The 2026 NFL season has reached the halfway point for the Chicago Bears, who are sitting at 7-2 through the first nine weeks. They're currently on a bye week, which comes at a good time to allow some key injured players to heal up ahead of a tough slate for the duration.
It's too early to look ahead to the 2027 season, but there are some concerns when it comes to the salary cap. The Bears are currently $23.63 million over the salary cap for 2027, where general manager Ryan Poles needs to free up cap space -- be it through cuts, trades or restructures -- while also adding some new faces and potentially re-signing some in-house free agents.
Chicago has 22 players scheduled to become free agents in 2027 according to Over The Cap, including some key
starters and contributors. Here’s a quick look at those players:
Bears 2027 free agents
- OL Braxton Jones (UFA)
- OL Garrett Bradbury (UFA)
- WR Kalif Raymond (UFA)
- CB Tyrique Stevenson (UFA)
- S Elijah Hicks (UFA)
- CB Josh Blackwell (UFA)
- CB Clark Phillips III (UFA)
- LB Noah Sewell (UFA)
- DL Kentavius Street (UFA)
- DL James Lynch (UFA)
- OL Jordan McFadden (UFA)
- LB Jack Sanborn (UFA)
- LS Scott Daly (UFA)
- RB Roschon Johnson (UFA)
- TE Stephen Carlson (UFA)
- LB Tony Fields II (UFA)
- RB Brittain Brown (RFA)
- CB Dallis Flowers (RFA)
- LB Nephi Sewell (RFA)
- OL Theo Benedet (ERFA)
- RB Zavier Scott (ERFA)
- TE Nikola Kalinic (ERFA)
When is NFL free agency 2027?
The NFL's new league year begins Thursday, March 11, 2027, where free agent signings become official. But the negotiation period, where deals are made for free agents, begins Tuesday, March 9, 2027.
Which Bears could earn contract extensions?
The biggest name who's slated to earn a contract extension next offseason is quarterback Caleb Williams, who's established himself as the team's franchise quarterback in three seasons. Other players from that 2024 draft class eligible for extensions include wide receiver Rome Odunze, defensive end Austin Booker and punter Tory Taylor.
But when looking at free agents for next offseason, there are few who could be brought back in 2027, including wide receiver Kalif Raymond, who's been one of the more consistent players on offense. Some notable names that could be looking for a new home next offseason include cornerback Tyrique Stevenson, left tackle Theo Benedet, center Garrett Bradbury and left tackle Braxton Jones.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 22 Bears players slated to become free agents in 2027
