Mark Sanchez saved Connor Shaw’s job, for now

An OTA injury to Mark Sanchez caused the Bears to make some unexpected roster moves

The Chicago Bears team account reported that the team had waived Connor Shaw. Shaw had sent his goodbyes. However, later that day Mark Sanchez suffered a knee injury and is expected to miss the rest of OTAs.

The injury is not expected to hold Sanchez out into training camp or the season. Still, in cutting Shaw, the Bears went all-in on their three quarterbacks and their status on the team. Any injury at any point was going to bite the Bears, and it did within hours of the move. The Bears had to bring back Connor Shaw.

The team had to make a correlating move to retain Shaw. They waived undrafted wide receiver Jhajuan Seales and rescinded the waiver request on Connor Shaw.

As for Seales, he was a long shot to make the practice squad. The Bears wide receiver depth chart is much deeper, and he was likely a camp body. Even with a healthy Sanchez, it is a surprise that the team did not cut him rather than Shaw in the first place. There is no reason to only carry three quarterbacks this short into the season.

As for Shaw, it is still hard to say that his chances of making the 53-man roster have improved by any stretch. Even with Sanchez missing time, it is not a valuable amount, and he should be fine as a third-string, emergency quarterback. Retaining Shaw is a safety precaution and one they should have been taking in the first place.

Next: Quarterback depth chart is set

If the injury to Sanchez lingers into the preseason, it would be time to start taking notice. Until then, Shaw has a long way to go to prove himself. He should understand that, knowing that the Bears first intention was to cut him before Jhajuan Seales.