* This content was brought to you without the use or assistance of any generative AI
The Chicago Bears are doing perfectly well at 6-2 behind some amazing offense engineered by Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams. However, the defense is struggling to keep up and in an effort to raise his defensive coordinator’s spirits and chance of keeping his job (0% in game), there has been another sequence of corresponding moves in The Windy City to try and spark the Monsters of The Midway back into existence.
Move 1: Toughen Up The Practice Squad
CB Darius Rush Signed Away from Practice Squad by Pittsburgh Steelers
I was hoping Rush could sneak under the radar as he started the season protected but had to be unprotected once Blackmon was signed as he was more necessary to protect at such a high overall. Rush is a good player, so it’s unfortunate to lose him, but cornerback is probably the position we feel best about our depth.
SS Daijahn Anthony Signed to Chicago Bears’ Practice Squad
I waste no time filling the practice squad back to twelve, when I see someone has signed someone from mine, and this occasion was no different. I knew I wanted a defensive back because of my roster construction and future plans, so after a brief glance to see if there was a player at a different position I’d want more, I went to corners and safeties. I almost signed Rejzohn Wright, the real life Chicago Bear, but I felt Anthony fit my kind of defensive back, especially with the depth at corner. He’s nothing amazing, but I’ll take him to toughen up the team with his hit power and size.
Move 2: Let The Rook Play
CB Zah Frazier Elevated From IR
Hallelujah! We can elevate from IR in season one, and although Travis Homer and Austin Booker will remain on IR for the entirety of season one, Frazier gets to join the roster. Homer is on an expiring contract and is a waste of time to cut, while Booker will be on the 53 next season, but I want to let Daniel Hardy finish out the season on special teams and backup EDGE. Frazier is pretty old for a rookie at 24, but he’s tall and fast and will be getting playing time next season. Hopefully the limited rookie snaps and elevated practicing will get him prepared.
CB Jaylon Jones Cut
It wasn’t difficult to know I would be cutting a depth corner to make space for Frazier, and it wasn’t difficult to narrow it down to Jaylon Jones or Shaun Wade. However, in the end it made more sense to let Jaylon Jones go. He was kind of stealing some aura from Jaylon Johnson by having such a similar name and he isn’t fast enough to be a speedster, so I prefer the younger and taller Wade out of Ohio State. It’s pretty inconsequential either way, as Wade isn’t getting re-signed.
Move 3: Injury Settlement
WILL LB Amen Ogbongbemiga Elevated From IR and Cut
It wasn’t worth it to elevate and cut Travis Homer, but it was worth it to elevate and cut Amen as he was on a multi-year contract north of three million dollars a year… at less than 60 overall. He’s purely a special teams player and isn’t even worth this contract in real life so the second I could free up this cap, I did.
