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Bears Must Cut Ten Players Before Next Tuesday


soulman

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The Bears need to cut 10 players ahead of training camp on Tuesday

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With just a couple months until the start of the 2020 NFL season, we still don’t know exactly what it’s going to look like. But with training camp set to begin next Tuesday, we’re getting a clearer look at what that means moving forward.

The NFL and NFLPA agreed to zero preseason games in 2020, which is a blow to late-round draft picks, undrafted free agents and other players looking to make an NFL roster.

As that wasn’t a big blow, NFLPA leadership informed players that rosters will be trimmed from 90 to 80 to start training camp. Which means the Chicago Bears are going to have to cut 10 players by next Tuesday.

There are a handful of undrafted free agents and free-agent additions that could get the ax before ever getting to prove themselves on the practice field. General manager Ryan Pace and head coach Matt Nagy have some tough decisions ahead of them as we approach training camp on Tuesday.

 

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Geez, I though at least a half dozen of you guys would be sharpening your red pencils and looking over the roster by now.

I gotta think at least one or two TEs, a couple of DBs and an OT or two will go.  And do we absolutely need competition for Piniero and a 3rd QB since the preseason is now kaput anyway?

Camp is now gonna be all about getting the team tuned up for the season and sorting out the few spots where there's some serious competition so the need for bodies as camp fodder is lessened.   With 53 on the active roster and another 12 on the PS all but 15 of the 80 we start camp with will get to keep a playbook.

 

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I was just reviewing the CBs and there are eleven on the roster now.

Fuller, Johnson, Tolliver, Roberson, Burns, Skrine, Shelley, Vildor, Denmark, Joseph, and Crawford.

I gotta think Joseph and Crawford will be pre-camp cuts.

Denmark will get a shot because of his size and speed and probably ends up on the PS again.

 

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14 hours ago, Sugashane said:

Not a big surprise but it's going to be annoying if Pace is still committed to the failed Shaheen project. He's not even good depth at this point. 

Ya beat me to it.....😄

https://bearswire.usatoday.com/2020/07/24/three-chicago-bears-tight-ends-have-most-to-gain-from-ben-brauneckers-release/

1. J.P. Holtz

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Quinn Harris-USA TODAY Sports

J.P. Holtz, an undrafted free agent out of Pittsburgh, has a great chance to earn a roster spot in training camp. Holtz was Chicago’s most productive tight end from a statistical standpoint last season, as he had the most snaps and receiving yards of any Chicago tight end last season. While it wasn’t the most impressive performance statistically, Holtz led the team with 91 yards on seven receptions.

Not only is he a terrific blocker, but there were times when Holtz lined up as a fullback last season, and his versatility certainly gives him an edge in the competition. Given the importance of the run game heading into this season, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Holtz grab that final spot.

 

2. Jesper Horsted

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AP Photo/Rick Osentoski

It kind of feels like the seas are parting for former undrafted free agent Jesper Horsted. With Braunecker’s departure, that leaves Horsted as a clear-cut frontrunner to win the fourth tight end spot, especially given he serves as a “U” tight end in Matt Nagy’s offense. In his rookie season, Horsted saw increased action later in the season due to injuries to the team’s top three tight ends. Horsted tallied eight catches for 87 yards and one touchdown in his debut rookie season.

While Horsted isn’t a lock for that final roster spot, his odds certainly increased with Braunecker’s departure. Not only has Horsted shown incredible potential, but the Bears could certainly groom him to take over that starting “U” tight end position after Graham’s time in Chicago is done.

 

3. Adam Shaheen

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AP Photo/Jim Mone

Arguably Chicago’s most maligned tight end, Adam Shaheen faces an uphill battle to win a roster spot in training camp. Shaheen, who has battled injuries throughout his three-year career, hasn’t lived up to his second-round billing. In three seasons with Chicago, Shaheen has tallied 26 receptions for 249 yards and four touchdowns in 27 games.

The Bears have shown every indication that they plan to move on from Shaheen in 2020. The Bears drafted Cole Kmet with their top draft pick and signed free-agent tight end Demetrius Harris in free agency, two players that will serve as “Y” tight ends and are essential locks for a roster spot. But Shaheen’s chances of nabbing that final roster spot are certainly better than before with Braunecker’s release. Although it’s still unlikely that Shaheen survives training camp with a roster spot, especially given some other options on the current roster.

 

 

Edited by soulman
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