We’re about five weeks away from NFL Free Agency, and with the salary cap expected to jump from this year’s $279.2 million to a projected $301.2 to $305.7 million, the Chicago Bears (and the other 31 teams) will have more to play with.
The Bears didn’t have much cap wiggle room at season’s end, but there are several moves they can make to clear some space, plus with the additional $20 million they’ll get, there will be plenty of salary to go around to bolster their needs.
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Pro Football and Sports Network’s Jacob Infante — yep, our Lead Draft Analyst also covers the NFL for PFSN — recently wrote up profiles for their Top 100 2026 Free Agents, and two Bears made the list. PFSN’s model accounted for production, age, earning potential, and short- and long-term value.
60) Nahshon Wright, CB
Nobody would’ve expected that when the Vikings released Nahshon Wright from his future contract last offseason, he would become a Pro Bowler in 2025. That’s exactly what happened, though, as he had 5 interceptions and forced 8 total turnovers for the Chicago Bears in a breakout starting role.Wright was hardly consistent in 2025; he allowed 8 touchdowns in coverage, drew 8 penalties, and allowed 64.5% of his targets to be completed. That said, he uses his 6’4″ frame and long wingspan to regularly make plays on the ball. His high-end ball skills will get him a starting job somewhere in 2026.
Considering how many injuries the Bears dealt with at corner last year, I’d imagine they’d like Wright back, but I feel he’ll be priced out of their range. Coming off a Pro Bowl, he may find a long-term deal north of $10 million per season, and that’s not feasible for the Bears.
64) Braxton Jones, LT
2025 was a quiet year for Braxton Jones. He suffered a major injury at the end of 2024, forcing him to miss training camp. He started the first four games of the year for the Bears, but was benched and, soon after, suffered a season-ending knee injury. As far as ideal contract years go, that was not one of them.Sure, Jones wasn’t his usual self upon returning to play to start the season. That said, for his first three seasons in the NFL, he was a league-average starting left tackle, and those come incredibly high in demand in free agency. Chicago seems likely to let him walk, making the 26-year-old a potential buy-low option for teams in need of tackle help.
Last offseason, Jaylon Moore signed a 2-year, $30M deal with the Kansas City Chiefs after just 12 starts in four years with the San Francisco 49ers. If Jones’ medicals check out, he won’t be a free agent for long. Prior to his 2025 injuries, he had 40 starts in his first three years in the league.
The injury to Ozzy Trapilo opens the door for Jones to return to a place he’s comfortable on a one-year deal if he wants to showcase his play for a potentially bigger payday next offseason.
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My guess is the Bears make an offer, but Jones finds a bigger deal on the open market.
