Tag: Angelo Blackson

Bears 2023 free agency preview: Angelo Blackson is out the door

Angelo Blackson went from Week 1 starter to healthy scratch as the year wore on. His days as a Bear are likely over.

NFL free agency will be here before we know it, and the Chicago Bears have plenty of players set to hit the market. From key starters to valuable reserves, general manager Ryan Poles will have important decisions to make about who to bring back.

Here at Bears Wire, we’re going through each individual player and breaking down their 2022 performance and whether or not they fit in the Bears’ long-term plans.

Our next player is Angelo Blackson, a defensive lineman who saw his snaps diminish as the season went on and is on his way out of Chicago.

8 pending free agents the Bears should let walk in 2023

Ahead of free agency, we’re looking at some in-house free agents the Bears shouldn’t re-sign in 2023.

The offseason is in full swing, and we’re just over a month away from the start of the new league year and free agency. And the Bears have some important decisions to make when it comes to in-house free agents.

The Bears are slated to have nearly $98.6 million in salary cap space — which is the most in the league (by a wide margin) — and there are plenty of holes to fill on the roster for new general manager Ryan Poles. Perhaps a few of those roster spots will be filled by some of Chicago’s in-house free agents, including some key contributors from last season that could be back as starters or reserves.

Ahead of free agency, we’re looking at some in-house free agents the Bears should let walk in 2023.

Bears injury, absence updates from Day 8 of training camp

Bears rookie CB Kyler Gordon is among the players not practicing on Friday. And, surprise, Teven Jenkins missed his seventh practice.

The Chicago Bears returned to the practice field on Friday for their eighth training camp practice, where the pads on are for the third straight workout.

While offensive tackle Teven Jenkins has missed his seventh straight practice, there were some other notable absences and apparent injuries.

The Bears have a long list of players who aren’t practicing on Friday, including several cornerbacks. Rookie Kyler Gordon, Kindle Vildor and Duke Shelley aren’t participating, which is concerning given the team is already without Thomas Graham Jr., who’s nursing a hamstring injury.

Defensive end Robert Quinn, defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga, tight end James O’Shaughnessy, wide receiver Dante Pettis and linebacker C.J. Avery were also not practicing.

Center Lucas Patrick remains sidelined with a right hand injury, and linebacker Roquan Smith remains on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list.

The good news? Defensive tackle Angelo Blackson and rookie tight end Chase Allen returned to practice after missing a few days.

Follow along with live updates from the eighth practice of Bears training camp below:

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Bears 2022 training camp preview: Interior defensive line

We’re taking a look at the Bears defensive line ahead of training camp and examining the biggest question facing the position group.

Chicago Bears training camp is less than a month away, so it’s time to start looking ahead at the roster the team is bringing to Lake Forest.

This time we’re looking at the interior defensive line. Historically a strength of the Bears, this year’s position group gives cause for concern. Many current players on the roster either haven’t played in a 4-3 since college or are not 4-3 defensive linemen.

The most significant signing this offseason was Justin Jones at three-technique after the failed physical of Larry Ogunjobi. Jones fits the mold of the linemen previously mentioned. He’s a 3-4 defensive tackle being asked to play in a 4-3.

Most of the defensive linemen on the roster will have low sack totals and low-pressure rates. It’s a combination of playing interior defensive line and playing in a system where linemen are asked to take on blocks, not penetrate and make disruptive plays.

Let’s look at the interior defensive line heading into training camp.

7 most intriguing position battles to watch at 2022 Bears training camp

We’re taking a look at the most intriguing position battles heading into Bears training camp later this month.

The Chicago Bears are set to report to training camp on July 26, and there will be no shortage of position battles to watch as camp and the preseason unfolds. There are not only starting jobs on the line but roster spots, as well.

With a new regime in place, there’s been some notable roster turnover this offseason, which includes a lot of players on one-year, prove-it deals. But there’s also plenty of young talent on the roster looking to establish themselves as long-term starters.

Here’s a look at the most intriguing position battles heading into Bears training camp later this month, from offensive line to defensive end to wide receiver.

Updated look at Bears interior defensive line depth after Mike Pennel signing

Following the Mike Pennel signing, here’s a look at where the Bears’ interior defensive line depth stands.

