Impact of Ryan Bates trade on Bears' 2024 salary cap

The Chicago Bears have reached an agreement with the Buffalo Bills to acquire offensive lineman Ryan Bates in exchange for a 2024 fifth-round pick. However, the trade is pending until the new league year begins and Bates undergoes a physical examination.

Bringing Bates on board bolsters the Bears' depth in the interior offensive line. With 73 games under his belt, including 19 starts, Bates offers versatility, having primarily played at right guard and center.

Yet, the crucial question remains: How will Bates' arrival affect the Bears' salary cap for 2024?

Back in March 2022, Chicago extended an offer sheet to Bates, but Buffalo matched it, securing him on a four-year, $17 million deal with $8.85 million guaranteed. As per Over the Cap, Bates has two years remaining on his contract, totaling $8 million. He is set to count for a $4 million salary cap hit in both 2024 and 2025.

Heading into the offseason, the Bears are in a favorable financial position, boasting approximately $75 million in cap space, the fourth-highest in the league. This ample cap room enables them to address various roster needs in free agency and potentially retain some of their own players.

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