Chicago Bears cuts tracker for the 2021 final 53-man roster
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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.
#Bears roster moves:
— Bears Communications (@BearsPR) August 26, 2021
We have waived WR Javon Wims and have signed DB Dionte Ruffin.
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.
#Bears have started making some roster moves. WR Chris Lacy will be placed on waivers. Team must reduce roster to 53 players by 3 pm Tuesday.
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) August 30, 2021
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.
#Bears have informed OL Adam Redmond he will be placed on waivers
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) August 30, 2021
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.
The Bears are waiving DB Dionte Ruffin, per source.
— Jason Lieser (@JasonLieser) August 30, 2021
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.
Add DL Daniel Archibong to the list of players headed to waivers for #Bears. Had a nice preseason and an undrafted rookie. Likely practice squad signing somewhere.
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) August 30, 2021
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.
#Bears have informed CB Thomas Graham Jr, a 6th round pick this year, he will be placed on waivers. Would expect they will try to bring him back on practice squad to further develop him.
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) August 31, 2021
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.
The #Bears are releasing Riley Ridley, former 4th round pick and Calvin’s younger brother, source said.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 31, 2021
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.
#Bears have informed WR Jon'Vea Johnson he will be placed on waivers. Figure there is a chance he could be a practice squad candidate.
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) August 31, 2021
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.
#Bears have informed OL Dieter Eiselen he will be placed on waivers.
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) August 31, 2021
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.
#Bears have informed OL Tyrone Wheatley Jr. he will be placed on waivers. He's been ill for the last couple weeks. Worth wondering if he's a lineman the team would like to try to continue to develop.
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) August 31, 2021
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.
The #Bears cut RB Ryan Nall, source said.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 31, 2021
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.
#Bears are placing OLB Sam Kamara on waivers. He showed a little in preseason and could be another candidate for the practice squad.
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) August 31, 2021
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.
#Bears have informed K Brian Johnson he will be placed on waivers. He was impressive in preseason and training camp and if they opt for a kicker on the practice squad, the Virginia Tech rookie could be their man.
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) August 31, 2021
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.
#Bears have informed OLB James Vaughters he will be placed on waivers. He's done a couple stints with the team and could potentially return to the practice squad.
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) August 31, 2021
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.
#Bears have informed OLB Charles Snowden he will be placed on waivers. Hunch is he will be a practice squad candidate provided he goes unclaimed.
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) August 31, 2021
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.
#Bears will place RB Artavis Pierce on waivers with strong possibility he returns to practice squad. With Ryan Nall also waived, worth wondering if team goes heavy at tight end.
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) August 31, 2021
Jesper Horsted made a big statement in preseason finale and could find himself on the 53-man roster.
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.
#Bears have informed WR Isaiah Coulter he will be placed on waivers. They recently claimed him from the #Texans and I suspect they would like to get a longer look at him on the practice squad.
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) August 31, 2021
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.
The #Bears are waiving rookie WR Dazz Newsome, per source. The sixth-round pick from North Carolina is wanted back on the practice squad, but he'd have to clear waivers first.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 31, 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.
Bears released CB Desmond Trufant today, per source. Trufant left Chicago on Aug. 13 to be with his father, who passed away on Aug. 15, and he remained with his family during camp. Trufant still owed $3.5 million from the Lions, but wants to continue playing.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 31, 2021
The Chicago Bears current roster for 2021
- Andy Dalton
- Justin Fields
- Nick Foles
- David Montgomery
- Tarik Cohen – Placed on PUP List
- Damien Williams
- Khalil Herbert
- Allen Robinson
- Darnell Mooney
- Marquise Goodwin
- Damiere Byrd
- Breshad Perriman
- Nsimba Webster
- Cole Kmet
- Jimmy Graham
- Jesse James
- Jesper Horsted
- J.P. Holtz
- Jason Peters (OT)
- Cody Whitehair (OG)
- Sam Mustipher (C)
- James Daniels(OG)
- Germain Ifedi (OT)
- Larry Borom (OT)
- Elijah Wilkinson (OT)
- Teven Jenkins (OT) – Placed on IR/Designated to Return
- Lachavious Simmons (OT)
- Alex Bars (OG)
- Akiem Hicks (DE)
- Mario Edwards, Jr. (DE) – Placed on reserve/suspended list
- Bilal Nichols (DE)
- Angelo Blackson (DE)
- Eddie Goldman (DT)
- Khyiris Tonga (DT)
- Roquan Smith (ILB)
- Danny Trevathan (ILB) – Placed on IR/ Designated to Return
- Alec Ogletree (ILB)
- Christian Jones (ILB)
- Joel Iyiegbuniwe (ILB)
- Caleb Johnson (ILB)
- Josh Woods (ILB)
- Khalil Mack (OLB)
- Robert Woods (OLB)
- Jeremiah Attaochu (OLB)
- Trevis Gipson (OLB)
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)
Next. Predicting the Bears offensive depth chart. dark
- Cairo Santos (K)
- Patrick Scales (LS)
- Pat O’Donnell (P)