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2015 NFL Free Agency: Gosder Cherilus Landing Spots

By Erik Lambert

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Nov 24, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Indianapolis Colts offensive tackle Gosder Cherilus (78) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Colts 40-11. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Starting-caliber offensive tackles are almost impossible to find after the initial waves of free agency.  That is unless one is unsuspectingly released.  Such was the case when the Indianapolis Colts bid farewell to veteran Gosder Cherilus after just two seasons.

Much of the reasoning behind the move centers around his 2014 season, which went poorly from every aspect.  He missed three games and the playoffs due to injury and in the games he played was mostly ineffective.  According to Pro Football Focus, he allowed six sacks and 15 hits on Andrew Luck for a -16.8 rating.  Not exactly the expected return on a $35 million investment.

That doesn’t mean Cherilus is finished though.  He’s 31-years old and prior to last season was actually playing good football.  Maybe the injuries can help explain his struggles along with frequently having to line up against guys like J.J. Watt, DeMarcus Ware, Elvis Dumervil, Chandler Jones and Ryan Kerrigan.  Those were some of the best pass rushers in the league last year.

Suffice to say there is no reason to think Cherilus won’t get another opportunity.  It’s just a matter of which teams will come calling.  Here are some to keep an eye on.

Chicago Bears

Both tackle positions are in a bad way for the Chicago Bears but by far the worse of the two is right tackle.  Third-year man Jordan Mills was a turnstile all year in 2014, allowing numerous sacks and hits on Jay Cutler.  He blamed a nagging foot injury for the issue which has since healed.  Still, the team really has no competition on the roster to go against him.  Cherilus would change that.

Detroit Lions

Players returning to the teams that originally drafted them happens all the time.  So it wouldn’t be a big stretch to see Cherilus returning to the Detroit Lions.  They really haven’t found a replacement since he left in 2013, forcing them to hope former undrafted free agent LaAdrian Waddle can step up.  Cherilus knows the city and the players on the roster.  It’s not a hard sell to see him going home in hopes of helping that team settle down one of their weaker positions.

New York Giants

The loss of left tackle William Beatty was ill-timed for the New York Giants.  It forced them to plug rookie Ereck Flowers in his place, leaving the often ineffective Marshall Newhouse to try holding things down on the right side.  In a year with high expectations for Eli Manning and that passing attack, the last thing the Giants need is a power outage up front again.  Maybe Cherilus isn’t the ideal answer, but he can be one in a pinch.

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