Gary, under contract through 2027, reportedly faces a potential release due to limited Packers cap room and a recent trend of rotating edge-game players. Gagnon notes that while Gary posted back-to-back 7.5-sack seasons, Green Bay might prefer to shift more snaps to Kingsley Enagbare and Lukas Van Ness and restructure Gary’s deal or move on.
If Gary becomes available, Chicago would be a logical landing spot given its need at defensive end and the opportunity to add a productive edge rusher without triggering compensatory picks. The Bears currently sit just under $10 million above the cap, but could create space by restructuring or cutting players such as Tremaine Edmunds or Cole Kmet.
Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen has a reputation for maximizing pass rush talent, making Gary an appealing target for a front that wants proven edge production. Chicago would face competition from other teams, but Gary’s outside presence and pass-rush ceiling align with the Bears’ strategic priorities this offseason.
The move would also avoid compensatory pick implications tied to free-agent arrivals, a factor teams weigh when balancing cap flexibility and on-field impact. If Gary is released and lands with Chicago, it would mark a notable shift in the division’s free-agent dynamics.
Overall, Gary’s status with Green Bay and potential availability will be one to watch as the NFL’s offseason progresses, with the Bears viewed as a plausible destination should the veteran pass rusher hit the market.
