Free agency has slowed considerably around the league, but there remained plenty of Chicago Bears news making the rounds on Monday.
A couple of current Bears–Cole Kmet and D’Andre Swift–cashed in over the weekend. Meanwhile, former Chicago stars Jaquan Brisker and Nahshon Wright made headlines for varying reasons.
It was all part of a newsworthy day for the organization.
Bears Duo Cashes In to Lead Offseason News Roundup
Cole Kmet, D’Andre Swift Get Good News From Bears
The Bears have not signed another outside player since reserve offensive lineman Jedrick Wills, with free agency reaching its second week.
Despite the lack of headlines, Kmet and Swift got good news.
“2 Chicago #Bears players had contract triggers vest this weekend,” Spotrac’s Michael Ginnitti posted on X on March 16, noting that Kmet “earned a $1M roster bonus” and Swift “earned a $500k roster bonus.”
Kmet, 27, is entering his seventh season with the Bears, entering the league as a second-round draft pick by the club in 2020.
Only Cairo Santos and Jaylon Johnson have been with the Bears as long as Kmet has.
Swift, who is also 27, is coming off his best of two seasons with the Bears, logging his second 1,000-yard campaign, and it was his best campaign in terms of rushing success rate, per Pro Football Reference.
Moreover, he bested his previous top mark, which he set in his first go-round with the Bears, with a career-high 1,386 yards from scrimmage.
Both players have been under the microscope for cap moves, but appear as stable as anyone.
Kmet is signed through 2027, while Swift is entering the final year of his contract. The Bears have drafted players at both positions, taking Colston Loveland 10th overall and Kyle Monangai 233rd overall in 2025.
Still, Kmet and Swift were integral to the Bears’ success last season and appear to be on track for a reprisal in 2026.
Former Bears CB Cashed In, Too
While Kmet and Swift’s paydays could suggest they are here for at least the duration of their current deals, Wright (now of the New York Jets) also drew attention for his financial windfall.
Wright led all players with a $1.4 million performance-based pay distribution.
“NFL players will receive more than $542 million in Performance-Based Pay for their performance during the 2025 season,” NFL vice president of communications and chief spokesperson Brian McCarthy posted on X on March 16. “The Performance-Based Pay program is a collectively bargained benefit that compensates all players based upon their playing time and salary levels.”
Wright, who signed a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the Jets in free agency this offseason, inked a one-year, $1.1 million pact with the Bears around the same time in 2025.
He finished second on the team with a career-best 5 interceptions, earning Pro Bowl honors, but is part of a reshaping of the Bears’ secondary. They still have their trio of intended starters from last season–Johnson, Kyler Gordon, and Tyrique Stevenson–under contract.
Jaquan Brisker Happy to Go Home
While the Bears’ cornerback room remains intact, their safety room has been remade, with Coby Bryant and, at least part-time, Cam Lewis. Brisker and Kevin Byard III, the team’s starters for the past two seasons, have signed elsewhere in free agency.
Brisker drew attention during his introductory press conference with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
A Pittsburgh native whom the Bears selected in the second round in 2022, Brisker described his emotional homecoming but also sent a strong message.
“The Standard to Pittsburgh!” Brisker posted on X on March 16, along with a welcome post from the team that included a photo of him signing his contract. “They don’t know what they just did. Time will tell.”
Like Wright, both Brisker and Byard agreed to short-term, prove-it deals.
Byard reunited with his former head coach with the Tennessee Titans, Mike Vrabel, in New England with the Patriots.
That underscores both the NFL’s view of them and the Bears’ decision to let them all go, particularly with their CB room still together and at least one safety spot filled by Bryant.