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Bears Free Agency Tracker

Patrick Norton Avatar
Patrick Norton
March 9, 2025
Chicago Bears potential free agency targets Milton Williams, Drew Dalman and Khalil Mack.

The new league year has begun, and NFL free agency has officially commenced.

F.A.Qs

TRANSACTION TRACKER

LAST UPDATED: Mar. 20 — 2:50 p.m.

• BEARS ACQUISITIONS
• TARGETS HEADED ELSEWHERE
• RECENT BEARS

ACQUISITIONS

Effective Cap Space: $10,460,296 (does not include Zaccheaus, Kramer, Duvernay, Homer)

DEVIN DUVERNAY

The Bears announced they’ve signed 2021 All-Pro wide receiver/return specialist Devin Duvernay to a one-year deal. Duvernay, 27, spent last season with the Jaguars. The Bears also made official the re-signing of RB Travis Homer to a one-year contract.

Patrick Norton, CHGO Sports

DOUG KRAMER JR.

The Bears announced they’ve re-signed Doug Kramer to a one-year deal. Ben Johnson has his fullback.

Patrick Norton, CHGO Sports

TRAVIS HOMER

Running back Travis Homer is re-signing with the Bears on a one-year, $2 million deal, per source.

Adam Schefter, ESPN

OLAMIDE ZACCHEAUS

Veteran WR Olamide Zaccheaus is signing with the #Bears, per source. OZ had a career-high 45 catches and three TDs last season with Washington. Another weapon for Caleb Williams.

Tom Pelissero, NFL Network

SCOTT DALY

Long snapper news: The #Bears are re-signing Scott Daly to a one-year deal, per The Insiders.

Tom Pelissero, NFL Network

TARVARIUS MOORE

  • [Mar. 10 — 3:55 p.m.] The Chicago Bears announced they have signed DB TARVARIUS MOORE to a one-year contract extension.

GRADY JARRETT

Source: former Falcons Pro Bowl DT Grady Jarrett — released today from Atlanta — already has found a new home, reaching agreement on a 3-year $43.5 million deal including $28.5 million fully guaranteed with the Chicago Bears. Deal negotiated by Todd France at Athletes First.

Adam Schefter, ESPN
ODEYINGBO & JARRETT
EMERGENCY POD

DAYO ODEYINGBO

The #Bears are giving edge Dayo Odeyingbo a 3-year deal worth $48M — $16M per year — with $32M fully guaranteed, sources say.

Ian Rapoport, NFL Network

[MORE ON ODEYINGBO & JARRETT]

DREW DALMAN

  • [Mar. 10 — 11:21 a.m.] DREW DALMAN is signing with the Chicago Bears.

    Drew Dalman is signing a three-year deal worth $42 million, with $28 million guaranteed, per Ian Rapoport.

[MORE ON DREW DALMAN]

DURHAM SMYTHE

The #Bears are signing former #Dolphins TE Durham Smythe to a 1-year deal, source says, as he’s back with Ben Johnson — his former WRs coach in Miami. Smythe was one of the longest tenured Dolphins.

Ian Rapoport, NFL Network

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TARGETS HEADED ELSEWHERE

MECOLE HARDMAN

Source: Free agent WR/return specialist Mecole Hardman is signing with the #Packers on a one-year deal. Hardman takes his speed from Kansas City to Matt LaFleur’s offense.

Jeremy Fowler, ESPN

KEVIN ZEITLER

#Lions free agent G Kevin Zeitler, one of the best and most durable FA linemen left, is expected to sign with the #Titans, sources say. A priority in Tennessee, he gets a 1-year, $9M deal. With family in Nashville, and the opportunity to work with OL guru Bill Callahan, this makes sense.

Ian Rapoport, NFL Network

JOEY BOSA

ESPN source: Five-time Pro-Bowl DE Joey Bosa reached agreement tonight on a one-year, $12.6 million deal with the Buffalo Bills.

Adam Schefter, ESPN

JAVON HARGRAVE

The #Vikings aren’t done: They’re also closing in on a deal with two-time Pro Bowl DT Javon Hargrave and plan to sign him after his release from the #49ers is official Wednesday, sources say. So Jonathan Allen heads to Minnesota and now another huge D-line move in the works.

