Bears restructure highlights roster flexibility

The Chicago Bears reworked the contracts of tight end Cole Kmet and guard Jonah Jackson before the 2026 NFL Draft, opening $10.375 million in cap space. (profootballrumors.com) (spotrac.com 1) (spotrac.com 2) A restructure usually means turning salary due this year into a signing bonus and spreading that charge over future seasons. That lowers the current cap hit without cutting the player’s cash pay. (profootballrumors.com) In Kmet’s case, Spotrac lists a $7.65 million restructure bonus, a $1.25 million base salary, and a 2026 cap hit of $7.775 million. His pre-restructure 2026 cap hit had been $11.6 million. (spotrac.com 1) (spotrac.com 2) Jackson’s contract shows a $13.5 million restructure bonus, a $1.25 million base salary, and a 2026 cap hit of $12.75 million. His earlier 2026 cap hit had been $19.5 million. (spotrac.com 1) (spotrac.com 2) Those two moves matter because the Bears entered draft week with limited room under the cap despite a 2025 roster that had already added veterans like Joe Thuney, Grady Jarrett and Dayo Odeyingbo. Spotrac’s 2026 team page now shows Chicago with $11,576,653 in top-51 cap space. (spotrac.com) The tradeoff is future cost. Kmet’s dead cap now sits at $11.85 million for a pre-June 1 release in 2026, while Jackson’s pre-June 1 dead cap is listed at $32.75 million. (spotrac.com) (spotrac.com) Chicago did not announce a splash move alongside the restructures, and the timing points to draft and roster management more than a single headline signing. Teams often make these adjustments to fit rookie contracts, carry in-season flexibility, or leave room for another veteran addition. (profootballrumors.com) (spotrac.com) For now, the Bears bought themselves breathing room by pushing money forward. The cap got lighter in April 2026, and heavier later. (spotrac.com) (spotrac.com)