Most people believe the 2019 Chicago Bears offseason will be largely uneventful. At least in terms of sheer volume of big moves, they made compared to 2018. That much is probably true. However, that doesn’t mean they won’t make two or three decisions that throw some people for a loop. GM Ryan Pace did say he plans to stay aggressive at the end-of-season press conference and people should take him at his word.
The question becomes what can they possibly do? Well, there is the unexpected trade that might come about as they often can. Then again, there is also another part of the process that people tend to overlook. Could the Bears possibly make a roster cut that nobody is expecting? It sounds like something they’d be hesitant to do but this team is in a position now where they feel they’re close to a championship.
They have options because of the good roster they’ve built and have a capable coaching staff that can adjust to sudden changes. If there’s a sacrifice they think can and should be made for the long-term health of the team, then they are in a position to do. Based on overlooking the roster, there is one name that sticks out as a possibility.
Kyle Long may be a Chicago Bears diehard but his body keeps betraying him
It was great to see Kyle Long be able to play in a playoff game for the Bears. Something he’s strived for the past five years, enduring one of the worst stretches in franchise history. Beneath that feel-good story though is a harsh reality of the current situation. Long turns 31-years old this year and has not played a full NFL season since 2015.
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Over the past three years, he has missed 8, 10, and 8 games respectively with various injuries. His body isn’t getting any younger and the odds of him being able to survive a full season don’t look promising. He also didn’t exactly play well when he was on the field. In nine games he allowed 14 pressures including two sacks on the quarterback.
Anthony Miller will have shoulder surgery this offseason per Pace. Only planned surgery this offseason. Kyle Long said Monday after the Eagles game he will not need any surgery's this offseason. #DaBears
— Thomas Gibbons (@ThomasGibbons_3) January 14, 2019
His replacement Bryan Witzmann, who came in off the street with no training camp or preseason prep work, allowed 16 pressures and three sacks in seven games. Not exactly a wide gap of difference. Yet Witzmann was paid a minimum of $630,000. Long will be paid $8.5 million in 2019.
That doesn’t sound like the sort of financial situation the Bears would prefer to let slide. Thus the serious idea that he could be granted his release. Cutting him would bring $5.5 million in salary cap relief. Together with the expected ousting of Dion Sims, that would net Chicago an extra $11.5 million in spending money for free agency. Or over $31 million total according to Over The Cap.
This is not a guarantee, obviously. The Bears could also ask Long to take a pay cut, getting some cap relief without having to sacrifice him. Still, the possibility is there and cannot be ignored.
