Chicago Bears Waive Tracy Porter

The Chicago Bears have waived Tracy Porter.

The signings of Marcus Cooper and Prince Amukamara apparently made Tracy Porter expendable for the Chicago Bears, as they waived the veteran CB today.

Porter was a full-time starter for the Bears each of the last two years, playing in 28 of 30 games.  While with the Bears, he averaged nearly 40 tackles per season.  Where Porter lacked, however, is in the turnover department.  The Chicago Bears apparently need more than 3 interceptions in two years from their starting defensive backs.

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Aside from Cooper and Amukamara, the Chicago Bears have also signed B. W. Webb.  With Kyle Fuller on the final year of his rookie deal, he’s likely to be fighting for his next contract.  Add in Cre’von LeBlanc and there are several players with promise at the CB position.

Salary Cap Implications

The likely cause for Porter’s release is financial.  He only accounts for $300K in dead cap, and saves over $3M for this upcoming year’s cap.

Porter had the 10th richest contract on the team (excluding free agents signed this year).

Future Implications

Look for the Bears to add a CB in this year’s upcoming draft.  Prior to his release, Porter was one of the five players likely vying for serious playing time at his position.  Now it appears that LeBlanc and Fuller will probably attempt to prove themselves against probable starters Cooper and Amukamara.

Many view the 2017 NFL Draft as deep at CB.  Three separate NFL executives pointed to CB as the deepest position in the draft.  The Chicago Bears are likely to add one more body to their overhaul of the secondary, and they’d be wise to wait.

Highlights

If not for an atrocious call that favored the Packers (what’s new?), Porter would have one more interception on his Chicago Bears resume.  As it stands, however, his best play is an acrobatic interception in the end zone against the Jaguars last year, and his legacy will be the Brett Favre retirement ceremony spoiler.  That kind of legacy makes him an unforgettable Chicago Bear.

Best of luck to Tracy Porter moving forward.