As the Chicago Bears get into the thick of their offseason programs with OTAs happening, minicamps and ultimately training camp taking place, fans will want to monitor several different players for various reasons.
It's easy to pick out the rising stars like Caleb Williams, Luther Burden among others, but some other veterans are gearing up for what is going to be a pivotal season in 2026.
Many veterans are looking at 2026 as a season that will define their future with the Bears, but their contracts might have already told the entire story.
The Chicago Bears have several notable players whose contract sends a strong message in 2026
Tyrique Stevenson, CB
The Bears' cornerback group is going to be fascinating to watch this season. We'll get to Jaylon Johnson in a bit, but Stevenson is in the final year of his rookie deal. There is very little chance the Bears bring him back with how inconsistent he has been. The only scenario that happens is if Johnson somehow falls flat and winds up being on a different roster in 2027.
In all likelihood, Stevenson's final year of his contract is also his final year in Chicago.
Dayo Odeyingbo, DE
Welcome to the most obvious cut candidate of 2027. Barring a shocking breakout from Odeyingbo in 2026, the Bears will undoubtedly be moving on from him next spring and avoiding his $19.5 million cap hit, saving $15 million by releasing him.
Not much else needs to be said. Odeyingbo has given the Bears every reason to believe signing him was a mistake, and 2026 will be the last we see of him in Chicago.
Cole Kmet, TE
Many have thought Kmet to be a trade candidate, especially after Chicago drafted Sam Roush this year and, of course, the breakout of Colston Loveland in 2025. His contract runs through 2027, but if the Bears wanted to trade or cut him next offseason, they'd save $10 million by doing so. Kmet's cap hit is over $15 million in 2027.
Everything is shaping up for this to be Kmet's last season with the Bears.
Jaylon Johnson, CB
Bears fans are praying Johnson can put his injury issues behind him and leave them all in 2025. If he's fully healthy for 2026, then there's a chance he gets another extension before the final year of his contract in 2027. He'll be 28 years old next spring, so there's a lot of football left in him if he's able to return to form.
It isn't an extremely likely scenario, but if Johnson is unable to stay healthy and/or his performance dips in 2026, the Bears can cut him and save $16 million in the process. Of course, they'd need a plan in place for who's going to replace him, and it very likely won't be Stevenson.
Grady Jarrett, DT
Jarrett is entering the second year of a three-year deal with the Bears, and we've already heard from him that he knows he has to give the city a better version of himself in 2026. But Chicago had no choice but to keep him around for 2026. The money says so.
When we get to the 2027 offseason, however, the Bears can save over $12 million by releasing him. It is no secret that the 2026 season could be his last in Chicago, especially with the pressure on Ryan Poles to finally revamp the defensive line next year.
D'Andre Swift, RB
As good as Swift was in 2025, he'll have to either match or exceed that in 2026 to stick around. This is nothing against Swift the player, but as a 27-year-old running back entering the final year of his contract, it's more likely the Bears will let him go and find a replacement than bring him back. That's just how the NFL goes when it comes to running backs.
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Swift is a good player, but not a superstar. Thus, his contract ending after 2026 tells us the Bears will probably move on.
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