Chicago Bears Hint At Looming Purge Of Older Players

Dec 21, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte (22) is congratulated for scoring by tackle Jermon Bushrod (74) during the second quarter against the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

Unlike some other teams in the league of late, not every GM prefers to do everything in one fell swoop. They prefer to make it process, figuring out who deserves to stay on the roster before simply casting players off like drained batteries. However, based on a growing trend of late surrounding the Chicago Bears, it’s becoming clear that Ryan Pace is purging the older players on his roster.

"“Since Pace took over, the Bears have lost six players with a combined 25 Pro Bowl appearances — Pace didn’t re-sign Charles Tillman (2) and Lance Briggs (7); traded Brandon Marshall (5) and Jared Allen (5); and cut Tim Jennings (2) and Ratliff (4). (They have nine former Pro Bowl players with a combined 14 appearances left on their roster.) If Pace could wake up tomorrow and it would be Jan. 4 — the start of the 2016 offseason — my guess is Pace would take it.While being patient and deliberate, Pace still is a young man in a hurry. He’ll take advantage of any opportunity to get younger — if it makes his team better in the long term. And as Jeremiah Ratliff found out the hard way, he’s not messing around. It was another step in the right direction.”"

There is something else all those players have in common: being north of the age of 30. Allen (32) and Tillman (33) are playing out their strings in Carolina. Jennings (31) continues a downward trend in Tampa Bay. Marshall (31) is his usual productive self but hasn’t lost his ongoing colorful personality and penchant for poorly-timed drops and bonehead plays. Briggs (34) hasn’t found a team to sign with and is basically all but officially retired.

As of right now the Bears have 12 players on their current roster who are 30 or older.

Robbie Gould (33)
Will Montgomery (32)
Jay Cutler (32)
Thomas Gafford (32)
Antrel Rolle (32)
Jermon Bushrod (31)
Sherrod Martin (31)
Zach Miller (31)
Ryan Mundy (30)
Alan Ball (30)
Antone Smith (30)
Willie Young (30)

That number will swell to 13 when Matt Forte reaches that milestone in December. Based on expiring contracts and the general desire to build his own roster, it stands to reason 50% or more of those names won’t be on this team opening day of 2016. Who will survive and who will be discarded to the heap depends on how well they perform the rest of this season.

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