Chicago Bears: Most notable roster cuts the team must consider signing
The Chicago Bears could use more experienced inside linebacker depth
James Burgess, ILB
The Bears have four inside linebackers on the roster. The starters, Roquan Smith and Danny Trevathan make a great duo but have had injuries issues in the past. The depth at this position is very uncertain. I like how Joel Iyiegbuniwe has approached this offseason, but he only has 26 defensive snaps to his career. Josh Woods is the other linebacker on the depth chart and he has not played a defensive snap yet in his one-year career.
In my opinion, the team should keep Iyiegbuniwe and place Josh Woods back on the practice squad. This should only happen after the team signs a guy like James Burgess of course. Burgess would be a big upgrade and has plenty of defensive snaps on his resume. He started 10 games last season after C.J. Mosley went down with an injury. He led the team in tackles with 80 (51 solos).
I am not sure why the Jets cut him, but they seem to be dismantling their defense and the Chicago Bears should take advantage. Burgess is even a guy I’d make a claim on at this point. He is not the best pass defender although he did have an interception and five passes defended. His experience alone makes me feel better about the depth if he was signed.