The Chicago Bears have significant needs along their defensive line and little cap space to devote to finding more help during the 2026 NFL offseason, but the Denver Broncos might yet open the door for them to an affordable pass rusher.
While the Bears had a resurgent season in 2025, they also struggled to consistently and effectively rush the passer despite high-level investments in various defensive linemen. Chicago finished tied for 22nd in total sacks (35) and finished with the second-worst pass block win rate (29%) in the league as a team, according to ESPN Analytics.
With cap space tight, though, the Bears are limited on how much they can invest, which Bleacher Report’s Alex Kay predicted will lead them to veteran John Franklin-Myers.
“If Chicago wants to build on that and remain a contender going forward, it must bolster the defensive front with talents such as Franklin-Myers,” Kay wrote Tuesday. “At 6’4”, 288 pounds, he can line up at both the defensive end and defensive tackle spots. That versatility, coupled with an unstoppable motor, allows him to thrive in whatever role he’s tasked with on a game-to-game or even play-by-play basis.
“Although the 29-year-old isn’t the youngest free agent, he still has plenty of tread left on his tires and shouldn’t have any issues continuing to contribute at a high level for the duration of the type of long-term deal he’s expected to sign this offseason.”
Bears Can Likely Afford to Sign John Franklin-Myers
The Bears have a few things holding them back from making wholesale changes to their defensive line during the 2026 offseason, starting with the cap space at their disposal.
According to Over the Cap, the Bears must clear nearly $18 million in cap space before the start of the new 2026 league year on March 11 just to get their books into the black. They will need closer to $22 million in space to sign their draft picks and afford other essential expenses, and that’s before they even attempt to sign or re-sign free agents.
Defensive linemen are also scheduled to account for three of the Bears’ top seven cap hits for the 2026 season, including Montez Sweat ($25.08 million), Dayo Odeyingbo ($15.5 million) and Grady Jarrett ($14.25 million). None of them is cutable, either
Fortunately, Franklin-Myers — who has tallied 14.5 sacks and 92 pressures in the past two seasons for the Broncos — could fit their budget. Spotrac projects he will make $7.9 million annually on his next contract, coming off a two-year, $15 million deal in Denver.
Even if he winds up costing a bit more, the Bears could realistically afford something in the range of $18 million over two seasons if they feel he could provide a quality boost.
Strong Class Could Make Bears Wait Until 2026 Draft
While Franklin-Myer could work as an option for the Bears in free agency, chances are much stronger they will wait until the 2026 NFL draft to make their D-line investments.
The Bears cannot afford to sign any free-agent defensive ends to big-money contracts unless they do something drastic, such as finding a trade partner for Sweat. Analysts are already buzzing about the strength of the defensive line position in the 2026 draft class, though, which is good news for Chicago with its No. 25 overall pick in the first round.
Several mock drafts have penciled in defensive linemen for the Bears in the first round, though the analysts remain split on whether they will add an edge or interior linemen. Clemson’s T.J. Parker and Texas A&M’s Cashius Howell are popular edge options, while Ohio State’s Kayden McDonald and Florida’s Caleb Banks dominate tackle projections.
Given the strength of the class, though, there is no reason to think the Bears could not find potential Day 1 starters in the second and third rounds at either DL position. And with options like that, who needs to make a big splash in more risky free-agent vets?
Bears Predicted to Pursue $15 Million Broncos DE in Free Agency