Ben Johnson Roster Purge Coming? Insider Issues Warning
When Ben Johnson took over as offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions in 2022, he essentially built on the players already there. He got results immediately, too. D’Andre Swift, Jamaal Williams, and T.J. Hockenson were all meaningful contributors to that team’s 9-8 finish. One would think the coach would’ve preferred to keep the status quo. Instead, the Lions traded both Swift and Hockenson while allowing Williams to walk in free agency. Detroit drafted Jahmyr Gibbs and Sam LaPorta in the subsequent offseason, putting the personnel more in line with what Johnson wanted.
Some around the NFL are wondering if the same situation is looming for the Chicago Bears this offseason. While the offense finished in the top 10 in both points scored and total yards, there is a belief that Johnson may wish to tweak the personnel more towards his vision. Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team has connections around the league. He explained on his podcast that there is a strong feeling that some notable changes might be coming over the next month. The three names mentioned?
- Swift
- Cole Kmet
- D.J. Moore
Ben Johnson has already proven how high his standards are.
If you don’t perform up to a certain level in his eyes, he’ll go find somebody who will. Many of the reasons behind moving on from those three players are about money. The Bears are over the salary cap. Cutting or trading them would clear up significant space. However, it isn’t just about that. Remember, Johnson already moved off Swift once before in Detroit. It’s possible he just doesn’t see the running back as the best fit for this offense, despite Swift’s excellent overall season.
The ascent of Colston Loveland has made Kmet more of a luxury for the team at his current pay level. Moore saw his production decline considerably this season despite his heroics down the stretch. A simple question must be asked. Would Ben Johnson consider any of those guys irreplaceable? The answer is no. Right now, the one he might be least inclined to move is Kmet, given his value in “12” personnel. Moore and Swift, on the other hand, don’t come across as guys they need to keep.
Johnson may keep changes to a minimum due to limited resources.
It’d be one thing if the Bears had lots of cap space and several high draft choices as the Lions did in 2023. They don’t. Their salary cap is limited and they have a standard stash of picks. Zero extra. That means Coach Johnson won’t be able to make sweeping changes without taking some considerable risks. It is far more likely that he makes a big change at one or two positions at most. If one were to weigh the odds, the most likely candidate is Moore. The Bears have Rome Odunze and Luther Burden on rookie deals. They can serve as the primary two wide receivers. Filling the #3 role wouldn’t be difficult.
| Player | 2026 Cap Hit | Dead Money (Pre-6/1) | Cap Savings (Pre-6/1) |
|---|---|---|---|
| DJ Moore | $28.5M | $12.0M (Trade) / $35.5M (Cut) | $16.5M (Trade) / ($6.9M loss if Cut) |
| Cole Kmet | $11.6M | $3.2M | $8.4M |
| D’Andre Swift | $8.8M | $1.33M | $7.47M |
His removal from the books alone (presuming a trade) would put the Bears back into the black on cap space. Johnson could survive one more year with Swift, who is a free agent in 2027. There isn’t much logic to cutting Kmet, who is a quality second receiving option at tight end and a quality blocker. If two moves were to be made, smart money says it will be Moore and Swift. They should be the easiest to replace.