With the NFL offseason beginning in earnest this week as the franchise tag window opened, and the NFL Scouting Combine next week, the Chicago Bears are starting to create additional cap space.
The roster move revealed on Friday was the team releasing veteran tight end Gerald Everett. Everett signed a two-year deal with the Bears last offseason but quickly faded to irrelevancy despite opening the 2024 campaign as the team's primary tight end over Cole Kmet. In cutting Everett, the Bears created an additional $5.5MM in salary cap space.
The Bears weren't done.
In addition to Everett, the Bears are moving from defensive lineman DeMarcus Walker.
The #Bears are releasing veteran DE DeMarcus Walker, sources say. A leader for Chicago who started all 17 games last season, the 30-year-old Walker heads to the market more than three weeks ahead of free agency. pic.twitter.com/nrt4NCMcHo
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) February 21, 2025
In his two seasons with the Bears, Walker totaled 16 tackles for loss including 7 sacks. Initially signed to be a defensive end, Walker ultimately served in a hybrid role along the Bears' defensive line, rotation between interior and edge spots.
Chicago Bears News: DeMarcus Walker released to create additional cap space
In cutting Walker, the Bears create an additional $5.25MM in Salary Cap space. Meaning, when factoring in Everett's release, the Bears have created over $10MM in salary cap space this offseason. Like Everett, there was an expectation that Walker was going to be among the cap casualties for the Bears this offseason.
While the case could have been made that Walker could have been an ideal depth piece for the defensive line, it's likely that the team will be adding another edge rusher who will be viewed as a starter and an starter interior defensive lineman. Under that scenario, it's far more likely that someone like Austin Booker would serve in the role Walker had with the Bears last season.
It's unclear if there will be more cuts by the Bears before the new league year. Walker and Everett were among the more obvious candidates. Offensive lineman Ryan Bates could be a candidate but the Bears may prefer to keep the veteran for depth purposes.