NEWSLETTER
We’ve recently found ourselves exploring creative ways in which new Bears GM Ryan Poles can come up with some newfound draft capital. After all, it isn’t as if his predecessor left him much to work with in that department. And the same can be said about cap space, of which Poles had to clear the decks on defense (we miss you, too, Khalil) to create some operating room.
To his credit, Poles has put the Bears in a place where they had room to bring in defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi on a multi-year splash deal to headline Chicago’s free agency efforts (to this point). The team has also brought on offensive lineman Lucas Patrick and linebacker Nicholas Morrow on deals that are relative bargains. Even still … there can be more cap space to be had for this offseason. And by designating Tarik Cohen and Danny Trevathan as post-June 1 cuts, the Bears are doing just that.
Details from ESPN’s Field Yates:
The Bears officially designated the release of both RB Tarik Cohen and LB Danny Trevathan as post-June 1 cuts, meaning the team will pick up $7.2M in cap space for this year on June 2.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) March 17, 2022
Yates notes how Chicago’s post-June 1 designation means the Bears gain an additional $7.2 million in cap space for this offseason. But here is the kicker: Money teams save from post-June 1 cuts isn’t available until *AFTER* June 1. Hence, the designation of post-June 1 cut. Words have meaning, ya know. By operating in this manner, the cap charge for both Cohen and Trevathan will be spread over multiple seasons (instead of just one). The Bears have done this previously with Charles Leno Jr., Trey Burton, and Cody Parkey. So this isn’t a new trick the team is unleashing as it plays cap games.
The post-June 1 cuts will ultimately bring the Bears to a place where they will have as much as $36,705,868 in cap space. On the surface, this looks like just a procedural move. And while it might be just that, it also offers up an inkling as to what the team’s plans are for the offensive line.
If you’ll recall, we were exploring the possibility of post-June 1 cuts earlier this month. Trevathan was a safe bet to be cut with this particular designation. However, the Bears could’ve gone in any number of different directions. Among them, parting ways with Cody Whitehair on a post-June 1 designation. Doing so would’ve net $8.1 million worth of cap gains that could be put to use starting on June 2. As a reminder, NFL teams can designate only two players to be post-June 1 cuts. By choosing Cohen and Trevathan, it means Whitehair is essentially a lock on the offensive line. At least for the time being.
