69 days until Chicago Bears 2017 season kicks off: C.J. Wilson profile
The Bear Goggles On Countdown to Kickoff series is now underway for the second season in a row. With 69 days to go until the Bears season kicks off, we will highlight the Bears player that is wearing number 69, defensive lineman, C.J. Wilson.
2016 Review
Wilson spent his preseason with the Saints before being cut right before the season. The Bears jumped on him after an injury to Eddie Goldman and injuries throughout the line wound up forcing the Bears to activate Wilson for the final six games, and even starting one. Wilson is 30 years old now, he has 20 career starts and has been on four different teams in the past two seasons.
2017 Outlook
His situation forces 2017 to be a very critical one for him. The Bears are hoping that Goldman will be back and healthy. That is what even got him a chance. They also added in Jaye Howard, Kapron Lewis-Moore, and John Jenkins to beef up the competition. They are also likely hoping for Jonathan Bullard to take a step forward in year two, and he could become a breakout player. It means Wilson will be fighting for his roster spot life, a place he was in this time last year.
Wilson is obviously on a year by year basis as he fights for his job. He is owed only $180K if cut this offseason and would save the team roughly $500k. He is not signed past this season, so if Howard and Goldman are healthy and Lewis-Moore makes a push, it is tough to envision Wilson being here in September, let alone beyond next year.
Of course, Wilson is going to get his chance to make this team. He has 69 days from now to earn a roster spot, and while the odds are against him, it comes down to him as to whether or not he can take a big step forward and make a statement to keep a roster spot.