The Chicago Bears added more depth along the interior of the defensive line with the signing of nose tackle Mike Pennel on Monday night.

Pennel is back for his second stint in Chicago after being on the roster last training camp. He landed on injured reserve and was released in late August. Now, he’s reunited with general manager Ryan Poles, who knew Pennel from his time with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Head coach Matt Eberflus explained there will be a rotation along the defensive line this season. Pennel is a welcome addition to the roster, where he’ll be battling Khyiris Tonga for the starting nose tackle job.

Following the signing of Pennel, here’s a look at the Bears’ interior defensive line depth:

Updated look at Bears interior defensive line depth following Eddie Goldman’s release

With Eddie Goldman’s impending release, here’s a look at where the Bears interior defensive line depth stands.

It’s been a busy couple of days for the Chicago Bears, where general manager Ryan Poles has made some tough but necessary decisions on the roster.

The Bears traded pass rusher Khalil Mack to the Los Angeles Chargers for a 2022 second-round pick, a 2023 sixth-round selection and taking on the remainder of his contract. They followed that up with the release of running back Tarik Cohen, who’s yet to pass a physical. But they didn’t stop there.

Chicago is releasing defensive tackle Eddie Goldman, who was slated to have a $11.8 million salary cap hit in 2022. It’s a move that wasn’t a surprise given his cap hit and the switch to a 4-3 scheme.

But where does that leave the Bears with the interior defensive line? Not only is Goldman gone, but Akiem Hicks and Bilal Nichols are headed to free agency.

With Goldman moving on, here is how the interior defensive line depth chart is shaking out prior to free agency officially getting underway:

Bears 2021 DL review: Who sticks around in Matt Eberflus’ defense?

We’re taking a look at how the Bears defensive line fared in 2021.

The Chicago Bears wrapped another disappointing season that resulted in the firings of general manager Ryan Pace and head coach Matt Nagy. With the offseason in full swing, it provides an opportunity for the new regime in GM Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus to look back at went right, what went wrong and how to improve in 2022.

Here at Bears Wire, we’re going position by position through the 2021 Bears and grading every player. Now that we’ve gone through the offense, it’s time to shift our focus to the defense, beginning with the defensive line. With the change in scheme and pending free agents on the line, we may have seen the last of quite a few of these players.

PREVIOUS POSITION REVIEWS: QB, RB, WR, TE, OL

Studs and duds from Bears’ collapse vs. Vikings in season finale

The Bears blew a halftime lead against the Vikings in their finale. In the midst of the disaster, there were some standout performances.

The Chicago Bears’ 2021 season finally came to an end on Sunday, and given the craziness that has taken place over the last month and a half at Halas Hall, it could not have come any sooner.

The Bears took on the Minnesota Vikings in a game that meant nothing other than the fact that it’s likely the final game for both head coaches.

It was Nagy, however, who had the upper hand early as the Bears took a 14-3 lead into halftime. But things deteriorated quickly in the second half as Mike Zimmer’s Vikings scored 28 points to win 31-17.

It was a sloppy game filled with awful decision making, protection issues, and a second half collapse that would put to rest any lingering doubt of the changes that must be made this week.

But in the midst of this disaster, some players have actually stood out for having very solid performances. Here are the studs and duds for the final time this season.

Bears’ Angelo Blackson off to strong start vs. Vikings

Bears DE Angelo Blackson has a career-high two sacks so far against the Vikings.

Bears defensive end Angelo Blackson has played a key role as a rotational piece along the defensive line this season. But he’s certainly made an impression in the last two games, including Sunday’s finale against the Vikings.

Blackson has two sacks against Minnesota, which is a career high, along with two QB hits and one tackle-for-loss. Blackson now has three sacks in the last two games.

There are big changes facing the defensive line next season, as Akiem Hicks and Bilal Nichols are both free agents, while nose tackle Eddie Goldman could become a cap casualty, as he’ll have a $11.8 million cap hit in 2022. Nichols could certainly be signed to an extension.

Blackson signed a two-year deal last offseason, which means he’ll be on the roster in 2022 with a $3 million cap hit. Blackson, Goldman, Mario Edwards and Khyiris Tonga are the current defensive linemen under contract for 2022.

The Bears lead the Vikings 3-0 in the second quarter.

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