Main Image: Bob Donnan Imagn Images

4 Free Agents the Bears Could Add After $8M Restructure Boost

Originally posted on Last Word On Sports
By Isaac Zuniga | Last updated Sep 3, 2025 6:52 PM ET

ESPN’s Field Yates reported on September 3rd that the Chicago Bears have created $8 million in added cap space by restructuring star cornerback Jaylon Johnson’s deal.

This move could be a sign that the Bears aren’t done constructing their roster, and with several question marks heading into the 2025 season, here are some free agents the team could pursue with the boost in cap room.

4 Free Agents the Bears Could Add

DE Isaiah Foskey

It was reported that former New Orleans Saints pass rusher Isaiah Foskey is expected to work out with the Bears this week. Despite being a high-round draft pick and spending two seasons with the Saints, Foskey was buried in the depth chart behind more prominent names like Cameron Jordan, Carl Granderson, and Chase Young.

With Foskey’s ties to Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, who coached him the past two seasons in New Orleans, the former 2023 second-round pick could benefit from a new change of scenery in Chicago.

Former #Saints defensive end Isaiah Foskey is expected to work out with the #Bears this week and the #Eagles next week, sources tell @CBSSports.

The former Notre Dame All-American was a second-round draft pick of the Saints in 2023. Posted 16 tackles for New Orleans last season. pic.twitter.com/vuR1ObkFQj

— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) September 2, 2025

DE Jadeveon Clowney

Former No. 1 overall pick Jadeveon Clowney has bounced around the league since playing five seasons with the Houston Texans, but the pass rusher has been a consistent headache for opposing offenses.

Last season, Clowney was ranked third among all edge rushers in run-stop win rate at 32%, trailing only Maxx Crosby and Rashan Gary. Plus, Clowney is also 13th in pass-rush win rate at 18%.

If the Bears want to add a proven pass rusher in the mix, Clowney is the one to keep an eye on.

RB Jamaal Williams

Jan 5, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Jamaal Williams (21) reacts after a play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

With the Bears’ injuries at running back, Jamaal Williams could be a low-risk, high-reward signing. Having played under Ben Johnson with the Detroit Lions, Williams enjoyed a career season with Johnson calling the shots in 2022, scoring a whopping 17 touchdowns on 262 carries for 1,066 yards. The Bears don’t need him to be the focal point of the offense like he was in 2022, but Williams still has the juice the Bears need in the backfield.

CB Stephon Gilmore

With Jaylon Johnson having his first practice of the offseason less than a week before the start of the season, the depth at cornerback is shaky with him potentially out of the picture. This is simply looking at the free agent cornerbacks and seeing who gives the Bears the best chance of winning now, and Stephon Gilmore is that guy.

Despite being 34 years old, Gilmore had a solid season with the Minnesota Vikings in 2024, racking up 56 total tackles and one interception. This won’t be a long-term investment by any means, but adding a former Defensive Player of the Year award winner would be intriguing.

This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: