8 Bears players who could be salary cap cut casualties
Now that the franchise tag window has closed, the salary cap has been set and free agency is ready to kick off in a week, we’re officially in the middle of one of the toughest times of the NFL calendar. Now is when coaches and GMs will be taking a close look at their rosters, deciding if there are any players under contract they need to cut, and, if so, how many. Some teams, including the Bears, have reportedly already started letting players go. Since COVID-19 impacted revenues in 2020, the reduced salary cap in 2021 is expected to lead to even more cap casualties than usual. It’s safe to say neither Ryan Pace nor Matt Nagy would want to make any of these moves, but at least some of them may be an unfortunate reality. All contract figures listed below come from Spotrac and have been rounded to one decimal point.
Dead money: $3.3 million
Cap savings: $2.7 million
Earlier this month, Adam Schefter reported that the Bears had released Skrine. He was the team’s primary slot corner, but missed the last four games of the 2020 season with a concussion.
Cap savings: over $5 million, per Ian Rapoport
Multiple reports say this is another move the Bears have already made. One difference, the team declined an option to bring back Massie, so it’s not quite the same as a strict cut. Massie joined the Bears in 2016, then signed a four-year extension in 2019.
Dead money: $493,000
Cap savings: $1.2 million
When the team chairman goes on talk radio and calls out a player by name, saying he’s disappointed in their actions, it’s a pretty bad sign. That’s exactly what happened at the end of the year when George McCaskey singled out Miller for punching C.J. Gardner-Johnson in the Bears’ Wild Card loss to the Saints. On the field, Miller hasn’t taken the next step that was expected when the Bears spent a second-round draft pick to acquire him.
Dead money: $24,000
Cap savings: $920,000
While Wims doesn’t seem to be in as bad graces as Anthony Miller, he was still suspended two games for being the first man to punch C.J. Gardner-Johnson back in Week 8. Then, he had a chance to redeem himself in the Bears’ playoff rematch against the Saints, but dropped a touchdown and killed the team’s momentum. Does a guy’s career usually hinge on two plays? No. But, wow, those were two big plays.
Dead money: $3 million
Cap savings: $7 million
Graham was the Bears’ best red zone option last season, and by all accounts has been the consummate mentor for Cole Kmet. But as Kmet developed in the offense, Graham’s snap counts started to drop. Graham can still add value as a scoring threat in 2021, but with only one year left on his deal— and his 35th birthday coming this year— he seems like a more likely cut candidate than extension candidate.
Dead money: $5 million, post 6/1: $2.3 million
Cap savings: $6.2 million, post 6/1: $9 million
This one is tough, since the Bears have reportedly already decided to part ways with right tackle Bobby Massie. If Pace really wants to hit reset on the edges, Leno could be a candidate for one of the Bears’ two “post June 1” cut designations to maximize cap savings this year. But Leno has started every game for the Bears over the last five seasons. That reliability is extremely valuable, so an extension for Leno might be the best move. That way the team can lower his $8.9 million base salary this year, while also avoiding the creation of a big roster hole.
Dead money: $9 million, post 6/1: $6 million
Cap savings: $11 million, $14 million
Another guy who the Bears may prefer to extend, rather than cut, since he only has one year left on his contract. With an extension not only does the team retain one of the best players at a premium position, but they also can lower his 2021 cap hit, and avoid paying out $3 million that would be due with his voided contract years. But if Pace does cut Fuller, he would be another option to be designated as a post June 1 release. Other talented cornerbacks who have already been let go by their former teams include Desmond Trufant and A.J. Bouye.
Dead money: $1.5 million
Cap savings: $10.5 million
Hicks is a glue guy for the Bears, and he’s a serious force on the defensive front. But in the last year of his deal the team can save a lot of money by letting him go, and it would come with a relatively low dead cap hit. Eddie Goldman’s expected return and Bilal Nichols strong play last season could make this move a bit more palatable. But finding a way to extend Hicks and lower his cap hit this year is obviously the ideal scenario.
