The confetti has settled on another NFL season, and for the Chicago Bears, the immediate future is now defined by the ledger. The business of football takes center stage, and the 2026 offseason presents a formidable challenge for General Manager Ryan Poles and his staff. A staggering 27 players from the 2025 roster are currently scheduled to become free agents when the new league year opens, creating a tidal wave of decisions that will reshape the team's identity.
While free agency offers a chance to refresh and upgrade, it also forces difficult farewells. Not every contributor can or will be retained. According to a recent analysis from Bears Wire, several familiar faces--including core members of the defense--might have already suited up in the navy and orange for the final time. The coming weeks will be a delicate dance of salary cap management, positional value assessment, and cold, hard football calculations. Let's examine five players who, based on the current landscape, could be wearing different colors next season.
1. S Jaquan Brisker
When the Bears selected Jaquan Brisker in the second round of the 2022 draft, they envisioned a long-term, tone-setting pillar for their secondary. For stretches of his rookie deal, he delivered on that promise. Brisker plays with a palpable fury, a downhill missile against the run who has flashed impressive range in coverage. His physicality became a signature trait of the Bears' defensive identity.
However, the safety market and the Bears' long-term planning create a significant hurdle for a reunion. Brisker is poised to hit the open market at a time when teams are increasingly hesitant to allocate premium resources to the safety position unless that player is a truly transformative, All-Pro caliber talent. While a valuable starter, Brisker's profile may not command the top-of-market deal he might seek. For the Bears, the decision likely boils down to opportunity cost. Does committing significant capital to a strong safety, a position they have drafted at in recent years, represent the best use of resources when glaring needs exist on the defensive line or in the offensive trenches? The Bears Wire analysis suggests the front office could view this as a chance to get younger and potentially more cost-effective at the position, making Brisker's departure a distinct possibility.
2. CB Nahshon Wright
The Nahshon Wright experiment in Chicago has been a fascinating case study in traits versus consistency. Acquired for his rare length and athletic profile, the 6-foot-4 cornerback provided a unique look in Defensive Coordinator Dennis Allen's defense. There were moments where his size disrupted passing lanes, and he made plays on the ball, showcasing the potential that has intrigued coaches for years.
Yet, reliability in coverage has remained an elusive goal. In a league where passing attacks are more precise than ever, bouts of inconsistency can be fatal for a cornerback's tenure. With the Bears investing heavily in their secondary through the draft in recent seasons--and presumably looking to continue that trend--Wright finds himself as a veteran in a room increasingly populated by younger, cheaper options on rookie contracts. His special teams value is noted, but that alone rarely justifies a roster spot for a former high-draft-pick corner. As the Bears look to solidify their cornerback rotation behind their established starters, Wright's path to a significant role, and therefore a new contract, appears narrow. The analysis indicates he is a prime candidate to test the market and likely find a fresh start elsewhere.
3. EDGE Dominique Robinson
The story of Dominique Robinson is one of untapped potential and positional conversion. A former wide receiver turned defensive end, Robinson's athleticism was always the draw. In flashes, particularly as a rookie, he showed the bend and burst that can torment offensive tackles. The hope was that with time and coaching, those flashes would evolve into sustained production.
That evolution has been slower than hoped. While he has been a serviceable rotational piece, the sack production and consistent pressure that define elite edge rushers haven't materialized at the expected rate. The Bears' pass rush, despite improvements under Defensive Coordinator Dennis Allen, remains an area targeted for upgrade. Entering a contract year, Robinson is at a crossroads. The team must decide if his ceiling is worth further investment or if roster resources and snaps are better allocated to a new draft pick or a more proven free agent pass rusher. Given the critical importance of pressuring the quarterback, the Bears may feel compelled to seek a more definitive answer off the edge, leaving Robinson's future with the team in serious doubt.
4. LB Jack Sanborn
Few players have embodied the "Chicago Bear" ethos more than Jack Sanborn. The undrafted free agent out of Wisconsin fought his way onto the roster and into the hearts of fans through sheer will, intelligence, and relentless effort. He emerged as a starting-caliber linebacker, a sure tackler who was always around the football. His story is the kind of narrative franchises love.
But the NFL is a ruthless meritocracy. While Sanborn's instincts and leadership are invaluable, the league's direction toward ultra-athletic, sideline-to-sideline linebackers who excel in coverage presents a challenge. The Bears have invested in more dynamic athletes at the position through the draft, signaling a potential shift in the prototype they desire next to their middle linebacker. Sanborn's role has already seen fluctuation. His value on special teams is immense, and that could be the key to a potential return on a modest deal. However, if he seeks a clearer path to defensive snaps or a larger role, he may find that opportunity is greater elsewhere. The Bears Wire speculation points to a scenario where both sides amicably part ways, allowing Sanborn to chase a starting job while the Bears continue their athletic overhaul at the second level.
5. WR Dante Pettis
The wide receiver room in Chicago has undergone a dramatic transformation, becoming a position of depth and young talent. Dante Pettis, a veteran who has had moments of connection as a reliable backup and punt returner, now finds himself buried on the depth chart. His tenure with the Bears has been defined by specific, situational utility rather than every-down offensive importance.
With the Bears likely to continue developing their young core of pass-catchers and potentially adding more competition through the draft, the need for a veteran like Pettis diminishes. His primary value in recent seasons came as a steadying presence and a fallback option in the return game. As the team looks to get faster and more dynamic across the board, those roles can often be filled by younger, more versatile players on cost-controlled contracts. Pettis's football intelligence is respected, but in a numbers game at a crowded position, his spot on the 2026 roster seems the most precarious of all. It would be a surprise, based on the current trajectory, to see him re-signed.
The Big Picture for the Bears
The potential departure of these five players underscores a critical offseason theme for Chicago: evolution. This isn't merely about losing talent; it's about strategically reshaping the roster to match a evolving schematic identity and financial reality. Letting a player like Brisker walk would be a tough emotional decision, but it could free up capital to fortify the defensive front. Moving on from project players like Wright or Robinson creates roster space and snaps for new draft capital.
The Bears have built a promising young foundation, particularly on offense. The 2026 offseason is about making the tough, calculated choices that elevate that foundation from promising to perennial contender. It means identifying which veterans are core to the next championship push and which are part of the bridge that got them here. The analysis from Bears Wire highlights several players who may fall into the latter category.
As free agency approaches, Ryan Poles has the cap flexibility and draft capital to be a major player. But with that power comes the responsibility to be ruthless in pursuit of a championship standard. The days ahead will be filled with negotiations, projections, and ultimately, goodbyes. For these five Bears, their last game at Soldier Field may already be in the books, their contributions remembered as the franchise turns the page to its next chapter.