Bears Must Cut Specialist Who's Become an Absolute Liability With Repeated Mistakes
The Chicago Bears find themselves in the thick of the playoff hunt after starting the season 4-2. As a result, there's been plenty of roster speculation around the team in recent weeks, with the upcoming Nov. 5 trade deadline presenting an opportunity for Chicago to improve.
However, as the Bears head into the second half of their 2024 season, they also must consider what players currently on their roster are holding them back -- and if moving on from them would actually do more good.
One such cut candidate is abundantly obvious after the team's devastating Week 8 loss.
Unnecessary roughness penalty on Daniel Hardy after the play. If you are keeping track at home, that is his 4th penalty on special teams this season.
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) October 27, 2024
Defender Daniel Hardy was flagged for unnecessary roughness on Sunday against the Washington Commanders, giving Chicago's opponent an extra 15 yards on a punt in third quarter. Not only did the penalty put the Commanders on the Bears' side of the field, creating a prime scoring opportunity, but it also marked Hardy's fourth flag on special teams this season.
Even though Hardy got lucky, as Washington didn't turn the premium field position in points, this kind of play simply can't be excused any longer. Special teams requires pin-point execution to ensure one punt or kickoff doesn't change an entire game. Hardy is showing a clear disregard for the importance of these snaps by continually giving the opposing team better field position through penalties.
It's not as though Hardy is some kind of irreplaceable talent, either. He only played six games for the Los Angeles Rams in 2022, then spent the entire 2023 season as a practice squad player in Chicago. The 25-year-old did force a fumble in Week 7 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, but that isn't enough to look past his penalty troubles, especially since special teams is where he plays the majority of snaps.
The Bears clearly have the talent to contend for a playoff spot this year, which should raise expectations of everyone up and down the roster. The fact Hardy isn't rising to the occasion should leave GM Ryan Poles with an easy decision.
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