Even after an incredible 2025 season, the Chicago Bears can't afford to get complacent. This team showed incredible potential, but it still has some growing to do before it's ready to take the throne of the NFC.
With limited roster spots and cap space heading into the offseason, general manager Ryan Poles is set to have some difficult decisions to make. Some contributors may have to be released to free up the money for more impactful players.
These players should be on the chopping block for Poles this offseason.
Bears should move on from these players in 2026
Cole Kmet
Tight end Cole Kmet is still good enough to be a consistent contributor for the Bears. He's a solid run blocker and does enough as a receiver to make defenses account for him. But with the meteoric rise of rookie Colston Loveland in mind, it's hard to justify keeping him on his current contract.
Kmet is currently set to make $11.6 million against the salary cap next season. If the Bears cut him before free agency opens, they can save $8.6 million in cap space. That money could be used to address one of their more pressing needs. In the modern NFL, it's important to have more than one quality tight end. Still, Chicago can find a capable backup at a much lower cost.
Roschon Johnson
It's never a good look when a player loses his job to a seventh-round draft pick. Rookie running back Kyle Monangai burst onto the scene in 2025, leaving veteran Roschon Johnson in the dust. After entering the season with a chance at holding down the second running back spot, the former fourth-round pick appeared in just two games all year. He had just two carries on the season, becoming obsolete in Ben Johnson's offense.
Monangai and D'Andre Swift could be a solid backfield tandem for the Bears for years to come. Unfortunately, there is no longer a place for Johnson on this roster.
Andrew Billings
Defensive tackle Andrew Billings struggled in 2025. While he played a significant share of the snaps for Dennis Allen's defense, he was unable to make an impact, especially against the run. He couldn't consistently affect the quarterback either, recording just one sack on the season.
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The Bears will likely look to add depth to their defensive line this offseason. That will likely leave Billings on the outside looking in.