring, the Bears are already projected to be $4.6 million over the cap in 2026, and that’s before accounting for the next wave of draft picks. In essence, the Bears borrowed from the future to survive the present.
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Still, that $4.6 million overage is modest compared to other NFC North teams. The Packers are projected to be $9.9 million over, while the Vikings and Lions are an eye-popping $53.7 million and $55.4 million over, respectively. In the long run, Chicago might be in better shape—if they don’t make any more costly short-term decisions.
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Until then, however, the Bears are not in position to win bidding wars. They’re not chasing the top of the market for edge rushers or running backs. They’ll need to scan the second and third tiers: aging backs like Jamaal Williams or Jeff Wilson, rotational defenders like Tanoh Kpassagnon, or rookies who’ve yet to earn a spot elsewhere.
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This limited approach isn’t necessarily bad. Chicago’s roster has improved enough over the last two seasons that it no longer needs to spend heavily just to field a competitive unit. The Bears are now looking for supplemental players, not saviors—depth over desperation.
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Still, this offseason represents a delicate balance. Overpaying for stopgaps now could wreck future flexibility. But being too conservative could result in holes that get exposed over a grueling season. It’s a financial chess match, and GM Ryan Poles must play it wisely.
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The cap doesn’t lie, and Bears fans should temper expectations. Splashy signings are unlikely. Bargain hunting will be the norm. If Chicago lands a recognizable name, it will be because that player accepted a discount—or had no better options. And in the NFL, that’s rarely the case.
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In the end, the Bears’ 2025 strategy will rely more on internal growth than external additions. The roster is deeper, the culture is stronger, and the quarterback situation more stable. But make no mistake: while rivals reload with cash to burn, Chicago is walking a financial tightrope—and every dollar counts.