Chicago Bears Make Puzzling Roster Change Ahead Of Opener
The Chicago Bears always find a way to surprise people when least expected. Even in the smallest ways. That was proven true again. The team made two roster cuts two days before their September 11th opener against the San Francisco 49ers. One was removing defensive end Sam Kamara from the practice squad. That isn’t entirely uncommon. Practice squad cuts frequently happen during a season. The bigger surprise came with the dismissal of defensive tackle Mike Pennel.
There was no reason to suspect the veteran was in danger of losing his spot. He brought experience and run-stopping value to the defensive interior. With him out of the picture, the Bears only have three defensive tackles on the main roster. That feels like a dangerous line to walk, considering how quickly injuries happen in the NFL. There isn’t any reason the Bears would do this unless they had a corresponding move in mind.
What that is remains to be seen.
#Bears roster move: We have released DL Mike Pennel Jr. and we have released DL Sam Kamara from the practice squad.
— Bears Communications (@BearsPR) September 9, 2022
Malcom Brown's run reps are #good pic.twitter.com/KzY1ZDhblN
— John Shipley (@_John_Shipley) March 21, 2021
Plays like this one are why Adam Butler is going to play for 10+ years and never be out of a job. Watch #70. pic.twitter.com/1E5pelczpY
— Brett Kollmann (@BrettKollmann) November 13, 2021
The Chicago Bears may have another DT in mind.
There are rarely any significant upgrades floating around free agents this time of year. They might be looking at a few options, including Christian Covington, Malcom Brown, and Adam Butler. Covington has enjoyed a serviceable career with multiple teams. While not a great run-stuffer or interior pass rusher, he’d be acceptable as a backup. Being three years younger than Pennel likely helps his case. Brown is a former 1st round pick that helped New England win Super Bowls in 2016 and 2018. He does have 13.5 career sacks, but his calling card has always been steady interior run defense.
Butler is a former undrafted free agent that worked his way into a solid contributing role with the Patriots. He collected 13 sacks between 2018 and 2020 for them. Last season with Miami, he had two sacks and 24 pressures. It might make sense if one of those three gets added by the Chicago Bears within the next 24 hours, though they likely won’t contribute on Sunday against the 49ers.
Then again, the Bears may feel they need help at another position—definitely a scenario to monitor.