5 veteran players the Chicago Bears can do without in 2022

The Chicago Bears could do without linebacker Jeremiah Attaochu

This offseason is surely all about building around Justin Fields, but one underrated aspect of the Bears’ new leadership crew is the fact that Matt Eberflus runs a 4-3 defense. The Bears are going to be switching to that scheme as opposed to the 3-4 they have run for a little while now.

Doing so will require the Bears to get the right players for the scheme, though, and veteran outside linebacker Jeremiah Attaochu isn’t exactly cut out for the role he would have to play. In this new scheme, Attaochu either has to line up as a strong-side linebacker who would drop into coverage, or play with his hand in the dirt as a backup defensive end. Again, he functions better as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme.

If the Bears cut Attaochu after June 1, they would save $2.7 million against the cap. That’s a decent number for a backup linebacker and someone who isn’t going to do the Bears any favors in their new scheme.

Attaochu only appeared in five games last year due to an injury he sustained, therefore his signing looks like a swing and a miss. Cutting ties would serve the Bears well.