NEWSLETTER
Football is a game that is won in the trenches.
To that end, it isn’t surprising to see that the Chicago Bears’ first relatively high-profile free agent signing is someone who can get it done at the line of scrimmage. But I didn’t think that it would be a *DEFENSIVE* lineman. Nevertheless, Larry Ogunjobi is the soon-to-be-newest member of the Bears.
The #Bears are expected to sign #Bengals DT Larry Ogunjobi, source said. A huge piece in the middle.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 14, 2022
Larry Ogunjobi's contract with the #Bears will be a big one.
3-year deal worth $40.5 million. It includes $26.35 million guaranteed.
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) March 14, 2022
NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport isn’t fronting when he describes as Ogunjobi as a “huge piece” in the middle of that defense. At 6-4 and 305 pounds, Ogunjobi is both a large human being and a productive ballplayer.
Ogunjobi, 27, is coming off a strong season with the AFC champion Bengals. He put up a career bests in sacks (7), QB Hits (16), and tackles-for-loss (12) while playing and starting 16 games. After spending four years in Cleveland, it is a one-and-done situation for Ogunjobi in Cincinnati. And while Chicago makes for three stops in as many years for Ogunjobi, a three-year deal worth up to $40.5 million (that includes $26.35 million in guarantees, mind you) gives the big man some stability.
And yet, I’m stunned. I wasn’t expecting GM Ryan Poles to shell out a huge chunk of change at the defensive line spot. It isn’t that Ogunjobi can’t be a solid addition to a defense that needs bodies. But seeing the Bears’ offensive line needs, and the holes at receiver, and the emptiness of the secondary, it is jarring to see that much of an investment along the interior of the defensive line. Hope it works out.
