Bears free agency tracker, instant reactions

The NFL’s new league year has begun. Free agency has officially commenced. Stay up to date with every move related to the Chicago Bears.

TRANSACTION TRACKER

LAST UPDATED: Mar. 12 – 6:20 p.m.

Bears acquisitions | Headed elsewhere | Targets | F.A.Qs

Acquisitions & reactions

Effective Cap Space: $2,132,621*

*does not include Devin Bush, Elijah Hicks, Kentavius Street and Jedrick Wills Jr. signings.

JORDAN McFADDEN
Offensive guard

• [Mar. 12 – 8:19 a.m.] JORDAN McFADDEN is signing a one-year deal with the BEARS.

Patrick Norton: McFadden played just two offensive snaps in the regular season after the Bears unsuccessfully shopped the guard last August. Then he picked up the spot start at left guard with Joe Thuney shifted over to left tackle in the NFC Divisional Round. McFadden is solid depth on the roster.

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JEDRICK WILLS JR.
Offensive tackle

• [Mar. 11 – 3:34 p.m.] JEDRICK WILLS JR. is signing a one-year deal with the BEARS.

Patrick Norton: Wills is a reclamation project who spent the first five years of his NFL career in Cleveland after being selected No. 10 overall in the 2020 draft. He did not play in 2025 but projects to join Braxton Jones, Kiran Amegadjie and Theo Benedet in the competition for the starting left tackle position.

Adam Jahns: I think it’s simple: the Bears wanted and then added more competition to their left-tackle mix. Wills, 26, was the 10th pick in 2020 for the Cleveland Browns. But he hasn’t started every game in a season since 2022.

Mark Carman: Jedrick Wills Jr., come on down! You’re the next contestant in the Bears’ left tackle competition. Wills will be getting himself reoriented to football after sitting out last season with a knee injury, but hey, he was a first-round pick back in 2020. You have to go back to 2022 for the last time he played a full season. I’d hold off on buying a Wills Jr. jersey for the time being.

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ELIJAH HICKS
Safety

• [Mar. 11 – 1:22 p.m.] ELIJAH HICKS is signing a one-year deal with the BEARS.

Adam Jahns: With Kevin Byard III leaving for the Patriots, the Bears needed to act. Hicks is a capable reserve with experience. He’s also needed back on special teams.

Patrick Norton: The Bears entered the offseason without any safeties on the roster. Then they signed Coby Bryant from the Seahawks when the free agent negotiating window opened on Monday and lost Kevin Byard III to the Patriots on Wednesday. It’s not surprising to see Hicks back in Chicago based on the need for depth alone.

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KENTAVIUS STREET
Defensive end

• [Mar. 10 – 5:34 p.m.] KENTAVIUS STREET is signing with the BEARS.

Patrick Norton: Street isn’t an explosive, needle-moving signing, but he brings valuable depth after seven seasons with four teams. In the last 2 1/2 seasons in Atlanta, Street collected four sacks over 676 defensive snaps all around the defensive line. He also played 82 special teams snaps. I’d still expect the Bears to target a starting-caliber player at defensive end in the draft.

Mark Carman: Kentavius Street once had 3.5 sacks in a season. That was 2022 with the New Orleans Saints. This feels like the Dominique Robinson replacement. The Bears need to aim higher at some point, likely in the draft.

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CAM LEWIS
Cornerback

• [Mar. 10 – 3:48 p.m.] CAM LEWIS is signing a two-year deal with the BEARS.

Adam Jahns: The Bears need some depth behind Kyler Gordon – and now they got it in Lewis. He spent the past six seasons with the Bills, making only one interception. But he was also a staple on Buffalo’s special teams, playing 51, 57 and 75 percent of their snaps.

Mark Carman: Cam Lewis as a depth piece does not move the needle. Giving up on Nahshon Wright when he signed for only one year and $5.5 million with the Jets is surprising. The Bears must feel confident in Jaylon Johnson’s health.

Patrick Norton: You’re only as good as your special teams unit. That’s a saying, right? Lewis adds another veteran’s presence to Richard Hightower’s group while providing some depth at corner. I’d imagine this is more so to replace Nick McCloud than Nahshon Wright.

