Why the Chicago Bears releasing this player was no surprise

The Chicago Bears released Jeremiah Attoachu in a move to make way for nose tackle Mike Pennel. Pennel spent the summer with the Chicago Bears last season, and adding depth on the defensive line makes still. Still, in the release of Attaochu they did let go of a known commodity and a player who will probably wind up making another team’s 53-man roster.

The decision was not hard to make, as the Bears were turning in a different direction than Attaochu. Attaochu noted that if he stuck with the Chicago Bears this season it would be the first time he played in a 4-3 defense since college.

This is a player who was signed to fill a role that a Vic Fangio defense needs, and his role is a fish out of water in the new Matt Eberflus defense. Attaochu was in good spirits during OTAs and tried to spin the change positively.

Still, anyone who has watched him play knows that his best traits come from what is asked of 3-4 outside linebacker. He sets the edge, drops into coverage, and rushes best when standing up. All of this pointed to him getting released sooner than later.

Beyond that, he was already fifth on the edge rusher depth chart. Robert Quinn and Trevis Gipson were ahead of him last seasons. Then, the new coaching staff brought in Al-Quadin Muhammad, who started for the Colts last season. They also drafted Dominique Robinson, a project, but a scheme fit nonetheless.

The Bears were either going to waste snaps that were not developing Robinson and were forcing Attaochu to play out of his best role, or they could cut Attaochu, and use the snaps to get Robinson ready to make an impact as a fourth rusher.

The Bears were not only helping themselves but helping Attaochu. Attaochu was being a great sport about it and was saying all the right things, but what was he going to do, request a release? He did everything they asked of him, and now the Bears are doing him a favor by letting him sign with a team that actually could use him in the right way.

They are doing this before training camp, giving Attoachu plenty of time to make another team’s roster.T hese small moves by Ryan Poles will help him build karma in the long run. Agents, and eventually free agents notice these things.