Chicago Bears: Possible 2018 cuts to free up cap space

Jerrell Freeman, LB (Savings = $3.5 million)

This is the saddest story of them all. Jerrell Freeman played very well when in the game. The last two years were rough on him, however. He’s suffered through multiple injuries and multiple suspensions for PED usage. Freeman manned up and took responsibility for his action. He also admitted to having a concussion problem that may end up ending his career. In any case, with him having to finish his suspension once he’s healthy, I don’t believe the Bears keep him.

Freeman was one of the better linebackers in the league and signing with the Bears was a coup. He played well before the NFL suspended him the first time for PED usage. This season, he played in just one game before going on injured reserve. Later on, he got busted again and he made the concussion announcement.

Hopefully, Freeman can work through his health trouble. He can possibly stay in the NFL as a coach.

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So, these are just seven cuts the Chicago Bears can make to free up salary cap space. There are other players Pace may decide to cut ties with, freeing up even more space.

With these players cut, the Bears’ cap space goes from the $46.2 million they currently have to about $91.4 million. With that much money, Pace could seriously change the roster and turn things around. Pace went with deals that had early outs and now he can escape those deals without costing the team much and sign more long-term deals. I believe the short-term deals turned some free agents off, but when they see the better deals coming from Chicago, we’ll see some high-quality players as soon as next season.

At any rate, this offseason is critical for the Bears to take a big step forward. If they go through another disappointing season, then it’s Ryan Pace who’ll be on the firing squad.