Bears LB Jerrell Freeman Suspended
Bears linebacker Jerrell Freeman has been suspended for the next four games for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs.
Of course, this comes on the heels of Alshon Jeffery‘s four-game suspension for PEDs. Jeffery claimed that he accidentally ingested a banned substance, but it remains to be seen what Freeman’s defense will be.
Freeman has established himself as one of Chicago’s top defenders, so his absence will definitely be noticed. Between the two bans, the Bears are now missing two of their very best players in the second half of the season. Of course, at 2-8, the Bears aren’t playing for much at this juncture, but it’s still bad for morale and not a good look for John Fox & Co.
Freeman came to the Bears on a three-year deal worth $12MM this March. The pact includes $6MM in guaranteed money and those terms may change following Freeman’s suspension. Already a solid inside linebacker heading into 2015, Freeman took his play to another level by significantly improving his play against the run. This year, he took another leap forward and currently stands as PFF’s No. 2 ranked linebacker in the NFL. He is topped only by Luke Kuechly of the Panthers. Sadly, both players are in for extended absences, but for different reasons.
Bears TE Zach Miller Done For Season
Bears tight end Zach Miller broke his right foot in today’s game against the Giants and will miss the remainder of the season, head coach John Fox told reporters, including Rich Campbell of the Chicago Tribune (Twitter link).
[RELATED: Chicago Bears Depth Chart]
Miller, 32, was a breakout performer during the 2015 season after spending three years out of the NFL, hauling in five touchdowns as Chicago’s second tight end. Following the trade of Martellus Bennett in the offseason, Miller became the Bears’ primary TE, and had followed up last year with another solid season. Through nine games, Miller had managed 44 receptions for 425 yards and three scores. Miller agreed to a two-year contract this spring, so he’s signed through the 2017 campaign, during which he’ll have a cap charge of $3MM.
With a record of 2-8, the Bears are going nowhere fast, but they could ill afford another loss on the offensive side of the ball after wide receiver Alshon Jeffery got hit with a four-game PED suspension last week. Chicago already has three other tight ends — Logan Paulsen, Ben Braunecker, and Daniel Brown — but each is more of a blocker/special teamer than a receiving threat.
Bears Promote Defensive LIneman
- The Bears promoted defensive lineman Jimmy Staten from their practice squad and cut cornerback De’Vante Bausby, Rich Campbell of the Chicago Sun-Times reports (on Twitter). Like Hill, Staten is a former Seahawks draft choice, arriving in Seattle via fifth-round pick in 2014. A product of Division II Pittsburg State, Bausby has a seven-tackle game to his credit during his rookie season, making seven stops against the Packers last month.
NFL Execs On Tony Romo’s Trade Value
The Cowboys insist that Tony Romo is still a part of their plans going forward, but that hasn’t stopped speculation on whether Romo could be traded this offseason and what his price tag could be. Tom Pelissero of USA Today Sports checked in with a handful of NFL executives to gauge Romo’s trade value and got a wide range of answers. 
[RELATED: Cowboys Organization Torn On Romo, Prescott]
One GM feels the Cowboys could get as much as a second-round pick, provided that the Romo could pass a physical. Another executive predicted the Cowboys could ask for a second or third. Another said a third was the absolute max Dallas could get. Other responses ranged from a sixth-round choice to a conditional late-round pick.
“Imagine me going to [the owner] and saying, ‘Listen, I’m going to make a trade for a 36-year-old that’s got back issues that’s a backup,’ ” one anonymous GM said. “He’d be like, ‘You’re crazy.’ ”
Of course, it’s hard to peg Romo’s value without having a good handle on his health or the quarterback landscape in the offseason. Romo’s market would vary depending on which teams needed a quarterback and exactly how desperate they are. As I have noted before, this year’s draft class is pretty thin at QB, and that could help the Cowboys’ case if they choose to deal their one-time franchise star.
The executives mentioned the Jets, Broncos, Cardinals (if they were to dump Carson Palmer) and Bears as possible suitors. The 49ers need a QB, but as Pelissero notes, Romo isn’t a great fit for Chip Kelly‘s offense.
Latest On Bears’ Jay Cutler
After Chicago’s 36-10 loss to Tampa Bay on Sunday, multiple Bears told Mike Freeman of Bleacher Report via text that quarterback Jay Cutler‘s teammates have given up on him. Head coach John Fox, tight end Zach Miller and defensive lineman Akiem Hicks shot down that notion, and Cutler said Thursday that “I don’t feel like the locker room has ever [given up on me]. I’ve never felt like that in the locker room with those guys.” He also cast doubt on the veracity of the report.
“Unnamed source, I’m guessing?” Cutler asked Jeff Dickerson of ESPN.com. “The source could be a lot of people. It could be a made-up source. It could actually be guys in there. If people actually start putting their names on it, we can have a discussion about it.”
While it’s unknown if some of Cutler’s teammates have indeed quit on him, it’s likely the Bears will at the end of the season. Cutler has been somewhat disappointing since joining Chicago in a blockbuster trade with Denver in 2009, and he and the 2-7 Bears are in the midst of a nightmarish campaign. Cutler, who has only appeared in four games because of a thumb injury, has completed just 59.8 percent of his 107 passes and tossed three touchdowns against four interceptions. Backup Brian Hoyer outperformed Cutler enough in relief that it appeared he’d start if both were healthy, but it became a moot point when Hoyer landed on injured reserve Oct. 24 with a broken left arm.
