The Chicago Bears continue to shuffle the bottom of their roster with Phase 2 of their offseason program going active. After beefing up their linebacker position a couple of days ago, GM Ryan Pace has decided to make some changes along the offensive line. Gage Cervenka whom they signed in undrafted free agency earlier this month was waived. In his place, the Bears added veteran Adam Redmond.
Upon close evaluation, this move makes a lot of sense. The Bears spent all offseason working to improve the overall depth of their offensive line. They succeeded for the most part with key additions at both tackle and guard. However, one thing they failed to find was more help at center behind Sam Mustipher. That problem is now solved as center is Redmond’s primary position.
We have signed OL Adam Redmond.@Hyundai | #DaBears https://t.co/fKW933m3yc
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) May 19, 2021
Redmond continues a trend for the Bears.
They seem to like target guys from Ivy League schools. Jesper Horsted (Princeton) was one example. Then undrafted guard Dieter Eiselen (Yale) became another. Redmond joins that mix coming from Harvard as an undrafted free agent in 2016. During the time since he’s bounced around the league, going from active rosters to practice squads in Indianapolis, Buffalo, and finally Dallas.
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To date, he’s been active in 18 games across his career and seen snaps in five of them. His last action was in 2018. Since then he’s been exclusively on the sideline for Dallas. When watching him, he is a big guy. Redmond is 6’6 and 300 lbs. He seems to have solid technique and moves well. His competitiveness stands out too. The primary concern that seems to crop up with him is a lack of true strength. He tends to get driven back too often at times. Still, that never stops him from battling.
Adam Redmond looks goooood today at center in 1v1s pic.twitter.com/VQFHNmdfCN
— John Owning (@JohnOwning) August 14, 2019
Adam Redmond drives Daniel Wise to the ground pic.twitter.com/rcSY8vNZvX
— John Owning (@JohnOwning) August 13, 2019
Adam Redmond with a dominant rep vs Christian Covington. Redmond seems to have bounced back well after a poor showing vs SF pic.twitter.com/jyRGfNSEZt
— John Owning (@JohnOwning) August 12, 2019
Chicago Bears likely wanted depth for training camp
It’s never fun to call a guy a camp body because they work so hard to be in the NFL. That said, Redmond comes across as that sort of signing. Outside of Mustipher, they had no true center on the roster and they aren’t going to shift Cody Whitehair or James Daniels to that spot unless given no other choice. Redmond offers them that second option who can handle the 2nd and/or 3rd string snaps during practice and in the preseason.
This is not to say the guy is on borrowed time. He has an opportunity in front of him. If he can impress the coaches in the weeks to come, what is initially a camp body situation can morph into something bigger if he plays well. Every snap he makes will be evaluated. Redmond has been in this position before with three other teams. He knows exactly what he’s getting into with the Chicago Bears.
Come to camp, compete, and give us a reason to keep you.
That is how it always goes with undrafted free agents and most veterans. They’ll get paid to help prepare the bigger names for the upcoming season. Beyond that? It’s entirely up to them. The Bears are going to keep the best 53 players possible for the 2021 season. They aren’t going to set aside roster spots just because Redmond fills a minor need for this summer. If he wants more, he’ll have to earn it.
