Chicago Bears: 10 players who won’t be on the roster in 2024
By Ryan Heckman
Justin Jones won’t be on the Chicago Bears roster in 2024
Veteran defensive tackle Justin Jones was signed to a two-year deal last offseason, which means this coming season is his last on the books. Jones is 26 years old and, while that still leaves him plenty of years left in the NFL, he won’t be with the Bears.
Jones was atrocious in 2022 and could even see his starting spot lost to a guy behind him like rookie Zacch Pickens. Jones was especially bad against the run, and if you watched that Bears run defense last year, you understand that this was a paint point all around. Chicago cannot afford to keep lackluster players around, and Jones will serve his time in 2023 as a rotational player. But, that will be it.
Lucas Patrick won’t be on the Chicago Bears roster in 2024
Like Cody Whitehair, Lucas Patrick is getting up there in age. He will be 30 years old in July. His contract is also good through just the 2023 season, which means the Bears would have to choose to re-sign a 30-year-old offensive lineman in 2024, which doesn’t seem to fit what Ryan Poles is looking to do with this roster.
The offensive line is going to continue taking shape over the next season or so, but the interior is going to be the area where Chicago focuses in on next offseason. The tackle position is set, at least that’s the hope. With Whitehair and Patrick gone next year, though, that’s going to be the area Poles hones in on.