The Bears have placed starting center Lucas Patrick on injured reserve, ending his 2023 NFL season a day early. Obviously, this doesn’t mean much as Patrick will only miss one game and Chicago is already mathematically eliminated from the playoffs. The move is a common one seen this week as many teams will utilize IR to help lock promising practice squad players down on active roster contracts.
For the Bears, that player seems to be practice squad cornerback Greg Stroman. With Patrick vacating a spot on the active roster, Stroman has signed to the 53-man squad for this week. In two years with the Bears, Stroman has appeared in nine games, making two starts. In each of those two starts, Stroman has recorded an interception. With Stroman now on the active roster, Chicago will have an opportunity to keep him away from free agency in the offseason, essentially guaranteeing him another year with the Bears, if that’s what they agree to.
With Patrick unavailable, practice squad center Doug Kramer has been called up as a standard gameday elevation to provide some depth on the interior offensive line. Joining Kramer as a one-week elevation will be cornerback Christian Matthew.
Well there you go UncleMike…Kramer may finally get to play.
Uncle Mike is Kramer’s dad. Mike Kramer
Yeah because why would you want to evaluate your personnel in the later stage of the season and instead play somebody who is pathetic and horrible? Yeah I guess I’m just completely mad. The only problem is now they’ll play Feeney who the last time he played was a C who couldn’t remember the snap count even though it’s like his main job. The only bad thing is it doesn’t say released and sent to Siberia. Just says put on IR. Not far enough.
I am sure there has been plenty of evaluation going on during practices. He must be lower than pathetic and horrible.
Kenny Clark would throw Kramer around like a rag doll
Like Patrick wouldn’t? Guys have been throwing Patrick into Fields all year.
I’m having a moral dilemna today. Whether to root for the Bears to beat the Packers and sent the Bratheads packing, Pun intended, And wanting for the Bears to lose for a better 2nd pick? Who am I kidding, It’s only a couple of spots. Send the Brats home.
Today’s loss vs the Packers exposed the Bears two greatest weaknesses: their O-line pass blocking and WRs inability to create separation. Few QBs could’ve done much more than Fields today.
They have 2+ O-line starters on a playoff type team, needing a franchise type LT to move Braxton to LG or swing tackle. Center is clearly a must, and Jenkins plays better at RG, where he’d be better paired with Darnell Wright. Jenkins was brutal today vs the Packers, and Nate Davis took himself out early, cementing himself as Poles’ worst FA signing. They clearly need help there.
Also, their WRs were seemingly blanketed all game, where only QB movement and broken routes resulted in big plays. They need at least 2 new starting WRs, no question.
Both needs point to a trade down to amass draft capital. Alt & Adunze would be my targets at #3-6 and #9, hopefully adding a second & third this year, plus future first(s). NE looks to me to be the desperate team that will pony up after moving on from BB.