The Chicago Bears made a move a day before the NFL’s legal tampering period is set to begin Monday at noon ET, re-signing defensive end Daniel Hardy to a two-year contract worth close to $5 million and could reach $6 million with incentives, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
The Bears are re-signing DE Daniel Hardy to a two-year deal worth close to $5 million, per source. Max close to $6M with incentives.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 8, 2026
Hardy, 27, finished the 2025 season with two total tackles and one quarterback pressure in 54 defensive snaps played. Although he didn’t contribute much on the defensive side of the ball, Hardy did have a significant role on special teams.
The former seventh-round draft pick from Montana State played 77.85% of the special teams snaps last season and led the team with 20 total tackles, according to teamrankings.com. He was also voted as a Pro Bowl alternate.
Bears give Daniel Hardy contract extension
He was a part of some of the biggest plays on the third phase, like the onside kick recovery against the Green Bay Packers in Week 16 at Soldier Field. Hardy and linebacker Noah Sewell cleared the way on that onside kick to allow defensive back Josh Blackwell to recover the ball.
Josh Blackwell continues to make plays on special teams, and he joined me to break down his onside kick recovery against the Packers.
— Nicholas Moreano (@NicholasMoreano) December 24, 2025
This Bears film video is presented by @312SportsCards1. pic.twitter.com/bGzorg3gmx
A well-rounded football team has quality players all around, and that includes special teams. And the 6-foot-2, 255-pound defensive end has carved out a role for himself under coordinator Richard Hightower.
With Hardy under contract, there might be an opportunity to contribute in other ways as well. He played just one snap on offense all season, and it occurred in the Week 17 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
Spoke with Bears DE Daniel Hardy about playing fullback vs the 49ers. Make sure to watch the full interview. @312SportsCards1
— Nicholas Moreano (@NicholasMoreano) January 2, 2026
"I haven't played offense since high school. ... But you mess up something on offense, it feels like Ben might come karate chop you off the sideline." pic.twitter.com/hcTba4e4d5
Hardy lined up at fullback, and D’Andre Swift ended up scoring a touchdown on the play. Coach Ben Johnson took note of that rep.
"Yeah, the intent was to get him (Hardy) isolated on the MIKE and give him an opportunity to set the tone for us,” Johnson said. “Play didn't quite work out that way, and yet it resulted in a touchdown. So might see a little bit more Hardy going forward."
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This is only the first of many moves the Bears will likely make with the team getting set for free agency this upcoming week.