Chicago Bears Release Defensive Lineman Ego Ferguson
The Chicago Bears have released defensive lineman Ego Ferguson.
When Vic Fangio came to the Chicago Bears prior to the 2015 season, he brought along his 3-4 defense. Transitioning to a 3-4 to a 4-3 was a big change that we are still seeing take place today and it hurt the development of certain players who are best-suited to play in a 4-3 defense. Ego Ferguson is a player who was among the most impacted by this change.
The Bears selected Ferguson out of LSU in the second round (51st overall) of the 2014 NFL Draft. He showed some flashes as a rookie but really did not fit well anywhere in Fangio’s 3-4 defense. On Friday, after Ferguson only played in 20 games for the franchise, the Chicago Bears waived the former second-round pick.
The defensive scheme change cannot be fully blamed for Ferguson’s lack of success with the Bears. In 2015, he only played in four games because of a knee injury. Last season, he missed the entire year with a serious should injury.
Ferguson is a big and physical defensive lineman who showed a bit of burst off of the snap. That is what made him so enticing to the Bears in the 2014 draft. However, he just could not stay on the field enough to make an impact.
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The Bears moving on from Ferguson is not a major surprise. They have a solid defensive line rotation led by Akiem Hicks and Eddie Goldman. That being said, does this release make it more likely that the Bears take a defensive lineman in the 2017 NFL Draft? I doubt it because Ferguson was not expected to play a major role regardless. That being said, freeing up space does not make it less likely.
The obvious connection here is Alabama defensive lineman Jonathan Allen, who was commonly connected to the Bears early in the 2017 NFL Draft process. Allen was arguably the best player in college football last season, consistently dominating up front for Alabama. He would theoretically be an ideal fit as a five-technique defensive end in the Bears’ 3-4 defense.
That being said, shoulder injuries suffered in college have many concerned about Allen’s long-term value. Plus, his below average showing at the combine shined a light on his limited upside.
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Allen may still be in the mix for the Bears at number three, but guys like Deshaun Watson, Jamal Adams and Solomon Thomas are probably more likely.