Chicago Bears Release Linebacker Jerrell Freeman
The Chicago Bears are parting ways with inside linebacker Jerrell Freeman.
In a move that shouldn’t really surprise anyone, the Chicago Bears are parting ways with inside linebacker Jerrell Freeman. Freeman, who spent two seasons in Chicago, missed most of last season after getting put on injured reserve in Week 2with a torn pectoral muscle. Freeman served a ten game suspension for his second violation of the NFL’s substance abuse policy. Freeman missed four games in 2016 for a PED violation before his second rip in 2017.
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Chicago Bears GM Ryan Pace signed Freeman to a three-year contract before the 2016 season to shore up the inside linebacking corp, pairing him with fellow free agent Danny Trevathan. Freeman led the Bears in tackles in 2016 with 86 solo and 24 assisted tackles despite missing four games.
After getting suspended for the second time, Freeman admitted to taking pills to deal with concussion symptoms and all but knew his days with the Bears were probably over:
"“That being said there’s no excuse to cope with any problems by taking any kind of pills. I don’t know my future but a big thanks to the Bears and the NFL, if I would have used their programs and services earlier than I did I wouldn’t be in this situation. Sorry again for the distraction.”"
By cutting Freeman, the Bears save $3.5 million in salary cap space. Expect Nick Kwiatkowski to be penciled into Vic Fangio’s defense as a starting inside linebacker. Christian Jones, who emerged last season in Freeman’s absence, could be a contender to step into a more prominent role, but he’s a free agent.
Freeman spent three seasons with the Indianapolis Colts where he topped 100 total tackles three times before coming to the Bears.