Adam Hoge: This feels like the C.J. Gardner-Johnson replacement to me, with the added bonus of special teams ability. In 2025, Lewis played 145 snaps in the slot for the Bills, 170 at box safety and 99 at free safety, filling in at all three spots. He’s also a four-phase special teamer contributing on kickoff cover/return and punt cover/return.

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KALIF RAYMOND
Wide receiver

• [Mar. 10 – 11:07 a.m.] KALIF RAYMOND is signing a one-year, $3 million deal worth up to $3.5 million with the BEARS.

Adam Hoge: Love this pickup for the Bears. Raymond is an All-Pro punt returner who has the extra gear to get all the way to the end zone. As good as Devin Duvernay was for the Bears, he lacked the touchdowns. Raymond also returns kicks and can give the Bears somewhere between 20 and 40 catches on offense, depending on his usage. He’ll help replace Olamide Zaacheaus both on and off the field, and was with Ben Johnson and Antwaan Randle El in Detroit. With the Bears in a little bit of a roster crunch, Raymond is a 2-for-1, helping replace both Duvernay and OZ.

Adam Jahns: A move at receiver was necessary after the departures of DJ Moore and Olamide Zaccheaus. But what makes this move even better is that Raymond should improve the Bears’ return game, too.

Patrick Norton: After trading DJ Moore to the Buffalo Bills and losing Olamide Zaccheaus to the Atlanta Falcons on the first day of the free agent negotiating window, the Bears adding Raymond makes perfect sense. Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III are due for increased roles in 2026 and Jahdae Walker could be in line for a heavier workload, too. Raymond, 31, fits in more as a return specialist and extra receiver, likely replacing Devin Duvernay’s spot from last year’s team.

Greg Braggs Jr: I’m definitely a fan of the signing. He fills needs at both wide receiver and punt returner, with three return touchdowns in the last four years. Seems like the end of the Devin Duvernay era here in Chicago. But ultimately, Raymond’s a guy who is an easy plug-and-play WR4 option with extended experience with Ben Johnson and Antwaan Randle El in Detroit. Dependable. I think it’s clear the Bears have a lot of belief in Jahdae Walker. And I believe he can easily fill the void of what they’re losing from Olamide Zaccheaus.

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BRAXTON JONES
Offensive tackle

• [Mar. 9 – 5:57 p.m.] BRAXTON JONES is signing a one-year, $5 million deal worth up to $10 million with the BEARS.

Patrick Norton: Jones, 26, picks himself up a nice little raise to stay with the Bears, who expect to be without Ozzy Trapilo (patellar) for most – if not all – of 2026. Jones will compete for the starting left tackle role with Theo Benedet and Kiran Amegadjie, a competition Jones won after a lengthy training camp battle last year.

Adam Hoge: The specifics on this contract will be interesting. Five million dollars for a serviceable left tackle isn’t bad and playing time incentives could help the situation. It looks like the Bears are going to run back last year’s left tackle competition with Jones, Theo Benedet and Kiran Amegadjie (minus Ozzy Trapilo).

Greg Braggs Jr: I’ve made it no secret the last few years that I’m not a big fan of Braxton Jones’ play. His anchor issues have always been the same, and then you combine that with his injury issues, I’m honestly surprised this was the LT stopgap solution until they figure out how Ozzy Trapilo recovers. Or maybe they draft a left tackle in the first round? But I doubt it.

That being said, I understand the logic even if I don’t love the player. As I’ve said many times over the last week, “Ben Johnson can do whatever the f–k he wants on offense.” He’s earned my trust.

Mark Carman: Bringing back Braxton Jones means the Bears are not giving up on either Theo Benedet or Ozzy Trapilo. It also speaks to how Jones handled his business after being demoted last year. A healthy training camp competition, part two, is on the way. Perhaps even Kiran Amegadjie has a puncher’s chance. This is not a move that will excite many Bears fans, but it makes sense so the Bears can figure out what they have with the health of Trapilo by season’s end and whether they need to spend real money on a left tackle next offseason. My early money is on Benedet to win the job.

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CASE KEENUM
Quarterback

• [Mar. 9 – 3:08 p.m.] CASE KEENUM is signing a two-year, $5.5 million deal worth up to $8 million with the BEARS.

