CHICAGO — The Chicago Bears have restructured Pro Bowl defensive end Julius Peppers’ contract to create more salary-cap room for next season.

Peppers signed a six-year deal worth potentially $91.5 million a year ago, was due a $10.5 million roster bonus for next season. Instead, the team exercised its right to convert that money into a signing bonus and prorate it over the remaining years of his contract, which runs through the 2015 season.

That saves roughly $8 million in cap space for next season, giving the Bears more room to bring in free agents and retain their own.