Antrel Rolle Released by Bears: Latest Details, Comments, Reaction
Published by Danny Webster on May 1, 2016
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears released veteran safety Antrel Rolle on Sunday after only one season with the team, the team announced.
Adam Hoge of WGN Radio provided a statement on Rolle’s release from Bears general manager Ryan Pace:
ESPN’s Adam Schefter first reported the news.
Rolle signed a three-year, $11.25 million deal last offseason with the Bears after five seasons with the New York Giants. The former Miami Hurricane took to Twitter to thank Chicago for his short tenure:
The eighth overall pick of the 2005 NFL draft started seven games for the Bears last year. With the move, Chicago saves $2.4 million in cap space this year, per Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune.
Rolle was limited in 2015 because of injuries. He was carted off the field during the Bears’ Week 4 game against the Oakland Raiders because of an ankle injury, which caused him to miss action for the first time since 2009.
After a two-game absence, Rolle played three more games before a sprained MCL put him on injured reserve. He finished with 35 total tackles, the fewest since his rookie year.
Jeff Dickerson of ESPN.com had speculated in February that the Bears could part ways with Rolle, and Chicago drafted two safeties—Miami’s Deon Bush (Round 4) and William & Mary’s DeAndre Houston-Carson (Round 6)—in the 2016 NFL draft last week.
NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport believes there will be teams interested in adding a veteran presence to their rosters:
It was a tough break for Rolle. The 33-year-old’s been healthy for most of his career and was a veteran on a rebuilding Bears defense. Perhaps a return to the Giants could be in order. They could use another safety to pair with Landon Collins, and Rolle did not miss a single game in New York while being a two-time Pro Bowl selection. The Detroit Lions could be another team to watch, as Rolle could pair with Glover Quin.
Rolle is nowhere near done playing and looks to have plenty of games left in him. He should find a team soon.
Stats courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference.com.
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