NFL cap casualties are a fact of life in the football business. Sometimes veteran or overpriced players get cut in the name of team stability. The Chicago Bears are guilty of this just like every other team. At the same time, they can also be a team that takes advantage of such cuts by other teams. It’s merely a matter of the right players becoming available.
For the most part, the Bears roster appears set. Most of the positions look overhauled and strong in terms of talent and depth. Yet no roster is perfect. There’s always one or two areas that you wish could be a little stronger, a little deeper, a little more certain.
Cap casualties can be temporary solutions to these problems. It’s all about finding the right one to fit the situation. While nothing is guaranteed at this point, here are five names who could be surprise cuts that the Bears might take advantage of.
Charles Sims (RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
For a time Charles Sims was considered a possible next Matt Forte. Yet for one reason or another, he was never able to carve out a big role in Tampa Bay. Even so, he’s still managed to be a quality offensive piece, specifically as a receiver out of the backfield. He made 35 catches for 249 yards last season despite a reduced offensive role. With the arrival of second round pick Ronald Jones, his position on the roster is even weaker. Odds are Sims could be out.
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Head coach Matt Nagy loves running backs who can catch the football. Sims could find new life in this Bears offense.
Charles Sims just gave the whole Falcons defense that work!!! #WVUToTheLeague pic.twitter.com/7ecYvm99vb
— WVU (@StrictlyWVU) September 11, 2016
Cedric Ogbuehi (OT, Cincinnati Bengals)
Depth at the tackle position is a question mark for the Bears. Bradley Sowell is their only notable option at present. While not terrible it would be ideal if they could find more help. Cedric Ogbuehi became a name to watch a couple months ago when the Cincinnati Bengals traded for left tackle Cordy Glenn. Suddenly the former first round pick Ogbuehi is on the bubble.
He’s reportedly in the mix at guard or right tackle, but neither guarantees anything. Ogbuehi still has athletic potential and might be a worthwhile reclamation project for line coach Harry Hiestand.
Corey Liuget (DE, Los Angeles Chargers)
The majority of Corey Liuget’s career was spent in a 3-4 defense. Now that the Chargers are shifting more and more into a 4-3, his position has become uncertain. It’s not made any better that he’s also dealing with a four-game suspension to start the season. Los Angeles may just decide to just cut their losses. This will likely make him available on the cheap and the Bears are in need of additional depth at defensive end behind Jonathan Bullard and Roy Robertson-Harris.
Jerry Hughes (EDGE, Buffalo Bills)
The Buffalo Bills are in the midst of a massive transition on defense. No player has proven safe from their wrath in terms of being cut or traded. Defensive end Jerry Hughes, who had just four sacks in 2017 could be next on the hit list. He’s 29-years old and will command a $10.4 million hit against the salary cap. They may decide to cut ties to gain a $6.5 million cap relief. The Bears would be smart to pounce on him. When playing in a 3-4 defense under Doug Marrone and Rex Ryan in 2013 and 2016, he had 16 total sacks.
Jerry Hughes spin move 🔥 #Bills @Iam_jerryhughes pic.twitter.com/Tj9ZJvJSSH
— Brandon Thorn (@VeteranScout) November 12, 2015
P.J. Williams (CB, New Orleans Saints)
For the first time in his career, P.J. Williams got to play a full season without injury or off-the-field problems getting in the way. The results were promising. The former second round pick had two interceptions and nine passes defended in 16 games. New Orleans may seek to keep him but the problem is he’s in a contract season. It’s likely he won’t be cut prematurely but they aren’t likely to pay him a new deal given their cap issues. If they do decide to cut him loose, the Bears would be foolish not to pounce.
