The Chicago Bears have agreed to terms with the Buffalo Bills to acquire offensive lineman Ryan Bates in exchange for a 2024 fifth-round selection. The trade won’t be official until the start of the new league year and pending a physical.
The addition of Bates adds depth along the interior offensive line. Bates, who’s appeared in 73 games with 19 starts, has experience playing right guard and center — most of that coming at guard.
But how does the Bates’ acquisition impact the Bears’ salary cap in 2024?
Chicago signed Bates to an offer sheet back in March 2022, but Buffalo matched it giving him a four-year, $17 million deal with $8.85 million in guarantees.
According to Over the Cap, Bates’ remaining contract is two years for $8 million. Bates is slated to have salary cap hit of $4 million both in 2024 and 2025.
Chicago is sitting in a prime position this offseason with the salary cap. They’re slated to have roughly $75 million, fourth most in the league, to shore up different roster needs in free agency — and perhaps even re-sign some of their own.