Where does the Bears' 2022 salary cap go?
Like every NFL team, the Bears have some overpaid and underpaid players. Here is a list of players that probably make too much money for the services they bring on the field.
S Eddie Jackson, $15.09 million
Jackson has the third-highest cap hit for the Bears in 2022, bringing in over $15 million. The worst thing is that 2022 will only be the second year of his 4-year deal. That deal made him the highest-paid safety in the NFL at the time. Pretty bad contract considering the level of play shown in 2021.
DT Eddie Goldman, $11.8 million
The second Eddie on this list will conduct the fifth-highest cap hit in 2022. This contract seems even worse when you take a look at how he played in 2021. He finished the year with a 39.8 grade (per Pro Football Focus) which is horrendous. This did not go unnoticed by the Bears' fans but a cut after June 1st could take place. Goldman's dead cap would be about $3 million.
Qb Nick Foles, $10.7 million
Foles acted as the third-string Qb in 2021, behind rookie Justin Fields and Andy Dalton. This is a lot of money for someone who dropped back only 40 times last year. Foles makes more money than most second-string quarterbacks let alone third-strings. He is also the 6th highest-paid player in 2022.
Honorable Mention
DE Khalil Mack, $30.15 million
There is no questioning that Mack has the pedigree to be an elite-level pass rusher in 2022. He however commands 14% of the Bears' salary cap and is by far their highest-paid player. It will be interesting to see how Mack follows up 2021 where he was injured for the majority of the year.
