The NFL offseason is proving to be pivotal for teams such as the Chicago Bears and the New England Patriots as they look to make significant roster moves and manage their salary cap efficiently.
On Monday, the Chicago Bears signed several players to 2025 reserve/future contracts, strengthening their practice squad as they head toward the next season. The players inked to these contracts include offensive linemen Theo Benedet and Chris Glaser, wide receivers John Jackson and Samori Toure, linebacker Carl Jones, defensive lineman Jamree Kromah, quarterback Austin Reed, and tight end Joel Wilson. These contracts allow the Bears to keep these players under their control as they prepare for the 2025 NFL season.
Meanwhile, the New England Patriots find themselves at one of the most consequential crossroads in franchise history. After concluding two consecutive seasons with 4-13 records, the team parted ways with head coach Jerod Mayo. The lackluster performance earned them the No. 4 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, along with nine total picks, including two third-round selections.
Adding to their optimism, the Patriots are projected to have more than $100 million of salary cap space this offseason, providing them with significant financial flexibility to pursue quality veteran players. This financial room is considered the largest among all NFL teams for the upcoming season. The Patriots, historically known for their calculated spending strategies, are uniquely positioned to not only draft talented prospects but also to attract high-end free agents.
2012 saw the Patriots making headlines with their spending spree, where they allocated nearly $160 million in guaranteed contracts to several key players, illustrating their willingness to bolster their roster. The team's excellent salary cap position could once again lead to similar significant signings.
Currently, the Patriots hold the top spot for projected salary cap space this offseason, with the list of NFL teams ranking as follows: the Bears at $80.1 million, Cardinals at $82.8 million, Washington Commanders at $99.2 million, Las Vegas Raiders at $107.3 million, and leading, the New England Patriots at $131.7 million.
To provide even more depth, here is a look at the top unrestricted free agents who could be available in March. They include notable players like Sam Darnold, Josh Sweat, Ronnie Stanley, Chris Godwin, Amari Cooper, Khalil Mack, D.J. Reed, Jevon Holland, Trey Smith, and Tee Higgins, whose signing would be transformative for the Patriots. Higgins, at just 26 years old, boasts talent capable of stretching defenses, evidenced by his impressive 2024 season where he recorded 73 receptions for 911 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Given the current dynamics, acquiring Higgins could be the best-case scenario for the Patriots as they work to develop their offense around their promising young franchise quarterback, Drake Maye. This offseason should focus sharply on enhancing the roster surrounding Maye after he demonstrated potential and prompting praise reminiscent of elite players like Buffalo Bills' Josh Allen.
While the Patriots do have flexibility, it's also prudent to examine their potential free agents, as retaining their own can be just as important. Defensive back Jonathan Jones is key for the team, especially with his Super Bowl-winning experience and ability to perform across various positions. The loss of Deatrich Wise Jr., who has consistently contributed as an edge rusher, could also pose challenges without proper reinforcement.
Looking at the team’s tight end situation, Austin Hooper’s performance as a reliable backup has led to discussions about bringing him back at the right price. Bringing back Jacoby Brissett, meanwhile, might not make sense moving forward considering how well rookie quarterback Joe Milton III demonstrated himself late last season.
Overall, the upcoming offseason looms large for the Patriots, with no major free agent necessary to retain, providing them with fresh opportunities to build their roster from the ground up. They aim not just to recover from two disappointing seasons, but to make bold moves and capitalize on their strong salary cap situation to return to contention.
For both clubs, the offseason will be pivotal, reflecting their coaching decisions, financial management and how they address their roster needs to move forward successfully and possibly reshape their season outcomes.