Hoyer is set to become a free agent after the season, and Cutler looks primed to join him on the open market. While Cutler’s scheduled to count $16MM against the Bears’ cap next season, releasing the soon-to-be 34-year-old would leave the team with just $2MM in dead money in 2017. With the playoffs already out of reach, the draft-minded Bears are doing “extensive research” on Miami quarteback Brad Kaaya and have surely studied other possible Cutler successors as they look toward the future.
Bears Researching Miami QB Brad Kaaya
The Bears are already expressing interest in University of Miami quarterback Brad Kaaya, according to Matt Miller of Bleacher Report (video link), who adds that Chicago is doing “extensive research” on the Hurricanes signal-caller. In addition to attending multiple Miami contests, the Bears staff has been speaking with those close to Kaaya as they continue to look into acquiring a franchise quarterback.
[RELATED: Bears Activate Marquess Wilson]
Of course, selecting a quarterback during the early rounds of the 2017 draft would likely signal the official end of the Jay Cutler era in Chicago, and it’s been clear that a divorce has been coming for some time. The Bears had planned to continue starting Brian Hoyer over Cutler until Hoyer suffered a season-ending injury, and as of late October, were still planning to move on from Cutler after the season. Head coach John Fox has reportedly seen enough, as well, and is apparently “done” with Cutler, who can be released next offseason without Chicago incurring much salary cap damage.
Kaaya, a junior, has completed 61.5% of his passes for Miami this season, posting more than 2,500 yards, 19 touchdowns, and seven interceptions through 10 games. He’s the fourth-ranked quarterback on both Miller and CBSSports.com‘s big boards, behind (in varying order) Notre Dame’s DeShone Kizer, UNC’s Mitch Trubisky, and Clemson’s Deshaun Watson.
Bears Promote Cornelius Edison
- The Bears announced that they’ve promoted offensive lineman Cornelius Edison from the practice squad. He’ll take the place of OL Kyle Long, who was officially placed on IR.
Bears Activate Marquess Wilson
The Bears have made a handful of roster moves today, and the transactions are headlined by the activation of wide receiver Marquess Wilson from the physically unable to perform list, as Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reports (all Twitter links). Additionally, Chicago has placed defensive lineman Will Sutton on injured reserve and signed fellow defensive lineman C.J. Wilson to take his place on the 53-man roster.
[RELATED: Alshon Jeffery Suspended Four Games]
Marquess Wilson, 24, should add a reinforcement at wide receiver now that Alshon Jeffery is set to miss the next month after a PED suspension. Out since the summer with a broken foot, Wilson should immediately slot back into the Bears’ regular receiver rotation. 2015 marked the third NFL season for Wilson, and he turned in a career-high 464 yards off of 28 catches with a touchdown in 11 games. He’ll become a free agent after the season.
Sutton becomes the latest Bear to fall victim to injury, and is now the 12th player Chicago has placed on IR, tweets Biggs. A third-round pick under the club’s previous regime, Sutton was involved in trade rumors this offseason, but ultimately remained in the Windy City. Thus far in 2015, Sutton had appeared in eight games, starting six.
C.J. Wilson, 29, has 78 career games under his belt, with most of that time coming as a rotational option with Packers from 2010-2013. He played in 12 contests in 2015 (eight with the Lions, four with the Raiders), and picked up nine total tackles to go along with one sack. Wilson has bounced on and off Chicago’s roster this season, but hasn’t actually appeared in a game with the Bears.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/15/16
Today’s practice squad moves:
Chicago Bears
- Signed: OL Cyril Richardson, QB Josh Woodrum
Houston Texans
- Signed: RB Kenny Hilliard
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: OL Arturo Uzdavinis
New England Patriots
- Cut: TE Kennard Backman
San Francisco 49ers
- Placed on IR: OL Fahn Cooper
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: DE Kourtnei Brown, RB Russell Hansbrough, OL Kyler Kerbyson
- Cut: S Trae Elston
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: CB Jeremiah McKinnon
- Cut: Cody Riggs
Washington Redskins
- Signed: CB Dashaun Phillips
- Cut: LB Carlos Fields
Alshon Jeffery Suspended 4 Games For PEDs
5Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery has been suspended four games for violating the league’s PED policy, the league announced. This suspension comes at a horrendous time for Jeffery as he is poised to be one of the top players on the free agent market this offseason. As it stands now, Jeffery will be out through Dec. 11th against the Lions. Jeffery could postpone the suspension with an appeal and, of course, could get it overturned if he were to win. 
The Bears have been wrestling with what to do about Jeffery this offseason and today’s PED ban could help inform their decision. Through nine games this year, Jeffery has 40 catches for 630 yards and one touchdown, numbers that are not quite on pace with his best work.
The wideout has released the following statement (via Rand Getlin on Twitter):
“As a professional athlete, I have been careful about what I put in my body. I took a recommended supplement to combat inflammation. Unfortunately this supplement contained an ingredient that was on the NFL’s banned substance list. I take full responsibility and I’m deeply upset with myself for not doing the proper research on this supplement.
I want to apologize to my family, the Bears organization, my teammates, and Bears fans. I will work hard to earn back the respect and trust of the Bears nation and look forward to being back on the field.”
Jeffery broke out in 2013, catching 89 passes for 1,421 yards and seven scores on his way to a Pro Bowl selection. He was also extremely productive in 2014 (less yards, more touchdowns), but his 2015 season was cut short by injury. Now, as Jeffery tries to make his case to be one of the league’s highest-paid receivers, he has likely incurred another major red flag.
Jeffery will miss out on $3.4MM+ in salary during the suspension. This spring, his apparent misstep could cost him much more. After today’s revelation, Jeffery might not get a chance to approach the deals of Julio Jones, Demaryius Thomas, and Dez Bryant.