The Bears could also release running back D’Andre Swift (about $7.47 million) or tight end Cole Kmet ($8.4 million) to free up significant chunks of cap space for 2026. When it comes to Kmet, though, the Bears may have a better option than an outright release if they have plans to move on from their $50 million tight end this offseason. “He can be a solid long-term starter for a team in need of a pass-catching tight end. “The Carolina Panthers should be interested in adding a tight end of Kmet’s caliber. Between his $11.6 million cap hit and Loveland’s emergence as a rookie, the Bears could count him as expendable.