Chicago Bears cuts tracker for the 2021 final 53-man roster

We are less than 24 hours away from the NFL deadline mandating all teams to reduce their roster sizes. The Chicago Bears will be busy cutting their roster down to the mandatory 53. The team will be allowed to sign some players back to the practice squad as long as no other team sweeps in and steals them off of waivers, but expect many of these players to no longer be on the team.

This is a time for Ryan Pace and his staff to keep a close eye on who might be made available. As the team is struggling with certain positions, it’s important to see if other teams who may have an excess amount of better talent at those same positions send a player worth claiming off waivers. For example, the Miami Dolphins released center, Matt Skura today. Some were surprised by the move, but it was a cost-cutting move that saved the team over $1 million in salary cap space.

Could the Chicago Bears add a player or two who are cut from another team?

Now, is this the type of player that Ryan Pace and his team should zero in on since the Chicago Bears offensive line has been in shambles? The answer is they should consider the player for a brief moment, decide if he’s worth a further look or not, and then move on, call his agent, or put a claim in on the player if he was placed on waivers. In this case, the Chicago Bears should keep moving. However, there are plenty of other players who could come up who are worth adding to the roster.

For now, we will do our best to keep an eye on the players still on the roster and those who have been cut.

The Chicago Bears roster cut list for 2021

Here are the first few who are no longer with the team.

Javon Wims, WR – Waived

The first move that the Chicago Bears made close to the deadline was waiving Javon Wims. This was inevitable and honestly could have happened before the offseason even started in my opinion.

Chris Lacy, WR – Waived

No surprise here. Too many other wide receivers are more valuable to this team than Chris Lacy. he should land with another team or make the practice squad.

Adam Redmond, C – Waived

Placing Adam Redmond on waivers tells me that the Chicago Bears are confident in Sam Mustipher starting the year at center. With James Daniels and Cody Whitehair both capable of playing center, the depth specific to this position is not really needed.

Dionte Ruffin, DB – Waived

Meh, I don’t really have any comments on this move. Never thought Dionte Ruffin would make the team and I don’t even see room for him on the practice squad. It was weird that the Bears signed him just to waive him four days later though.

Scooter Harrington, TE – Waived

Daniel Archibong, DL – Waived

Neither of these cuts was surprising. The tight end group may be one of the stronger ones on the team and the defensive line is right there with it. Scooter Harrington does not seem like he’s worth a practice squad spot, but we know Matt Nagy loves his tight ends. I agree with Brad Biggs though and would like Daniel Archibong to make the Bears practice squad.

Thomas Graham, Jr., CB – Waived

Seriously!?!? This makes me think that Duke Shelley is once again going to be on the roster. I hope that they keep Marqui Christian at least instead. I am over Shelley and Graham has way more upside. Hopefully, he clears waivers and they sign him to the practice squad.

Riley Ridley, WR – Released

This was one of the players I put on my potential surprise cut list. Ridley deserves to play in the NFL and I hope he finds a better fit on another team. Maybe the Falcons will pair him with his brother Calvin. This means that Dazz Newsome is likely to make the final roster and not be put on the practice squad.

Jon’Vea Johnson, WR – Waived

Another wide receiver is gone, which again points to Dazz Newsome making the final roster. Jon’Vea Johnson had a strong camp and would make a good practice squad candidate.

Dieter Eiselen, C – Waived

Dieter Eiselen would have been the only other backup center behind Sam Mustipher. It appears that the Chicago Bears are either going to look to add someone here or stash Eiselen or Adam Redmond on the practice squad. Alex Bars also spent some time at center during the preseason, or the other option is shifting one of Cody Whitehair or James Daniels to center and plugging one of the guard positions with someone like Bars or Arlington Hambright.

Offensive line depth could be a big issue once again this year.

Tyrone Wheatley, Jr., OL – Waived

Not really a surprise on this one. Tyrone Wheatley, Jr. has not been able to contribute enough and has missed time. Might be a practice squad option though.

Ryan Nall, RB – Waived

The Chicago Bears finally got rid of the fan-favorite running back, Ryan Nall. I had been saying Nall was going to be released all offseason with the emergence of Khalil Herbert and the addition of Damien Williams. The Bears running back group is too strong to keep a special teams running back around any longer.

Sam Kamara, OLB – Waived

Again, another guy we should not be shocked about. Sam Kamara had a solid game versus the Titans and brought some serious pressure despite not getting any sacks. Could be a guy we see move to the practice squad.

Brian Johnson, K – Waived

This was obviously expected, but the rookie kicker looked great this offseason and I would not be surprised if he lands with another team quickly. Joey Slye for example in Carolina was struggling this offseason and was released a few days ago. It’s possible other teams could bring Brian Johnson in to fight for their starting spot.

James Vaughters, OLB – Waived

I have always liked the story of James Vaughters. Glad he got to play some in the NFL. He was a standout CFL player and has bounced around on the Bears’ active roster and practice squad the last couple of years. I don’t expect him to be on the practice squad again this year, but it’s possible.

Charles Snowden, OLB – Waived

I know many, many fans are going to be disappointed about this one. Charles Snowden not being drafted in April/May was shocking. He performed well in preseason and unfortunately, I just did not see him making the final roster either. Let’s hope he clears waivers and can further develop on the Chicago Bears practice squad.

Artavis Pierce, RB – Waived

Figured if the team was to keep five running backs (only had them keeping four), they would have kept Artavis Pierce over Ryan Nall. It will be interesting to see if either or both are signed to the practice squad.

Isaiah Coulter, WR – Waived

Brought in less than two weeks ago and is already on the chopping block. Coulter is a former fifth-round draft pick of the Houston Texans. The hope here is that he could contribute on special teams as a returner. This leaves six wide receivers left on the roster.

Dazz Newsome, WR – Waived

Just like Thomas Graham, fellow sixth-round pick, Dazz Newsome hits the waivers. Also like Graham, the hope here is that Newsome will clear waivers and be put on the practice squad.

This guarantees Rodney Adams a spot on the roster, but will the team only carry five wide receivers into the regular season? That’s all that is left as of now but don’t be surprised if a move or two happens between now and September 12, 2021.

Desmond Trufant, CB – Waived

This is probably a surprise to many, but it should not be. The team has not had an opportunity to really see what Desmond Trufant could do. The passing of his father did not help his situation and as I said in the surprise roster cuts article I posted earlier today, the NFL is a ruthless business. I hope Trufant lands with another team and gets an opportunity.

The Chicago Bears current roster for 2021

DBs

Jaylon Johnson (CB)

Kindle Vildor (CB)

Duke Shelley (CB)

Xavier Crawford (CB)

Artie Burns (CB)

Marqui Christian (CB)

Eddie Jackson (S)

Tashaun Gipson (S)

Deon Bush (S)

DeAndre Houston-Carson (S)