The Chicago Bears knew they had to make some changes to their roster going into 2023. One doesn’t finish with the worst record in football and expect to run it back. The big question was who on the roster might end up getting the ax. We got the first of those answers when Adam Schefter reported the team was parting ways with defensive end Al-Quadin Muhammad. This might come as a surprise to some. Muhammad was brought over from Indianapolis by head coach Matt Eberflus. No doubt it was hoped he’d be able to bolster the team’s pass rush.
It was a disaster. After posting six sacks for the Colts in 2021, Muhammad managed only one with the Bears across 16 games, including nine starts. That is pitiful production for any player. It would’ve been easy for Eberflus to stand behind his guy, seeking to give him one more chance. That isn’t happening. Once again, he and GM Ryan Poles are holding the team to a higher standard. Accountability is the buzzword at Halas Hall. If you don’t perform for this team, don’t expect to stick around long.
The Chicago Bears aren’t going to reward bad play.
Muhammad had another year on his contract. The Bears are swimming in cap space. It’s not like they needed money. They could’ve held onto him in hopes he might turn things around. Nope. Poles and Eberflus weren’t interested. It was evident the defensive end had nothing to offer them. His release frees up $3.96 million in cap space and a roster spot that can go to somebody who can help the team win. If nothing else, this was another clear indicator that Chicago will be aggressive in trying to find edge rushers this off-season.
As of right now, Trevis Gipson and Dominique Robinson are their only two noteworthy options. It is not going to stay that way. The Chicago Bears have enough money and draft capital to stockpile at the position. Maybe they take Will Anderson in the 1st round. Or maybe they sign a veteran like Yannick Ngakoue or Zach Allen. It will come down to who they think provides the effort and work ethic necessary to make this defense go. Don’t be surprised if they double up in the draft. This is a good year to do so.
I love how seriously people take themselves on this thing. It’s hilarious.
Hey Thomas Gena,
When does Lambert have accountability and kick guys like you to the curb?
Let’s apply some of that “accountability” to rookie GM, Ryan Poles.
He added 21 players to the Chicago Bears’ “trenches” (12 OL — 9 DL). Only Braxton Jones acquitted himself reasonably well.
One for twenty-one?
Isn’t that enough to expose Ryan Poles as an incompetent judge of NFL talent and value?
There are many “prove it” contracts on the team still. Several did not “prove it” and this is exactly how it was expected to go. We took a lot of flyers on the chance that a couple (like Sanborn) turn into a good body to keep. The other side of that coin is the reality (expected by Poles for sure) that most will not last past FA or Draft Day. Accountability! Something Pace didn’t require.
JIM B. I would argue otherwise. It looked like the “depth” was every bit as good as the starters were. They flipped starting line ups all season and other than name you couldn’t tell who was playing.