CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – DECEMBER 22: Brian Branch #32 of the Detroit Lions attempts to tackle Gerald … [+]
Ryan Poles isn’t dragging his feet as he moves toward a critical off-season for himself and the Bears. He released veterans Gerald Everett and DeMarcus Walker on Friday, almost three weeks before the start of the NFL’s new year.
The moves, coming ahead of a wave of releases in the next two weeks, raised the Bears’ salary cap space to almost $80 million, assuming the league is increasing the cap limit from the projected $275 million to as much as $281.5 million, according to a report by ESPN’s Dan Graziano.
Poles work in free agency and the ’25 draft could determine if he works with first-year head coach Ben Johnson on a long-term basis. Poles has been reported to be in the final year of the deal he signed when he became general manager, three seasons and 36 losses ago.
While he positioned the Bear to land quarterback Caleb Williams with the first overall pick in 2024, too few of his other decisions have provided lasting impact. He has been building depth through the draft while patching holes in free agency but seems set to seriously pursue a handful of top free agents, with Kansas City guard Trey Smith an obvious target.
The Bears had the sixth most cap room before cutting Everett and Walker but stood fourth entering the weekend, behind only the Patriots, Raiders and Commanders. Those two moves opened up $12.46 million in room.
Walker had been set to earn $8,666,666 in the final season of a three-year, $21 million deal but instead the Bears will pay a dead-cap hit of $666,668, per Spotrac. The 30-year-old defensive end has been solid, if not spectacular. Pro Football Focus ranked him 60th of 119 edge rushers last season, when he had 3 1/2 sacks and 25 solo tackles.
Poles is seeking to upgrade the side opposite Montez Sweat, with additions sure to come in free agency or near the top of the draft. Sweat and second-year defensive tackle Gervon Dexter led the Bears with 5 1/2 and 5 sacks, respectively. Sweat has three years left on the four-year, $98 million deal he signed after Poles acquired him from Washington.
Everett, who had been signed to a two-year, $12 million contract, never seemed to fit into the offense the Bears put together for Williams. The 30-year-old tight end was targeted only 13 times after catching 51 passes for the Chargers in 2023.
Johnson, hired after a successful run as the Lions’ offensive coordinator, often operates with multiple tight ends. The Bears seem likely to add tight ends to be used in mixes with veteran Cole Kmet, whose receptions dropped from 73 to 47 last season.
The Bears’ needs on the offensive line may have played a role in sparing Ryan Bates, who was healthy enough to play in only three games last season. He has one year left on the four-year deal he signed while with Buffalo, with a $4-million salary and no dead-cap hit if he’s released.
Poles has long been a believer in Bates. His 2024 season was ruined by an arthritic issue in a shoulder — he traveled to Panama at his own expense to receive stem cell therapy — and an ensuing concussion but his outlook for 2025 must have improved. Rebuilding the offensive line is Poles’ top priority so maybe he’s willing to give Bates a mulligan. It helps to have money to spend.
