The Bear Goggles On Countdown to Kickoff series is now underway for the second season in a row. With 99 days to go until the Bears season kicks off, we will highlight the Bears player that is wearing number 99, pass rusher Lamarr Houston.
2016 Review
Lamarr Houston had a disappointing, and injury filled 2016 season. Houston tore his ACL in week two and missed the entire season. After signing a five-year deal in Chicago in 2014, he has missed 22 games due to injury, all coming due to multiple ACL surgeries. His three seasons have added up to 10 starts and nine sacks with the Bears.
2017 Outlook
Houston should have the idea that his roster spot is on the line. He had already downgraded from a starter to a rotational player after his first ACL surgery, he is now entering his age 30 season and may have lost another step.
The Bears drafted Leonard Floyd in 2016 knowing that they needed upgrades on the edge. Willie Young has been a consistent asset and Pernell McPhee when healthy has been a commodity.
Both McPhee and Houston have had injury issues after signing in Chicago. Still, if all four of the starting outside linebackers are healthy Houston is easily now fourth on that list.
That does not even take into account that team re-signed Sam Acho and signed Dan Skuta this offseason. These are players who can make other rosters and expect to make the Bears this season. McPhee could obviously throw a wrench in the depth chart with an injury but it is feasible to see the Bears look at the six potential players and think that Houston is the odd man out.
Next: The Mitchell Trubisky hate must stop
Future with the Bears
The Bears certainly may keep him in 2016, but he would save roughly $4 million to cut this season. However, if they do keep him, cutting him would make free up about $7 million worth of cap space next season. The question now becomes, can a 30-year old Lamarr Houston make the Bears want to spend the money on him. We will see as we are 99 days from the Chicago Bears season beginning.