Chicago Bears were wise to cut veteran Buster Skrine
By Ryan Taylor
The Chicago Bears have decided to cut veteran cornerback Buster Skrine after spending two seasons with the Bears as their nickel cornerback, according to Adam Schefter.
Skrine, 31, was originally drafted in the fifth round of the 2011 NFL draft by the Cleveland Browns. He spent four seasons each with the Browns and the New York Jets, before signing a three-year deal in 2019 with the Bears.
General manager Ryan Pace signed Skrine to a three-year $16.5 million deal in 2019. By cutting Skrine, the Bears will owe $3.3 million in dead cap this offseason, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. However, this move cleared up $5 million in cap space for the Bears.
In his two seasons in Chicago, Skrine certainly had his struggles as the nickel corner. He played 28 total games and never recorded a single interception. He did, however, record three total forced fumbles and 114 tackles in his two seasons here, while playing under 70% of snaps in the last two seasons.
Bears are releasing veteran CB Buster Skrine, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 1, 2021
Last season, Skrine struggled endlessly in pass coverage. He was targeted 64 times throughout 12 games in the regular season and allowed an astonishing 78.1% completion percentage to opponents when targeted. Along with that, he allowed 507 yards, accumulating to 10.1 yards per completion allowed. Yikes.
It was visible all season that Skrine was struggling in man-to-man coverage. Skrine also dealt with injury this year, missing the last four regular-season games and the NFC wild-card game against the New Orleans Saints due to concussion protocol.
This was an excellent move for Pace and the front office. Skrine never panned out enough to be a full-time corner in the starting lineup. He did start in seven games during his time here, but his inability to cover receivers was disappointing for the defense.
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The question now remains, who will take over his position? Bears fans got a good look at the two youngest prospects in that arena last season, Duke Shelley and Kindle Vildor. Deon Bush is another name that could come down to that position. Knowing Pace, he should be able to find a quick replacement in free agency or in-house.