The Chicago Bears are going to look like a very different team by the start of the 2022 season. Both because of the large number of in-house free agents they have as well as the likelihood a totally new regime will take over later this month. When such things happen, it can often mean some players that seemed safe at first could suddenly find themselves off the roster. One that should start getting nervous is Eddie Goldman.
Something has been off about the Bears’ nose tackle ever since he returned. Things started shifting as far back as the start of 2020. That was when he chose to opt out of playing that season due to COVID-19 concerns. An unfortunate loss given how much he meant to the defense but understandable. People were excited about the prospect of his return in 2021. Then weird things started happening. Goldman didn’t show up at OTAs. Then he didn’t show up for mandatory minicamps.
Some started to wonder if he might opt out again.
There was even speculation he could be contemplating retirement. Either way there was a general feeling that Goldman wasn’t all there in terms of his edge and commitment to the defense. Not like he was three years ago. With one game left to play this season, it is fair to say those concerns were justified. The 27-year old is in the midst of his worst season as a professional.
Pro Football Focus gave him a run defense grade of 40.1 this season. That is a full 23.6 points fewer than his previous low back in 2015. His rookie year. He is credited with just eight run stops too. Those are plays made that result in a loss or no gain. For context, he had 20 in 2019 and 31 in 2018. This is not the same player. The presence he once had isn’t there anymore.
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Eddie Goldman has become replaceable
That wasn’t the case a few years ago. He was easily one of the best nose tackles in the league. That is why the Bears paid him over $10 million a year. There is a good chance they won’t be wild about continuing to do so after this season. Not with so many other pressing roster issues to address. Especially on the offensive side. The run defense isn’t good with him. So there isn’t much point in continuing to pay him.
If the Bears were to cut or trade Eddie Goldman, they would secure $6.66 million in salary cap space. That would push their projected total to around $45 million. If they can get a draft pick back for him as well, then all the better. The reality is nose tackles are easier to find in the NFL than other positions. Goldman was great for a period of four seasons from 2016 to 2019.
It now seems like he has regressed.
This is not the outcome anybody wanted. It seemed like the big guy could be a centerpiece of that defense for years to come. Sadly the NFL doesn’t always work that way. Some guys peak early in their careers and then vanish almost as fast as they arrived. Goldman is approaching that category. Somebody that is becoming worth more off the roster than on it.
