Chicago Bears Complete Updated 2017 NFL Mock Offseason

Jan 1, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Chicago Bears head coach John Fox against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings defeated the Bears 38-10. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Chicago Bears head coach John Fox against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings defeated the Bears 38-10. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next
Nov 13, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) looks on against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Chicago Bears 36-10. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) looks on against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Chicago Bears 36-10. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Cuts:

Jay Cutler (QB) – $14 million gained

Anybody with halfway decent vision can see this coming. Perhaps the Bears may yet pull off a trade to another team but it’s not likely at this point. Odds are they will be content to release Cutler after eight seasons and let him either pick a new team or take an early retirement. Sad in many ways, but also inevitable at this point.

Eddie Royal (WR) – $5 million gained

When he was healthy, Royal was such a weapon in the Bears passing attack. Sadly all he was able to offer was fleeting glimpses. He missed almost half of his two seasons in Chicago with a variety of nagging injuries. Now 30-years old, the logical decision is to just cut and run. It’s hard to imagine the trend changing anytime soon.

Lamarr Houston (OLB) – $5.01 million gained

One must feel for the poor guy. It looked like he was starting to figure things out in 2015 with eight sacks. Then he tears an ACL for the second time in three seasons this past year. Houston is a dedicated veteran but pass rushers with bad knees is never a wise investment for any team. Better to seek out younger, healthier options.

Will Sutton (DL) – $1.83 million gained

Another Phil Emery draft pick who never quite reached his full potential. To his credit Sutton did everything in his power to make it work. That included playing a position he was never drafted to play. In the end the Bears will do the right thing by allowing him to find a better scheme fit elsewhere.

New Salary Cap:  $74.56 million