Patrick Norton: That’s a $500,000 raise annually for a third-string quarterback. Makes you wonder if this might mean something for backup quarterback Tyson Bagent’s future with the Bears. Keenum’s been a big influence for Caleb Williams in the locker room but it’s tough to ignore what this could mean for the quarterbacks room.

Adam Jahns: The first thing I thought of was what’s next for Tyson Bagent. The QB market is still shaking out across the league. Will some team need Bagent? Can the Bears get a Day 2 pick? Keenum played an essential role in Caleb Williams’ development last season. But he’s also insurance if the Bears get an offer they can’t refuse for Bagent.

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DEVIN BUSH
Linebacker

• [Mar. 9 – 1:37 p.m.] DEVIN BUSH is signing a three-year, $30 million deal ($21 million guaranteed) with the BEARS.

Adam Jahns: Speed is what the Bears wanted and speed is what the Bears got in Bush. He ran the 40 in 4.43 seconds at the scouting combine in 2019. That was a long time ago. But he’s coming off the best season. of his career. Bush set new highs with 125 tackles and three interceptions – including two pick-sixes – for the Browns in 2025.

Patrick Norton: Ryan Poles said at the NFL Combine that a big goal this offseason was to “improve our defensive speed overall.” Bush, 27, does that. It’s also notable that the first three of the Bears’ signings are on the defensive side of the ball. Lots of gaps to fill still but these deals are more than just improving in the margins.

Adam Hoge: Devin Bush is actually only two months younger than Tremaine Edmunds, but he has fewer miles on him and is significantly faster. He’s also cheaper than what the Bears would have had to pay Edmunds in 2026. Signing Bush should allow T.J. Edwards to stay at MIKE with the green dot with D’Marco Jackson at SAM. Don’t be surprised if Ruben Hyppolite II still gets the chance to push Jackson at the SAM linebacker position. The Bears have not given up on him.

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COBY BRYANT
Safety

• [Mar. 9 – 12:22 p.m.] COBY BRYANT is signing a three-year, $40 million deal with the BEARS.

Patrick Norton: Is this a replacement for Kevin Byard III? For Jaquan Brisker? Both? Regardless of the plan for 2026, Bryant, 26, is a young player with decent ball-hawking skills, intercepting four passes for the Seahawks last season. It’s a big-time investment and the Bears’ first big splash of free agency but certainly at a position of need.

Adam Jahns: We’ll learn soon enough if Bryant’s arrival means the end of Kevin Byard’s time in Chicago. But Bryant is a young, ascending player who entered the league as a cornerback. Bryant’s career took off in 2024 after a full shift to safety under coach Mike McDonald. Bryant, a fourth-round pick in 2022, made seven interceptions over the past two seasons. Adding a player who just won a Super Bowl helps, too.

Adam Hoge: Coby Bryant brings speed and a knack for finding the football to the Bears. That’s exactly what secondary coach Al Harris is looking for in the secondary. The scheme difference will be interesting as Dennis Allen plays more man, but Bryant is versatile and will have a Super Bowl ring to show off in the locker room.

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NEVILLE GALLIMORE
Defensive tackle

• [Mar. 9 – 11:51 a.m.] NEVILLE GALLIMORE is signing a two-year, $12 million deal with the BEARS.

Adam Jahns: The expectation is that Gallimore will improve the interior of the Bears’ defensive line, particularly their pass rush. The Bears still have Grady Jarrett under contract. But Gallimore set career highs with 3 1/2 sacks, six QB hits and 38 tackles last season for the Colts. It also included a career-high eight starts in 17 games.

Patrick Norton: Gallimore is stronger in the pass rush than you might think. He picked up 3.5 sacks on a revamped Colts defensive line last season. And he bolsters a lackluster run defense for the Bears that allowed the sixth most rushing yards in the league a year ago (2,287).

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D’MARCO JACKSON
Linebacker

• [Mar. 9 – 6:38 a.m.] D’MARCO JACKSON re-signs with BEARS on two-year contract worth $7.5 million (up to $10 million).

Adam Hoge: The Bears view D’Marco Jackson as a key depth piece who can spot-start at linebacker and play well on special teams. I’m not sure they view him as a 17-game starter at linebacker, though, so the team probably isn’t done at the position. Jackson brings the speed the Bears need on defense, so locking him in before he hit the open market was a positive development.