Tom Pelissero, NFL Network

WILL FRIES

Guard Will Fries is headed to the #Vikings for five years and $88 million, sources told ESPN. One of the top interior linemen on the market is now off the board.

Jeremy Fowler, ESPN

JONATHAN ALLEN

Former #Commanders Pro Bowl DT Jonathan Allen is signing with the #Vikings on a 3-year, $60M per me and
@TomPelissero. Huge. Deal done by @blakebaratz of @TeamIFA.

Ian Rapoport, NFL Network

DAN SKIPPER

Veteran OL Dan Skipper back to the #Lions on a one-year deal, per source.

Jeremy Fowler, ESPN

RYAN KELLY

The #Vikings are expected to sign four-time Pro Bowl #Colts standout C Ryan Kelly, per me and @TomPelissero. A key veteran addition. He gets a 2-year, $18M deal.

Ian Rapoport, NFL Network

ROBERT HAINSEY

Source: #Bucs C Robert Hainsey has agreed to terms with the #Jaguars on a 3-year, $21M deal in a deal done by Tommy Condon of CAA. He gets $13M guaranteed. More protection for Trevor Lawrence and a family face for Liam Coen.

Ian Rapoport, NFL Network

POONA FORD

The Rams have agreed to terms with DL Poona Ford on a three-year deal, per source. Their dynamic run-stopper, who they feel has untapped pass rush potential.

Jourdan Rodrigue, The Athletic

MILTON WILLIAMS

Splash: The Patriots are taking the biggest defender off the market, as Eagles DT Milton Williams lands in New England, per me and Mike Garafolo. Williams gets a $26M per year.

Ian Rapoport, NFL Network

CHRIS GODWIN

Chris Godwin back to Bucs 3 years 66M chance to make 24 deal done by tory dandy. 44M guaranteed at signing.

Ian Rapoport, NFL Network

KHALIL MACK

Just ahead of free agency, former NFL Defensive Player of the Year Khalil Mack reached agreement today on a one-year, fully-guaranteed $18 million deal with the Los Angeles Chargers, per sources. Chargers get back their pass-rush standout.

Adam Schefter, ESPN

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RECENT BEARS!

TEVEN JENKINS

Sources: Former #Bears G Teven Jenkins is signing with the #Browns. The former second-round pick started 38 games over four seasons in Chicago.

Jordan Schultz, FOX Sports

DEANDRE CARTER

Sources: The #Browns are signing WR and return specialist DeAndre Carter to a 1-year deal. He gets nearly $800K guaranteed. The 10-year veteran spent last year in Chicago.

Jordan Schultz, FOX Sports

JACOB MARTIN

Free-agent DE Jacob Martin is signing a one-year deal with the Commanders worth up to $3 million, per source.

Adam Schefter, ESPN

JAKE CURHAN

Offensive tackle Jake Curhan headed to the #Cardinals on a one-year deal, per his agent @kenny_zuckerman

Jeremy Fowler, ESPN

BYRON COWART

The #Jets signed former Bears DT Byron Cowart, per the league transaction wire.

Rich Cimini, ESPN

KHALIL HERBERT

Another RB finds a home: Indianapolis Colts and free-agent RB Khalil Herbert reached agreement on a one-year contract. Deal negotiated by @EquitySports VP of Football Samantha Sankovich and CEO Chris Cabott.

Adam Schefter, ESPN

JACK SANBORN

Source: Free-agent linebacker Jack Sanborn plans to sign with the #Cowboys on a one-year deal. Reunited with Matt Eberflus and Dave Borgonzi, who coached him for three years in Chicago on his way to 164 tackles, 14 for loss.

Jeremy Fowler, ESPN

COLEMAN SHELTON

Bears free-agent center Coleman Shelton reached agreement on a two-year deal to return to the Rams, per source. Shelton played with the Rams from 2019-2023, before spending one season in Chicago.

Adam Schefter, ESPN

DARRYNTON EVANS

Darrynton Evans has agreed to a deal with the @BuffaloBills. Congrats, @ItzLiveee!

Priority Sports, agency

LARRY BOROM

Veteran OL Larry Borom is also signing with the #Dolphins, per source.

Tom Pelissero, NFL Network

DARRELL TAYLOR

The #Texans are signing pass-rusher Darrell Taylor, per The Insiders, as he gets a 1-year, $5.25M deal done by agent Sean Kiernan of @AthletesFirst.

