Jermon Bushrod solved what had been a major need for the Bears when they signed him to play left tackle in 2013.
His run with the team ended Tuesday when he was released after three seasons with the Bears listing him as having failed his physical.
Bushrod's departure leaves the Bears with a pressing question early in the offseason: Whom will they plug in to protect quarterback Jay Cutler's blind side: Charles Leno, who started there 13 games last season, or Kyle Long, who switched from right guard to right tackle in 2015?
In cutting Bushrod now, the Bears give him some time to catch on with another team. The move did not come as a surprise.
Bushrod, 31, started the first three games last season before suffering a concussion and a shoulder injury against the Seahawks. Leno was plugged in and Bushrod subsequently filled a backup role with occasional opportunities as a third tackle.
"We thank Jermon for his contributions to the Bears," general manager Ryan Pace said in a release. "I have so much respect for how he carries himself on and off the field."
Bushrod's base salary for 2016 was $6.4 million with a $100,000 roster bonus. While he will count $4.4 million against the salary cap, the move creates an additional $4.3 million in cap room for a team that already projected to have $55 million in cap space.
The Bears could earmark some of that space for a right guard, another position in question on the line.
The coaching staff praised Bushrod for how he handled the demotion. Pace and director of player personnel Josh Lucas have been fond of Bushrod since their time together with the Saints. Bushrod was a two-time Pro Bowl performer for them and was a key player on their Super Bowl XLIV championship team.
Former Bears GM Phil Emery signed him to a $35.965 million, five-year contract in 2013. Bushrod earned $22.765 million in three seasons.
A fourth-round pick from Towson University in 2007, Bushrod has made 96 career starts. He indicated at the end of last season that he hoped to play this year if he felt right physically. Back issues have plagued Bushrod, and he missed nearly all of the voluntary offseason program last year.
Pace said after the season that he was pleasantly surprised with Leno at left tackle so the Bears may lean toward keeping their tackles in place.
Meanwhile, the future of veteran safety Antrel Rolle has yet to be determined. The Bears could release him after one season with the team. Of course, the Bears don't have depth at the position, and there's no financial gain to making a decision quickly. Rolle, 33, missed nine games last season when a high ankle sprain led to a sprained knee.
Rolle earned $5 million in 2015 but for this season has a $2.4 million base salary, a $500,000 roster bonus (a per-game bonus of $31,250) and a $100,000 workout bonus. It's possible the Bears won't make a final determination on Rolle until they see if they can find a replacement in free agency or the draft.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sport...rs-release-jermon-bushrod-20160216-story.html
His run with the team ended Tuesday when he was released after three seasons with the Bears listing him as having failed his physical.
Bushrod's departure leaves the Bears with a pressing question early in the offseason: Whom will they plug in to protect quarterback Jay Cutler's blind side: Charles Leno, who started there 13 games last season, or Kyle Long, who switched from right guard to right tackle in 2015?
In cutting Bushrod now, the Bears give him some time to catch on with another team. The move did not come as a surprise.
Bushrod, 31, started the first three games last season before suffering a concussion and a shoulder injury against the Seahawks. Leno was plugged in and Bushrod subsequently filled a backup role with occasional opportunities as a third tackle.
"We thank Jermon for his contributions to the Bears," general manager Ryan Pace said in a release. "I have so much respect for how he carries himself on and off the field."
Bushrod's base salary for 2016 was $6.4 million with a $100,000 roster bonus. While he will count $4.4 million against the salary cap, the move creates an additional $4.3 million in cap room for a team that already projected to have $55 million in cap space.
The Bears could earmark some of that space for a right guard, another position in question on the line.
The coaching staff praised Bushrod for how he handled the demotion. Pace and director of player personnel Josh Lucas have been fond of Bushrod since their time together with the Saints. Bushrod was a two-time Pro Bowl performer for them and was a key player on their Super Bowl XLIV championship team.
Former Bears GM Phil Emery signed him to a $35.965 million, five-year contract in 2013. Bushrod earned $22.765 million in three seasons.
A fourth-round pick from Towson University in 2007, Bushrod has made 96 career starts. He indicated at the end of last season that he hoped to play this year if he felt right physically. Back issues have plagued Bushrod, and he missed nearly all of the voluntary offseason program last year.
Pace said after the season that he was pleasantly surprised with Leno at left tackle so the Bears may lean toward keeping their tackles in place.
Meanwhile, the future of veteran safety Antrel Rolle has yet to be determined. The Bears could release him after one season with the team. Of course, the Bears don't have depth at the position, and there's no financial gain to making a decision quickly. Rolle, 33, missed nine games last season when a high ankle sprain led to a sprained knee.
Rolle earned $5 million in 2015 but for this season has a $2.4 million base salary, a $500,000 roster bonus (a per-game bonus of $31,250) and a $100,000 workout bonus. It's possible the Bears won't make a final determination on Rolle until they see if they can find a replacement in free agency or the draft.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sport...rs-release-jermon-bushrod-20160216-story.html
