In a move marking the start of the offseason roster adjustments, the Chicago Bears have informed tight end Gerald Everett that they will be parting ways. The decision comes as teams across the league begin to make moves ahead of the NFL Scouting Combine and the start of free agency, with teams looking to clear cap space and offer veterans a fresh start. For the Bears, Everett’s release is the first of what could be more moves to come.
Gerald Everett, who was signed to a two-year, $12 million deal by the Bears last offseason, will be let go just one year into his contract. The move provides Chicago with $5.5 million in salary cap relief, a crucial amount as the team seeks to make the necessary adjustments this offseason. Although the Bears had plenty of cap flexibility heading into the offseason, every bit of space helps as they look to strengthen their roster.
Everett’s tenure with the Bears was a disappointment. The 30-year-old tight end, who played all 17 games in the 2024 season, was largely unremarkable. His presence on the field was minimal, as he finished the season with just eight receptions for 36 yards and no touchdowns. This lack of production was compounded by his limited role, seeing only 22 percent of the team’s offensive snaps. Everett’s 246 total snaps marked his fewest in a season since 2018, a season in which he played less than 50 percent of his team’s offensive snaps.
The release of Everett comes as the Bears look to reallocate resources for the future, with the move freeing up significant cap space. According to OverTheCap’s salary cap calculator, cutting Everett boosts the Bears’ available cap space from $69 million to $74.5 million, while only carrying a $1 million dead money hit. This financial flexibility could provide the team with the opportunity to address other areas of need as they head into the offseason.
The Bears now face the task of replacing Everett on the roster. The tight end position will be a key area to address, especially considering new head coach Ben Johnson’s past success with two-tight-end sets while running the Detroit Lions offense. In Detroit, Johnson frequently utilized the 12 personnel package (one running back, two tight ends), which proved to be highly effective. Given the Bears’ lack of depth at the position, adding a competent second tight end to pair with Cole Kmet will be a priority this offseason.
Free agency may provide slim pickings for quality tight ends, with a few notable names such as Juwan Johnson (Saints), Mike Gesicki (Bengals), Tyler Conklin (Jets), and Zach Ertz (Commanders) likely to be available. However, the 2025 NFL Draft may present more intriguing options. With the NFL Scouting Combine taking place next week, the Bears will likely keep a close eye on potential prospects that could fill the void at tight end.
The decision to part ways with Everett highlights the Bears’ commitment to building a competitive team in 2025, and it sets the stage for a busy offseason. As the team navigates through free agency and the draft, finding a reliable second tight end will be crucial for Chicago’s offensive plans moving forward.
As the Bears begin their roster reshaping, the release of Gerald Everett marks the first step in what could be a transformative offseason. Fans will be watching closely to see how the team proceeds with its other offseason moves, as they work toward building a stronger, more balanced roster for the upcoming season.