Patrick Norton: When given a chance to start due to injuries within the linebacking corps last season, Jackson earned himself NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors for his efforts against the Browns. Linebacker isn’t priority No. 1 this offseason but after releasing Tremaine Edmunds to create some salary-cap savings, re-signing Jackson is a solid first step at building the room back up.

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DANIEL HARDY
Defensive end

• [Mar. 8 – 5:58 p.m.] DANIEL HARDY re-signs with BEARS on two-year contract worth up to $6 million.

Patrick Norton: Daniel Hardy, 27, gets a much-earned raise, and the Bears lock up a core special-teamer who appeared in 77.9 percent of their special teams snaps and showcased his versatility not only on defense but also on offense last year. Seems like a win-win.

Adam Hoge: Re-signing Daniel Hardy was an underrated priority for the Bears, who knew he’d have an outside market. Hardy finished the 2025 season ranked sixth in special teams tackles (20), but that was by far the most for a defensive lineman. The next closest defensive lineman had 12. His cover ability is rare for his size, and he also showed the ability to play SAM linebacker in Dennis Allen’s scheme, adding to his versatility.

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GARRETT BRADBURY
Center

• [Mar. 6 – 5:07 p.m.] GARRETT BRADBURY acquired via trade from New England Patriots.

Bears receive: Garrett Bradbury

Patriots receive: 2027 fifth-round pick

Adam Jahns: By agreeing to trade for Bradbury, the Bears know now they have a center who is capable of filling the void left by Drew Dalman. They won’t leave free agency empty-ended and in a panic. Bradbury is smart, experienced and durable. He just played a role in the development of quarterback Drake Maye, too.

Patrick Norton: Bradbury will count for $5.7 million against the cap in 2026, and while he might not bring the same level of play as Drew Dalman, the extra few million the Bears will save against the cap can go a long way in making some critical additions along the defensive line or to the currently non-existent safeties group.

Mark Carman: Garrett Bradbury, come on down. Feels like a reasonable play by the Bears, who, suddenly and seemingly, have all the needs. Ben Johnson knows him well and Bradbury knows the division well. Bradbury also knows what it is like to partner with a young quarterback and get to the Super Bowl in one year’s time. That works.

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2025 Bears headed elsewhere

JAQUAN BRISKER
Safety

• [Mar. 12 – 6:10 p.m.] JAQUAN BRISKER is signing a one-year, $5.5 million deal with the PITTSBURGH STEELERS.

Patrick Norton: I thought there was a chance Brisker would return after Kevin Byard III signed with the New England Patriots. Alas, it looks like the Bears will have to add to their safety corps in the draft.

Adam Jahns: This felt inevitable. The Bears expressed an interest in bringing back Kevin Byard III. But the same indications were never there for Brisker. I’d argue that Brisker’s best game as a Bear was his last one – the divisional round playoff game against the Rams. His concussion history was always going to be a factor for him in free agency.

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C.J. GARDNER-JOHNSON
Cornerback

• [Mar. 12 – 5:35 p.m.] C.J. GARDNER-JOHNSON is signing a one-year, $6 million deal with the BUFFALO BILLS.

Patrick Norton: Gardner-Johnson was about as good a midseason signing as the Bears could’ve wanted. He played plenty of nickel with Kyler Gordon sidelined throughout the year and gave Dennis Allen plenty of looks in a dime package when Gordon returned. But $6 million is a lot for a fringe starter and the Bears already replaced Gardner-Johnson’s role with Cam Lewis.

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DURHAM SMYTHE
Tight end

• [Mar. 11 – 2:14 p.m.] DURHAM SMYTHE is signing with the BALTIMORE RAVENS.

Patrick Norton: Smythe saw more playing time than you might expect from a third tight end. But he was a valuable blocker with a past relationship with Ben Johnson. I could’ve seen Smythe returning to the Bears but I’m not surprised to see him follow Declan Doyle to Baltimore either.

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KEVIN BYARD III
Safety

• [Mar. 11 – 1:37 p.m.] KEVIN BYARD III is signing a one-year, $9 million deal with the NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS.