Ian Rapoport, NFL Network

JUSTIN FIELDS

Sources: Justin Fields reached agreement on a two-year, $40 million deal that includes $30 million guaranteed with the Jets. Deal negotiated by David Mulugheta of Athletes First.

Adam Schefter, ESPN

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POTENTIAL TARGETS

OFFENSIVE LINE
  • Drew Dalman, C, 26 – SIGNED!
    • 2024 team: Atlanta Falcons
  • Will Fries, G, 26
    • 2024 team: Indianapolis Colts
  • Robert Hainsey, C, 26
    • 2024 team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
  • Ryan Kelly, C, 31
    • 2024 team: Indianapolis Colts
  • Coleman Shelton, C, 29
    • 2024 team: Chicago Bears
  • Dan Skipper, T, 30
    • 2024 team: Detroit Lions
  • Kevin Zeitler, G, 35
    • 2024 team: Detroit Lions
DEFENSIVE LINE
  • Jonathan Allen, DT, 30
    • 2024 team: Washington Commanders
  • Joey Bosa, EDGE, 29
    • 2024 team: Los Angeles Chargers
  • Poona Ford, DT, 29
    • 2024 team: Los Angeles Chargers
  • Javon Hargrave, DT, 32
    • 2024 team: San Francisco 49ers
  • Khalil Mack, EDGE, 34
    • 2024 team: Los Angeles Chargers
  • Dayo Odeyingbo, EDGE, 25 – SIGNED!
    • 2024 team: Indianapolis Colts
  • Za’Darius Smith, EDGE, 32
    • 2024 team: Detroit Lions
  • Josh Sweat, EDGE, 27
    • 2024 team: Philadelphia Eagles
  • Milton Williams, DT, 25
    • 2024 team: Philadelphia Eagles
WIDE RECEIVER
  • Chris Godwin, 29
    • 2024 team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
  • Mecole Hardman, 27
    • 2024 team: Kansas City Chiefs
  • Rondale Moore, 24
    • 2024 team: Atlanta Falcons
  • Tim Patrick, 31
    • 2024 team: Detroit Lions
  • Josh Reynolds, 30
    • 2024 team: Jacksonville Jaguars
  • Steven Sims Jr., 27
    • 2024 team: Baltimore Ravens
  • Robert Woods, 32
    • 2024 team: Houston Texans
  • Olamide Zaccheaus, 27
    • 2024 team: Washington Commanders

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F.A.Qs

The new league year doesn’t begin until 3 p.m. on Wednesday, March 12. Technically, free agency does not begin until the league year begins. Between Monday, March 10 at 11 a.m. and Wednesday at 3 p.m. is what the NFL refers to as the “free agent negotiating window” and what the fans and media call the “legal tampering period,” which allows teams to negotiate deals with player representatives. Teams cannot contact free agents directly, and free agents cannot visit team facilities during this period.

What is effective cap space?

Effective cap space is the portion of the team’s cap space the team can use on free agents and in trades. With rosters in flux and expanded to 90, from the start of the league year until Week 1 of the regular season, only the 51 most expensive contracts count against the team’s salary cap. Effective cap space subtracts the top-51 figure, the projected money required to sign the team’s upcoming draft class, and other variables like “dead money” from the league’s base salary cap.

The league’s base salary cap for 2025 is $279,200,000.

Per Over The Cap (my personal preference for salary cap calculation websites), the Bears have $40,094,668 in effective cap space*. Ryan Poles could opt to restructure some of the contracts already on the books to open up more space. Converting base salary into signing bonuses would allow money to become prorated over time, creating more dead cap in the future but freeing up space in the present.

* as of Mar. 9, 3 p.m.

What is “dead Money”?

Dead money is a charge on a team’s salary cap for a player who is no longer on the roster. If a player has some sort of signing bonus proration and is traded before that bonus is paid out, or if a player has guaranteed money left on his contract and is released, that money is referred to as “dead” on the cap. It still exists against the cap.

For example, if the Bears were to inexplicably cut Montez Sweat when the league year opens, Chicago would have a $33,155,883 chunk of dead money against the cap in 2025 to account for Sweat’s contractual guarantee and the remainder of his prorated bonus.

Chicago’s $4,051,895 of dead money against the 2025 cap is the fourth-lowest amount in the NFL.

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