Chicago Bears most overpaid player in 2026 identified by NFL analyst

The Chicago Bears have been busily re-tooling their roster ahead of the 2026 NFL season. In doing so, they have been able to shed tens of millions of dollars in salary cap space, which has allowed them the flexibility to be players in free agency. Additionally, they have set themselves up for the flexibility to necessary to extend their young core, most importantly quarterback Caleb Williams.

As is the case on every NFL team, though, the Bears have money committed to players that have not exactly lived up to the contracts that they have signed.

Dayo Obeyingbo named the most overpaid player on the Chicago Bears

Last year, the Bears signed defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo to a three-year $48 million contract. However, in his first season with Chicago, he only appeared in eight games. And in those eight games, he did not live up to the level of play that the team had expected.

For these reasons, Odeyingbo was declared by Bleacher Report to be Chicago’s most overpaid player:

“The Bears gave Odeyingbo a three-year, $48 million deal last offseason in hopes that he’d take another step forward after back-to-back promising campaigns in Indy. But he struggled in his first eight games, registering just one sack and two tackles for loss before suffering a torn Achilles tendon in Week 9. Far from ideal for a guy who will count $20.5 million against the cap in 2026.”

Unfortunately, Odeyingbo suffered a torn Achilles midway through the season and was unable to have a productive second half of the season. Had he done so, his contract may have been more than justified.

Due to his injury, Chicago is not able to trade him. Furthermore, they cannot cut him because doing so due to his injury would result in them having to guarantee the rest of his contract.

It is not yet known whether or not he will be able to play in 2026. If he does, it will not be until around mid-season.

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