Chicago Bears Stay or Go: Sherrick McManis

Should the Chicago Bears re-sign Sherrick McManis or let him walk in free agency?

Sherrick McManis has been on the Chicago Bears since 2013. Through coaching staff and General  Mangers, he has hung to his roster spot. However, at age 32, he finished his 2019 season on the IR with a groin injury that he suffered in Week 12.

Adding in his upcoming free agency and there is a legitimate question as to whether or not he played his last down with the team.

What are the pros and cons of re-signing Sherrick McManis?

Stay

There is no denying that when he is active and healthy, he is still a special teams ace. He is a multi-phase player and is a leader in each area. On top of that, he is clearly respected in the locker room to maintain his status for so long.

McManis made an average salary of $1.75 million last season, which is a drop in the salary cap bucket. We know the Bears take special teams seriously with their kicker search and signing Cordarelle Patterson, an All-Pro special teamer. McManis adds to a strong unit, and the Bears would be smart to keep that continuity going.

Go

This is a 32-year-old player who needs groin surgery. Speed is a key part of his role as a special teamer, does he still have that step to him? He played just 26 defensive snaps last season and is behind Duke Shelley in the pecking order to get on the field.

If Shelley is not going to pass up Buster Skrine, he should at least pass McManis as the special teams ace. If McManis is looking for anything over the minimum salary, the Bears should save the precious salary cap space for bigger moves on offense.