I just updated the last week’s worth of moves for the Bears yesterday, but they are still busy churning the bottom of the 90-man roster hoping to catch lighting in a bottle. The Bears signed linebacker Danny Mason for the 2nd time over the last year and veteran offensive lineman Garry Williams. In corresponding moves, the Bears released DL Marquis Jackson and reached an injury settlement with OT Adrian Bellard. I’ll break down each roster move below.
LB Danny Mason was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Broncos in 2015 and bounced between the roster and practice squad before being signed by the Bears in November of last season. He was waived in May to make room for mini-camp standout Jarrett Grace, but was brought back yesterday to add depth at ILB with 4th round pick Nick Kwiatkoski being sidelined with a hamstring injury.
Mason has just average size (6’3, 235) and speed (4.73), but was very productive in college at Texas A&M-Commerce (DII) where he totaled 273 tackles, 24.5 for loss, and made first team all-conference as a junior and senior. He’ll have to prove to be an asset on special teams for a chance to make the roster or even the practice squad.
Tackle Garry Williams spent five years with the Panthers after joining the team as an undrafted free agent in 2009. He appeared in 41 games with 21 starts, mostly at right tackle and right guard. He’s been mediocre at best and is a depth signing to make up for the retirement of Nate Chandler, if he even makes the team. Williams is a veteran, but not starter quality.
By adding both Mason and Williams, the Bears had to make a few cuts to make room on the roster. They released DL Marquis Jackson, the twin brother of Malik Jackson who just signed a monster free agent contract with the Jags. Marquis was impressive in mini-camp and has athletic potential, but hasn’t been able to make an impact in the NFL in five seasons and the Bears weren’t impressed enough to keep him around.
Undrafted free agent OT Adrian Bellard flashed potential early in mini-camp and his movement skills seemed a good fit for new OC Dowell Loggains zone-blocking scheme, but a serious leg injury during training camp on Wednesday likely ended his season and the Bears released Bellard with an injury settlement.
Ultimately none of these moves will have a significant impact on the Bears 2016 season. Mason may make a play or two on special teams and maybe Williams fills in briefly for an injured tackle or guard, but my bet is that neither of these new additions make the final 53-man roster.