The final round of NFL preseason cuts is approaching.
Teams need to get from 80 players to 53 by Tuesday’s 3 p.m. CT deadline.
To be clear, this won’t be the last batch of roster moves. Waivers will open up on Wednesday, where teams will dive into the market in search of players to fill the roster fringes. And we could see an active trade market, too. Even still … the major thing to watch for right now is the cuts.
The Chicago Bears ended their preseason with 80 players. And their early cuts are already in the books:
Jean Delance, offensive lineman (Bears PR)Kevin Shaa, wide receiver Corey Dublin, offensive linemanJon Alexander, safety
We’ll follow the cuts as they come down and update the post as we get wind of the news. Buckle up!
TUESDAY UPDATES
This is where the fun begins. Or resumes, if you were following this post yesterday.
Today’s first Bears cut is in the books:
Cutting Edwards saves the Bears a few million in cap space. Although, I don’t see this as as cap saving measure. This cut feels like more something along the lines of parting ways with a veteran to make room for a young player. It’ll be interesting to see who slides into a spot that could’ve gone to Edwards.
I thought UDFA rookie defensive tackle Trevon Coley would slide into a roster spot after seeing Edwards get cut. But Brad Biggs (Tribune) reports the Bears are releasing Coley, whose three QB sacks led the team in the preseason.
Kevin Fishbain (The Athletic) reports running back De’Montre Tuggle has been told the Bears are waiving him. Tuggle’s summer was a mixed bag. There were flashes of speed. But his miscue causing a Dazz Newsome muffed punt in Preseason Week 2 and a second-half fumble a week later were tough to watch. The Bears could bring Tuggle back as a practice squad player.
Nathan Peterman had the unenviable task of taking the reps during the parts of preseason games only the biggest die-hards are sticking around to watch. But he did a cromulent job, and I respect that. Even still … NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport reports Peterman is getting cut. But it sounds like things are lining up for him to be the practice squad emergency QB, which makes for a soft landing.
Courtney Cronin (ESPN) chimes in to report defensive lineman Sam Kamara is going on waivers. Kamara made the transition from pass-rushing outside linebacker in a 3-4 system to a defensive end in a 4-3 scheme. And as Cronin notes, Kamara led the team in quarterback pressures. So at least he was putting good tape out there. Unless another team scoops him up on waivers, I can see Kamara landing on the practice squad.
Some clarity appears to be coming to the offensive line. Firstly, in the release of offensive lineman Michael Schofield. The homecoming story for the Chicagoland native ends before the regular season could even begin. Schofield was the Bears’ starting right guard when the preseason began, but slid into a backup role. This could be Teven Jenkins’ time to shine (even as trade rumors persist).
The Bears are also waiving offensive lineman Lachavious Simmons, per Brad Biggs. I’ll never forget when Jason Peters broke bad on Matt Nagy, telling reporters during his press conference that Simmons started that Bucs game without any first-team reps. Emergency situation, be damned. The Bears really threw a second-year player with no experience to the wolves with little to no plan on how to properly help him. And yet, Simmons hung around long enough to make it to the final round of cuts with this regime. I hope he gets a chance to further his development in a proper, functional setting.
I was hoping it was a sign that Greg Stroman was making the team after he tweeted this:
Instead, Mike Garafolo (NFL Network) reports the Bears are waiving Stroman. Considering injuries were limiting factors for Thomas Graham Jr. and Tavon Young this summer, I’ll be curious to see what the Bears’ cornerbacks room looks like when this shakes out.
Biggs checks in with news of linebacker DeMarquis Gates going on waivers, but adds that he could be a practice squad addition when the dust settles.
Reporting from Adam Jahns (The Athletic) adds receiver Chris Finke to the list of cuts. This leaves the Bears with nine receivers on the roster as of this post.
A pair of cuts in the secondary: A.J. Thomas (per Jason Lieser) and Davontae Harris (Biggs)
Biggs also has receiver Isaiah Coulter going on waivers, with the footnote that there is a “strong chance” he makes it back on the practice squad. This leaves the Bears with eight receivers. I’m starting to think Dante Pettis makes this team. His sharp route-running in the preseason was noteworthy. And his experience as a sure-handed punt returner could give him a leg up. At minimum, a defensive-leaning head coach who might want to play the field position game when possible can lean on someone like Pettis to do the right thing in the special teams game.
Nsimba Webster, who the Bears jumped to snag on the waiver wire at this time last year, is going back on waivers. Another practice squad candidate, per Biggs. That’s leaves the Bears with seven receivers.
Brad Biggs tweets to keep an eye on Chase Allen returning to the Bears via the practice squad after he clears waivers.
Somewhat of a surprise cut: Nicholas Moreano (CHGO) reports cornerback Thomas Graham Jr. is going on waivers. Graham had a few avenues to a starting role, but couldn’t stay healthy long enough to take advantage of the opportunities. I can see Graham making it back to the Bears’ practice squad, especially since injuries kept him from fully showcasing his talent this summer.
Another local – TE James O’Shaughnessy – has seen his time with the Bears come to an end. Brad Biggs reports the Bears have terminated O’Shaughnessy’s contract with a non-football illness designation.
Biggs reports cornerback Tavon Young lands on IR, as injuries again keep a talented cornerback from displaying his potential.
A wave of guys landing on waivers:
We’ll round up a preliminary 53-player roster shortly.