10 Bears Who Won't Return Next Season
By Thomas Erbe
5. Patrick Scales
Patrick Scales has been an unsung hero in Chicago for the Bears for seven years. As a long snapper, it's understood how thankless a job it is on a football team. But think of how many times the Bears have had to punt in the past seven seasons. This man has been putting in overtime hours.
Scales entered the league undrafted and bounced around several teams before coming to Chicago in 2015. He has also been a victim of the inconsistency on the Bears' offensive line during his time in Chicago.
He spent time as the long snapper and at center while the Bears desperately tried to search for a winning formula. Some successful seasons were snuck in there, but he made the most of his money on the punt team.
Scales will be 36 when the 2024 season begins. Playing on the line can take its toll on a body, especially as beat up as the Bears' line seems to get. He has not announced his plans for the future, but we don't expect him back in Chicago as a player. He could decide to continue his career elsewhere, hang up the cleats, or maybe find an opportunity for a staff position somewhere.