ESPN suggests the Bears should consider parting ways with rising offensive tackle Kiran Amegadjie, citing a need for a fresh start elsewhere.
The Chicago Bears will have to let some players go this offseason due to their cap situation.
The team already parted ways with linebacker Amen Ogbongbemiga to save some cap space. The move saved the team over $2 million in cap space. Ogbongbemiga played in eight games this season due to injury and finished with 17 total tackles.
The Bears have some big decisions to make about the players set to become free agents this offseason. Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker are the two biggest names, but Nahshon Wright had his value go up the most. Wright's value is now $16.7 million, up from $1.1 million in his last contract.
Still, there are some players who have a couple more years left on their contracts that may not be on the team in 2026. D'Andre Swift and D.J. Moore have been rumored to be trade targets.
Swift will hit free agency in 2027, while Moore won't be free from his contract with Chicago until 2030.
However, another player that could be let go by the Bears is 2024 third-round pick Kiran Amegadjie, according to ESPN's Aaron Schatz. He won't be a free agent until 2028.
Amegadjie is a native of Hinsdale, Illinois. While it will be tough letting go of someone who grew up close to Chicago, Schatz believed it was time to move on from the offensive tackle.
"It's a shame to get rid of a player who grew up near the Windy City, but it's pretty clear that Amegadjie isn't in the Bears' plans going forward," Schatz said. "The 2024 third-round pick likely would have been cut in last season's training camp if not for his Day 2 draft upside. His struggles blocking in space led the Bears to start working him at guard instead of tackle. He could use a fresh start with a new organization for whom he could play guard from Day 1 and hopefully fulfill his collegiate potential as a run blocker."
Amegadjie played college football at Yale from 2020-23. He was a First-Team FCS All-American and First-Team All-Ivy in 2023.
He saw playing time as a rookie, appearing in six games. The thought was that he would compete for the starting left tackle job in 2025. He suffered a preseason leg injury that kept him out of the first game.
He returned and played in the second preseason game, but things got worse. Amegadjie then suffered a season-ending elbow injury, and he went to injured reserve.
Braxton Jones was the left tackle to start the year, followed by Theo Benedet when he was benched. Then, Ozzy Trapilo won the job after Week 12. So, it's safe to say the room is crowded.
Especially when you have someone on the roster like left guard Joe Thuney, who can also play left tackle if needed.
Whether the team releases him or trades him, there just isn't room for Amegadjie on the Bears anymore.