Are the Chicago Bears Heading for a Major Roster Shakeup in 2026?

As the 2026 offseason rumor mill begins to heat up, the Chicago Bears are once again drawing attention around the league. With a roster still taking shape and leadership focused on long-term flexibility, difficult decisions could be looming. After a surprising season that raised both optimism and concern, the front office faces important choices about how to best position the team for sustained success. The real question is whether any major moves are coming or if the noise is simply part of the annual offseason cycle. However, four names have been thrown around as trade candidates so far this offseason.

Tyson Bagent 

Tyson Bagent has served as a quality backup quarterback for Chicago for the past three seasons. The 25-year-old first joined the team as an undrafted free agent in 2023. He initially was thought of as a practice squad player, but then won the backup competition a few weeks into the 2023 season. He signed a two-year, $10 million contract before the start of the 2025 season. Teams have now begun to call Chicago about a potential trade for the backup. 

His cheap contract and potential make him a hot target for anyone who is seeking a quarterback competition. However, the Bears are not going to let him go for nothing. He does not have a large cap hit, so it is not a necessity to move on from him. It seems like it may just be Chicago gathering interest and potential offers. If a team becomes desperate after free agency and makes an aggressive offer, then Bagent could be on the move. While it would not be a shock to see a trade, as of now, it seems more likely that the quarterback room remains the same.

D.J. Moore 

Wide receiver D.J. Moore may be the most established Chicago Bear who could be traded during the 2026 offseason. He first joined the team in a blockbuster trade with the Carolina Panthers in 2023. During his time in Chicago, the former first-round pick has been a steady and reliable target who has not missed a game. In 51 games, he has 244 catches, 3,012 yards, and 20 receiving touchdowns. 

Unfortunately, the 28-year-old is coming off of the worst year in his career. He only had 50 catches, 682 yards, and six touchdowns. Fans and experts also questioned his effort throughout the season, most notably when it looked like he did not give full effort on the interception in the overtime loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Now, with the emergence of younger talent, as well as a $23 million cap hit, it looks like he could be on the move. Whether it is including him in a trade for a player or just dumping his contract, at this point, it would seem like his time in Chicago is done.

Tremaine Edmunds 

Next to Moore, linebacker Tremaine Edmunds may be the most notable player on the trade block. This past season, despite only playing in 13 games, he was one of the leaders of the defense. The 27-year-old had four interceptions and a total of 112 tackles. In his three seasons with the Bears, Edmunds has played 45 games, where he has nine interceptions and 335 tackles. Despite this quality production, there has been plenty of discussion around his future with the team. 

The Bears are approximately six million dollars over the cap. Due to these financial constraints, it is challenging to fix the holes in the team. This is where the debate about Edmunds comes in. Chicago could save around $15 million if it were to move on from Edmunds. Many experts and fans have believed that the linebacker would be a likely cut candidate. The team has allowed him the chance to look for a trade, but it is unlikely that they would receive much in return. A trade also seems unlikely due to the fact that teams could just wait to sign him as a free agent instead of giving up a draft pick. Even if a trade does not happen, it seems like a guarantee that the former first-round pick will be on a new team next season.

Gervon Dexter 

The final, and most recent player who has been in trade rumors is defensive tackle Gervon Dexter. He was drafted by the Bears in the second round in 2023. Since then, he has played in a total of 49 games, where he has 13.5 sacks and 115 total tackles. In 2025, he had arguably his best season yet, recording six sacks and 44 total tackles. Despite this increase in production, it seems his time in Chicago may be nearing an end. 

It caught many fans off guard when the 24-year-old's name began to come up in trade rumors. He is entering the final year of his rookie deal, which also provides the team with a cheap, quality player. Previously, there were no rumors that he could be on the way out, and it was expected that he would be one of the anchors of the defensive line. However, rumors have surfaced that he does not fit Dennis Allen’s defensive system as well as they hoped. Due to the lack of options at defensive tackle in free agency and the value of his contract, Dexter could get the team back a quality return. This situation is a lot newer than the others, which makes it hard to know how serious the offers are. Despite the recent rumors, it currently does not seem very likely for him to be traded due to the lack of talent on the defensive line. 

As the 2026 offseason unfolds, Chicago appears to be at a crossroads that could define the next phase of the franchise. With salary cap pressure, emerging young talent, and shifting scheme fits all in play, the team must carefully weigh short-term stability against long-term flexibility. Several key contributors have been mentioned in trade discussions, signaling that no move is entirely off the table. Still, not every rumor guarantees action, and some speculation may simply reflect due diligence from the front office. Whether bold trades materialize or the roster largely stays intact, this offseason will reveal just how aggressive the organization is willing to be in reshaping its future.