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It’s Week 13 in PML, and the practice squads are officially closed for stealing. The Chicago Bears, head coached by Ben Johnson, made some moves to ensure they were giving spots to deserving players who he wanted to keep around as reserves this year and potential playmakers who will sign a futures contract in the offseason. Most rosters concern themselves with only their active 53, and this gives the Windy City a chance to capitalize on a lack of cap space upcoming. The Bears cut six players from their practice squad and signed three free agents to it, landing Chicago with some high-end practice squad talent and three spots open to find a gem who gets released or stash expiring young guys they already have signed like Jordan Jefferson, Chris Paul Jr, and Layden Robinson. (Yeah, I’m stashing those three soon-ish now that stealing is closed.)
CUTS
WILL Dyontae Johnson
I was always going to cut Johnson before the season ended, he could only ever be a preseason roster filler for me.
WILL Otis Reese IV
I was always going to cut Reese early, too. He’s nothing special and isn’t young enough to still develop.
SS Daijahn Anthony
88 speed ins’t something I always have a problem with, but I have better players that are similar speed and similar players that are better speed. I can do better.
RT Josiah Ezirim
I gave him his skill point before I showed him the door, but I simply don’t want to roster a 65 overall offensive lineman next season.
MIKE Amari Burney
89 speed linebackers are more common than ever, so even though he could have had a spot in the future, I’ll take my chances replacing him.
DT Siaki Ika
I planned on him being around next year, even on the active 53-man roster as a nose tackle, but there was just too much other talent I couldn’t pass on.
SIGNED
DT Yahya Black
Someone should interview the Steelers as to why he was cut. He’s 23 which isn’t that young, but Pittsburgh is rolling with similar aged players in Desmond Ridder and Nate Carter, so why didn’t Yahya get a chance? He even had Cam Heyward to learn from. Either way, a piece I’m glad to have for depth or more.
DT Deone Walker
Once again, I was shocked to see a player like this just in free agency, not even on a practice squad. Not sure who released him, but after watching him do work all last cycle in Buffalo, I want the giant beast. He’s only 82 strength, but a lot of other good makes up for it. He’ll get snaps.
TE Josh Whyle
Not as surprising to see Whyle in free agency as the other two, but a 70 overall TE on a cheap contract isn’t something I’ll pass on, even at 25 years old.
Future Stashes
DT Jordan Jefferson
He hasn’t done much on the field, just one tackle for loss. But between Jefferson, Walker, and Black, I’m confident someone will emerge as a strong player. A committee at DT2 could be fun, too, though.
RG Layden Robinson
He’s held up well on the interior, even next to worse players like Kiran, but when playoffs roll around, I think I should put my best foot forward. His depth can be replaced short-term so he can stay around for two more seasons.
WILL Chris Paul Jr
He had my lone sack against the Steelers, but unfortunately, every linebacker seems to play the same, so another guy I want to test out and then stash away to keep long-term.
