The Chicago Bears caused a stir with their moves to create cap space by way of contract restructures for Joe Thuney, Dayo Odeyingbo, and T.J. Edwards. However, the Bears also parted ways with a speedy wide receiver.
Both sets of transactions were necessary.
Additionally, Bears general manager Ryan Poles drew attention on Friday, looking for the next great find.
Bears Create Cap Space to Lead News Roundup
Bears’ Cap Space With Roster News
“The Bears have restructured the contracts of G Joe Thuney, DE Dayo Odeyingbo and LB TJ Edwards,” ESPN’s Field Yate reported on X on September 4, noting the moves ended up “creating ~$17M in 2026 salary cap space.”
Again, the moves were necessary.
“During the offseason only the top 51 active players and other bonuses count on the salary cap for the active 90 man roster. When next week rolls around every player on the roster will count against the salary cap,” Over The Cap’s Jason Fitzgerald wrote on September 4.
“The Bears look to be about $12 million over and will need to complete some restructures before next week.”
Bears Cut Ties With Ray-Ray McCloud
“The Bears have released veteran WR Ray-Ray McCloud with an injury settlement,” The Chicago Tribune’s Sean Hammond reported on X on September 4.
McCloud joined the Bears on August 10 amid injuries at wide receiver.
He was initially cut during their trim down to 53 players for the regular season, waived with an injury designation. Since he cleared waivers, he reverted to the Bears’ injured reserve, and now is free to sign with whatever team he pleases.
If McCloud and the Bears want to reunite at some point, it must be after whatever length of time his settlement was for plus an additional three weeks.
Ryan Poles Gets Boots on the Ground
Poles was spotted in California ahead of the Miami-Stanford game, with NBC Sports’ Bonta Hill posting a picture of the Bears’ exec pregame.
Among the top prospects, and not necessarily on the Bears’ radar were Heisman Trophy candidate Malachi Toney (who is not draft-eligible until 2028) and new quarterback Darian Mensah.
Per NBC Sports’ Philadelphia, the Bears are one of a handful of teams that will have multiple representatives in person for the Ohio State Buckeyes’ tilt against Ball State.
Like Miami, the heavy focus will be on Ohio State and prospects like Jeremiah Smith.
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