The Chicago Bears had hoped to make a splash in free agency during the spring. GM Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus knew what they wanted. The new 4-3 defensive scheme required a defensive tackle that could rush the passer. Larry Ogunjobi was a perfect fit for that spot. So before free agency began, the two sides reached an agreement on a three-year deal worth $40.5 million. Then things went sideways.
The veteran defensive tackle came in for a routine physical before signing the contract. Chicago’s medical staff noticed immediate red flags. It was enough to convince Poles that making the deal wasn’t in the team’s best interests. So it fell apart. Ogunjobi remained a free agent and eventually signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers once his health issue cleared up. The Bears signed Justin Jones for two years at $12 million instead. According to ESPN’s Seth Walder, that entire fiasco may have worked out in Chicago’s favor.
Ogunjobi is one of the least effective defensive tackles in the NFL at pass rush win rate. Jones is marginally better and isn’t weighing the team down with a $40 million commitment. Sometimes the best deals are the ones you don’t make.
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Credit to Poles for making the tough Larry Ogunjobi decision.
It would’ve been so easy for the young GM to shrug off the warnings from his medical staff on the defensive tackle. They were already committed to the deal. Backing out would make him look incompetent. Poles didn’t care. His job from the moment he took over was simple. Do what is best for the Chicago Bears. He listened to the expert advice he was given. The tests warned that this guy wasn’t healthy and may not be like the player he was before the injury he suffered last season.
Thus far, they’ve been proven correct. Larry Ogunjob is on track to finish with half the sacks he had in 2021. Jones is providing more at a fraction of the cost, leaving the door open for the Bears to find an upgrade in the near future. They have a boatload of salary cap space and will likely pick high in the upcoming NFL draft. Sometimes things that appear bad at first end up working out for the better.
