Chicago Bears: Despite Having A Big Wallet Poles Could Still Find Cuts

Despite entering the offseason with the highest salary cap space available, Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles can still find salary cuts to create even more.

This is going to be one of the most impactful offseasons in the history of the Chicago Bears. After another struggling season, one of the worst ever, general manager Ryan Poles has a number of assets to turn things around.

Poles and the Bears have the highest amount of salary cap space available. Spotrac projects them to have $98.7 million available to spend. The next team on that list, the Atlanta Falcons, is projected to have about $51.2 million.

Additionally, the Bears have the number one overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Because they don’t have a need at quarterback and a number of teams do, Poles will play Let’s Make A Deal with them (news that Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady retired adds even more teams calling Poles). That means the Bears will have additional picks to the eight they already have.

In spite of all that, Poles could still cut some more salary to give the Bears even more cap space. There are some players who just aren’t valuable enough to continue forward in the rebuild.

We saw last offseason that Poles has no qualms with shedding contracts. He did that when he jetted off Khalil Mack, among others. These are players he did not choose and if he feels they won’t be integral in the rebuild. Here are some players who could still be casualties this offseason:

Cody Whitehair, OG

Cody Whitehair has done a good job playing in a Chicago Bears uniform. He moved from guard to center and back to guard in his seven seasons. However, he missed five games in 2022. Additionally, he got beat more times than he has at any time during his career.

Sometimes it is better to walk away too early than too late. Whitehair is likely to have more injuries and play less. Poles wants to have a young and athletic offensive line. He is going to overhaul the unit. Whitehair doesn’t fit what Poles is looking for.

If the Bears part ways (trade or cut), they save about $5.8 million in cap space.

Justin Jones, DT

The Chicago Bears defensive front just couldn’t get the job done in 2022. Opponents were able to run through the middle of the line and quarterbacks had all the time in the world to find open receivers.

Justin Jones had a decent season. He had 52 tackles, 12 of them for loss. He added 3 sacks.

Poles wants the return of the Monsters of the Midway, however. While he won’t go on a spending spree, he will spend a good chunk of money on both the offensive and defensive lines. He wants a big upgrade on both units so Jones could be a casualty.

The Bears save $4.9 million by parting ways with Jones.

Lucas Patrick, IOL

Lucas Patrick was one of the first signings Poles made last offseason. He was supposed to take over at center. Things did not work out, though.

He broke his thumb at the start of training camp and it went downhill from there. He played in only seven games, starting five of them. Even when he finally came back from his injury, he wasn’t able to play at center. In fact, he played just one game at the spot and he ended up breaking a toe and he didn’t play for the rest of the season.

Poles has a big decision to make on Patrick. Was the 2022 season so bad that he doesn’t feel it is worth having him around as part of the rebuild, or does he feel that Patrick’s injuries didn’t give the Bears a chance to really see him play the way they wanted?

The Bears could also move Patrick over to guard and bring someone else at center. In any case, the departure of Patrick saves the Bears save $3.9 million.

Al-Quadin Muhammad, DE

Al-Quadin Muhammad is another player along the defensive line who might not be in the Chicago Bears’ plans moving forward.

The move to Chicago just did not work out for either side. Muhammad had the worst season in his career. He finished the season with career-lows in sacks (1) and total tackles (29). He just wasn’t effective in his time on the field.

Muhammad should not feel comfortable before the new league year. By letting him go, the Bears save almost $4 million.

After parting ways with these four players the Chicago Bears’ salary cap space jumps up to $117.2 million. That strengthens an already strong situation. He can be in on any free agent he feels will help hasten the rebuild.