The Bears enter the 2023 offseason with by far the most spending power in the league, but they have made a move which frees up even more cap space. Chicago is releasing edge rusher Al-Quadin Muhammad, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter). 
The 27-year-old was a draft pick of the Saints in 2017, but only spent one season there. His most productive campaigns came in Indianapolis, where he took on a larger role in the team’s defense over the course of four straight years. His improvement was reflected by five combined sacks in 2019 and 2020. That made him a logical candidate for a new deal at the expiration of his rookie contract.
Muhammad did ink a one-year pact to stay with the Colts in March 2021. That deal had a $3.4MM value, and allowed him to take on a full-time starting role for the first time in his career. He responded by setting new personal marks in sacks (six) and tackles (48), positioning him for another notable contract on the open market. With ex-Colts DC Matt Eberflus taking the head coaching position in Chicago, it came as little surprise that Muhammad followed him to the Windy City.
The former sixth-rounder signed a two-year, $8MM deal with the Bears last offseason. That came with significant expectations, but he fell short of them. Muhammad registered just one sack this year, totaling 19 QB pressures (compared to 37 the season before). That opened the door to the Bears cutting ties with him despite being on the books for 2023 at a cap hit of only $4.4MM.
This release will save Chicago just under $4MM in cap space. The Bears already had over $90MM in available funds heading into free agency, in no small part due to the cost-shedding moves made by general manager Ryan Poles. Those include the trade sending Khalil Mack to the Chargers last March, and the one which saw Robert Quinn dealt to the Eagles midseason. Now, another veteran on the edge will need replacing in the coming months as the Bears look to re-tool their pass rush.
Dude was a ghost on the dline
Bears need to make smart signings.
Fields probably has 1 more year left to prove himself then his time is up. They don’t have a RB but that shouldn’t be where they invest as Fields will take a lot of the runs. I’d actually go really cheap and get two vets and hope 1 preforms. Two guys like Marlon Mack and Kenyon Drake.
WR is weak but has some options, Kenny Galloday will get brought out, I’d sign him for cheap he can return home and be another option. Cole Kmet is the only TE of note, obviously need to add some depth but as a starter Kmet is alright.
They need to make good signings on the line both offence and defence. They gave up the 4th most sacks last season, that needs to improve.
Defensively they gave up the 5th best passing completion, most yards per pass attempt and that stems from them being having the least amount of sacks. Those numbers aren’t any better when you look at them against the running game either, 2nd most rushing yards conceded and most rushing TDs allowed.
That’s why I’d be cheap on getting Fields more offensive weapons, but get him better protection and beef up the defence.
Personally I’d actually trade drop from 1st overall with the colts and count of the Texans taking a QB that way regardless of who the cardinals is get your getting either Jalen Carter or Will Anderson 4th overall. From the trade you probably add the colts second round pick, that’s where I’d grab a new LT. With your new win second round pick take another defender up front opposite to what you drafted in the first. Ie if you took Carter get an edge rusher, I’d you took Anderson get a tackle.
Hopefully from the first 2 rounds you leave with 3 new starters, 2 on defensive front 4 and 1 new OT.
Khalil Herbert: “Am I a joke to you?”
All this and you made yourself sound idiotic within the first few sentences
I think he does drugs. He’s the guy who wanted the Bulls to trade Derozan for Russell Westbrook. His personnel decisions would be the worst ever in whatever sport he talks about.
i ThInK hE dOES DrUgS… you a cop?
Yeah how the bulls going???
It was for Russ and picks jog on
Yeah picks 7 years from now. Who cares? Rehab is only a phone call away. Only you would have somebody trade their best player for a guy they can get for free now. Any GM interviews set up yet?
Mack and Drake? Everyone will be asking how they can get Simmons>Russ to join their fantasy league.
Semian and Lucas Patrick to follow saving another 6 million. Maybe Whitehair also.
If the Poles could somehow trade back and still get Carter, Then sign DeRon Payne, Instant D line.
Man, would that be great. But I think Washington will tag Payne.
Too bad they can’t trade the owner !
Anytime I get distressed about the continued mediocrity of my hometown Steelers, I quickly remember the plight of being a Bears fan.
A storied franchise that just hasn’t been able to do much right since the Ditka era
The Bears could turn this around fairly quickly. My plan would be:
Trade back twice in the first round and get more picks. I wouldn’t go back farther than 4th either way. The best way to help Fields is too fix up the OL and DL. Braxton Jones isn’t a LT unless he can build up his bottom half to keep from getting run over which happened way too often. So my plan is Trade back and get Carter or Anderson but I’d rather have Carter but either works. Then with the high second they get try to get the C from Minnesota. Draft a LT with the Ravens second and move Jones to RT where I think he would be better. Jenkins was good at RG, hope he can stay healthy but there a lots of decent G’s in FA just in case. I’m not sure the Bears need a 14 million Dollar LG but cutting Whitehair would only save 6 million this year but would save 10 million next year unless they can either restructure or cut him 6/1. Then in the 3rd round maybe trade back and draft Chase Brown and with Herbert would make a decent 1-2. Then with the 4th and 5th rounders draft LB’s and DT’s whichever they need after FA. Anyway, They need to get Lineman somehow, either in FA or the draft so lets see how it plays out.
They finally got rid of that idiot Phillips and you’ll never get rid of the McCaskey’s but they seem to have a smart leadership group at the top but time will tell. I’m glad Cunningham didn’t get the jobs he was up for because this will be a very important off season in the Bears future. I think Poles has shown he can make the tough calls, Now can he make the high draft picks because he hasn’t had any until now. Pace couldn’t.