Chicago Bears: Five players the Bears will likely cut before the season

(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Josh Sitton

Much like the Matt Slauson move a few years ago, this one would fall under the “somewhat” surprising category just on principle. Sitton is one of the Chicago Bears’ better offensive linemen, and going into the season without him decreases the stability, in theory, of the offensive interior.

Throw in the fact that they’d need to cut him by March 9 to save on his $8 million option, and that’s a big gamble.

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However, there are reasons for why the Bears would elect to do this.

For one, it obviously saves quite a bit of money and creates more cap space. Of course, that may or may not matter a ton this year. But with the Bears likely to sniff around free agents like Jarvis Landry, who will want $14+ million per year, that cash could come in handy.

Also, Sitton hasn’t proven overly durable in his two seasons with Chicago, missing six games since he got here. With Kyle Long missing significant time as well and facing an uncertain future health-wise, the Bears need guys who can play every week, especially up front.

If Sitton can’t give the Chicago Bears that, he’s not worth that money, especially at age 32.

That said, if the Bears do cut him, they had better sign someone in free agency, draft Quenton Nelson or hope that Jordan Morgan can get good fast.