Jaylon Johnson's contract extension gives the Bears cap operating space and a little more room for something else. Peter van den Berg-Imagn Images

Bears cap maneuvering could foreshadow adding help but not much

Originally posted on Chicago Bears on SI
By Gene Chamberlain | Last updated Sep 3, 2025 2:35 PM ET

It almost appears the Bears are loading up to sign help at a position or two.

They've restructured the contract of cornerback Jaylon Johnson, and although the figures are not finalized Overthecap.com reported an $8 million-plus increase in the amount of available cap space the team has, to $9.5 million. ESPN's Field Yates reported this restructuring.

Normally what happens is cash Johnson was to receive as salary during theseason is now lump sum bonus cash he receives and it is prorated against the salary cap into the future.

As a result, the Bears have more money on this cap to add a player or two.

Teams creating cap space via contract restructures:

The Falcons created $6M by restructuring WR Darnell Mooney’s deal

The Bills created just under $8M by restructuring OT Dion Dawkins’ deal

The Bears created $8M by restructuring CB Jaylon Johnson’s deal
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) September 3, 2025

Before jumping to conclusions about a particular edge rusher, running back or defensive back, realize first teams need a base sum on hand under the cap just to make sure they can get through the season in case they need to bring in players due to injuries.

However $9.5 million can be enough to do this and bring in another player.

Lots of people thinking that Bears are about to make a move because they cleared 8M in space by restructuring Jaylon’s contract.
Not necessarily so.
Bears has about 1.5M in space yesterday. They need 6-7M just to operate for the season. This money was needed for that.
To sign…
— Greg Gabriel (@ggabefootball) September 3, 2025

The obvious need is an edge rusher.

It was reported by CBS Sports that Isaiah Foskey was working out for both the Bears and Eagles this week. Foskey played for Dennis Allen in New Orleans for 27 games and didn't make a sack. The former Notre Dame player only got on the field for 167 defensive plays in two seasons, but he was a second-round draft pick in 2023.

The NFC North is the only division in football in which all four teams are currently projected to have negative effective cap space in 2026:

Packers -$1.3m
Bears -$8.4m
Lions -$44.2m
Vikings -$59m
— Mark Oldacres (@MarkOldacres) August 30, 2025

New Orleans released him during roster cutdown to 53 players in his third year, sort of putting him on the same situation defensive tackle Zacch Pickens was in with the Bears.

If they did add someone before play begins, then Thursday would be a good time for it because they're off on that day due to the game being on Monday night.

If Dayo and Braxton are your biggest complaints about this roster… I think that means the roster is looking pretty solid. Maybe that’s just me.
— pöp? (@n0t_pop) September 2, 2025

This article first appeared on Chicago Bears on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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