The Chicago Bears have begun trimming their 2025 roster as they get ready for free agency, releasing TE Gerald Everett and DE DeMarcus Walker. The two moves will save the Bears $10.75 million in both cap room and cash committed to the 2025 roster.

Everett signed a two year, $12 million contract with the Bears last March but never seemed to find a role with the team. He had his worst season as a pro, appearing in just 22% of the Bears offensive plays while catching just 8 passes for 36 yards, making him one of the worst free agent signings of 2024. His cap number for 2025 was $6.5 million which made this an easy decision. The Bears will carry a $1 million dead money charge for Everett in 2025.

Walker signed a three year, $21 million contract with the Bears during the 2023 free agent period. Walker started 29 games in his two years with the Bears and contributed 7 sacks over those two years. Walker’s cap charge for 2025 was $5.917 million which is not terribly high, but his age likely worked against him as the Bears make over the roster to be more in line with the new coaching staff. He will leave the Bears with $666,668 in dead money.

The Bears currently have just under $80 million in cap space which is 4th in the NFL. The expectation is that they will be major players in free agency as they try to surround their young QB with an upgraded roster in 2025.