4 veterans the Chicago Bears can cut in 2023 to bolster cap space
By Todd Welter
It would not be crazy to move on from Patrick and Muhammed.
Patrick has played in just seven games and is currently out for the season. When he did play, he was getting pushed around. Sam Mustipher has not been the greatest center, but he has played better with the help of Teven Jenkins. Poles likes Patrick and he is only a $5 million cap hit so maybe he brings Patrick back.
Bears GM Ryan Poles with the quote of the day on Lucas Patrick: “The things he was screaming in the phone after we got a deal done, it kind of showed what he’s all about. … He’s tough, he’s a prick and he knows it, and that’s how he survives and that’s what we need up front.”
— Kevin Fishbain (@kfishbain) March 28, 2022
Then again, Poles only gave Patrick a two-year deal last offseason, so it is not like he is committed to Patrick long term. Poles did draft center Doug Kramer with the 207th pick in last year’s draft. He is currently on injured reserve with a foot injury but a lot of good centers are either late draft picks or undrafted free agents.
Muhammed has not done much since coming to Chicago. He has just one sack for the Bears. He has been part of a poor pass rush. Rookie Jaquin Brisker is currently leading the team in sacks. The problem is Brisker is a safety.
Muhammed has a connection to head coach Matt Eberflus from their days together in Indianapolis. His lack of production outweighs his relationship with Eberflus. Muhammed is a run-of-the-mill rotational defensive end.
Poles could easily find his replacement. It is safe to assume that Patrick and Muhammed are two easily replaceable players.