Adam Jahns: I would have brought Byard back for that deal. And maybe, the Bears did try something similar. He showed throughout last season that he’s still one of the best safeties in the NFL. Should the Bears be concerned about Byard’s age? Sure. But Byard didn’t miss one game for the Bears and hasn’t missed many in his long career. Byard’s relationship with Patriots coach Mike Vrabel might have been a factor here.

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CHRIS WILLIAMS
Defensive tackle

• [Mar. 11 – 1:32 p.m.] CHRIS WILLIAMS is signing a one-year, $2 million contract with the ATLANTA FALCONS.

Patrick Norton: It felt like Williams was replaced on the roster when the Bears signed Kentavius Street on Tuesday night. Williams had the best year of his four-year career in 2024, appearing in all 17 games for the Bears and picking up three sacks. But his usage dwindled throughout 2025, playing only 219 defensive snaps for Dennis Allen.

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NAHSHON WRIGHT
Cornerback

• [Mar. 10 – 2:49 p.m.] NAHSHON WRIGHT is signing a one-year deal worth up to $5.5 million with the NEW YORK JETS.

Adam Jahns: Wright was a great story for the Bears. He exceeded all expectations by making some of the Bears’ most memorable plays during an unforgettable 2025 season. But it’s not surprising that Wright will be playing elsewhere in 2026. The Bears’ depth chart at cornerback, though, needs some work. Is Tyrique Stevenson finally going to be a full-time starter? Will Jaylon Johnson stay healthy? What are realistic expectations for Zah Frazier and Terell Smith?

TREMAINE EDMUNDS
Linebacker

• [Mar. 9 – 2:14 p.m.] TREMAINE EDMUNDS is signing a three-year, $36 million deal with the NEW YORK GIANTS.

Adam Hoge: If the Giants are paying Edmunds this much, why didn’t they just trade a late-round draft pick to the Bears to have him for one-year and $15 million? This contract is a little surprising for a good but aging linebacker. I’d rather have Devin Bush for cheaper.

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DOMINIQUE ROBINSON
Defensive end

• [Mar. 9 – 2:04 p.m.] DOMINIQUE ROBINSON is signing a one-year deal with the HOUSTON TEXANS.

Adam Jahns: The Bears drafted Robinson as a project in the fifth round in 2022. He never became a consistent pass rusher but developed into a solid rotational lineman who was stout against the run. That should remain true on his next stop.

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OLAMIDE ZACCHEAUS
Wide receiver

• [Mar. 9 – 11:05 a.m.] OLAMIDE ZACCHEAUS is signing with the ATLANTA FALCONS.

Adam Hoge: OZ was a solid player who could play every wide receiver position in Ben Johnson’s offense, and he came up with some big catches, including a diving touchdown along the sideline against the Packers. But Zaccheaus also dealt with drops at times and slowly lost snaps to Luther Burden. Jahdae Walker is also a young player who will benefit as the Bears go younger at receiver.

Patrick Norton: Zaccheaus actually had a little resurgence toward the end of the season as the Bears managed several injuries in the receivers room. But Luther Burden’s emergence as a top-notch target for Caleb Williams made Zaccheaus expendable coming into the offseason. I’d still expect the Bears to add to the room a bit, both in free agency and in the draft.

Adam Jahns: It’s not surprising that the Bears are moving on from Zaccheaus. His success in training camp didn’t carry over into the regular season. There were more drops than memorable moments. Luther Burden III also emerged as a threat as the weeks added up.

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Targets headed elsewhere

TUTU ATWELL
Wide receiver

• [Mar. 12 – 3:16 p.m.] TUTU ATWELL is signing a one-year deal with the MIAMI DOLPHINS.

Dolphins are signing former Rams free-agent wide receiver Tutu Atwell to a one-year deal, per source. Atwell is from Miami and now returns home.

Adam Schefter, ESPN

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TREY HENDRICKSON
Edge

• [Mar. 11 – 7:58 a.m.] TREY HENDRICKSON is signing a four-year, $112 million contract with the BALTIMORE RAVENS.

Ravens and Trey Hendrickson reached agreement on a four-year, $112 million contract. Hendrickson stays in the AFC North, and now will be facing Joe Burrow and the Bengals twice a season

Adam Schefter, ESPN

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REED BLANKENSHIP
Safety

• [Mar. 9 – 5:45 p.m.] REED BLANKENSHIP is signing a three-year deal with the HOUSTON TEXANS.

Former Eagles S Reed Blakenship is signing with the Houston Texans on a three-year, $24.75 million deal, per Kyle McCarthy at Athletes First.

Adam Schefter, ESPN

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ROY LOPEZ
Defensive tackle

• [Mar. 9 – 5:42 p.m.] ROY LOPEZ is signing a two-year deal with the ARIZONA CARDINALS.

The #AZCardinals are signing #Lions FA DT Roy Lopez to a 2-year, $11.5M deal with $7M guaranteed, per me and
@TomPelissero. Deal done by Zeke Sandhu of @KlutchSports.

Ian Rapoport, NFL Network

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NAKOBE DEAN
Linebacker

• [Mar. 9 – 5:00 p.m.] NAKOBE DEAN is signing a three-year deal with the LAS VEGAS RAIDERS.

Congrats @NakobeDean agreeing to a 3 year deal with @Raiders

Mike McCartney, Vayner Sports (agency)

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ALONTAE TAYLOR
Cornerback

• [Mar. 9 – 2:28 p.m.] ALONTAE TAYLOR is signing a three-year, $42 million deal worth up to $60 million with the TENNESSEE TITANS.

Titans reached agreement with former Saints CB Alontae Taylor, per source.

Adam Schefter, ESPN

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JOSH JOBE
Cornerback

• [Mar. 9 – 2:28 p.m.] JOSH JOBE is signing a three-year, $24 million deal with the SEATTLE SEAHAWKS.

Corner Josh Jobe back to Seattle for three years and $24M, per source.

Jeremy Fowler, ESPN

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ALEX ANZALONE
Linebacker

• [Mar. 9 – 12:14 p.m.] ALEX ANZALONE is signing a two-year deal with the TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS.

Source: Former Lions LB Alex Anzalone is signing a two-year, $17 million deal with the Buccaneers.

Adam Schefter, ESPN

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JAELAN PHILLIPS
Edge

• [Mar. 9 – 11:41 a.m.] JAELAN PHILLIPS is signing a four-year, $120 million deal with the CAROLINA PANTHERS.

The #Panthers are signing #Eagles edge Jaelan Phillips, who gets a 4-year, $120M deal. Big time edge help.

Ian Rapoport, NFL Network

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Possible targets

DEFENSIVE LINE

• A.J. Epenesa, 27, Edge
2025: 16 games, 2.5 sacks, 2 interceptions

• Cameron Jordan, 36, Edge
2025: 17 games, 10.5 sacks, 15 QB hits

OFFENSIVE LINE

• Taylor Decker, 32, T
2025: 894 snaps, 5 penalties, 2 sacks allowed, 33 pressures allowed

UPDATE [Mar. 9 – 3:58 p.m.]: The DETROIT LIONS officially released TAYLOR DECKER.

Lions have released T Taylor Decker.

Detroit Lions via X

• Cornelius Lucas, 34, T
2025: 293 snaps, 4 penalties, 3 sacks allowed, 29 pressures allowed

• Dillon Radunz, 27, IOL
2025: 699 snaps, 8 penalties, 1 sack allowed, 23 pressures allowed

Defensive Back

• Jaquan Brisker, 26, S
2025: 17 games, 1 interception, 1 sack

WIDE RECEIVER

• Jalen Tolbert, 27
2025: 13 games, 18 receptions, 203 receiving yards, 2 touchdowns

BEARS TRANSACTIONS

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F.A.Qs

What is the legal tampering period?

The new league year doesn’t begin until 3 p.m. on Wednesday, March 11. Officially, free agency does not begin until the league year begins. Between Monday, March 9, at 11 a.m. and Wednesday at 3 p.m. is what the NFL refers to as the “free agent negotiating window” and what is widely referred to as the “legal tampering period,” which allows teams to negotiate deals with player representatives.

Prior to 2026, teams could not contact free agents directly, and free agents could not visit team facilities during this period. Following a rule change in 2025, teams are now permitted to make five calls (video or audio) lasting up to one hour directly with a player (with an agent present) during the negotiating window.

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 $301,200,000.

Per salary-cap tracking site Over The Cap, the Bears have $21,892,567 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 Sun. Mar. 8, 4 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.

Bears dead money: $19,355,493