In a dramatic twist, the Chicago Bears are no longer signing top free agent defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi.
The Bears were set to ink the veteran defender to a three-year, $40 million deal, and he was expected to become a replacement for Akiem Hicks, who is likely departing in free agency. As first reported by ESPN insider Courtney Cronin, Ogunjobi failed his physical and will not be signed by Chicago after all:
Chicago Bears are not signing Larry Ogunjobi because of a failed physical, per the team.
After initially signing him, Poles released a statement of praise for his team’s new acquisition: “Larry embodies everything we are looking for in a Chicago Bear: his leadership, toughness, energy and violence style of play, on top of being so dominant as his position,” Poles wrote.
Poles didn’t take much time at all finding a replacement, though, as NFL insider Jeremy Fowler revealed on Twitter that the Bears are signing defensive lineman Justin Jones to a two-year contract. Jones is another 3-technique defender who should be able to fit into Matt Eberflus’ 4-3 defense.
DL Justin Jones is signing with the #Bears on a two-year deal, per source.
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Bears GM Released New Statement on Ogunjobi
After the news about Ogunjobi broke, Poles released another statement explaining why Ogunjobi won’t be landing in the Windy City:
“As I said before, Larry embodies everything we are looking for in a Bear,” Poles’ said on March 18. “He is a special person and player. During the league’s negotiating window earlier this week, we agreed to terms with him, subject to him passing a physical here. After a standard and thorough physical and medical review with Larry yesterday afternoon, our medical team deemed him to have failed his physical and therefore, unfortunately, we are not signing him today. This is difficult and it is emotional for everyone involved, but ultimately is what is in the best interest of protecting the Chicago Bears.”
Statement from #Bears GM Ryan Poles on not signing Larry Ogunjobi after a failed physical.
Ogunjobi suffered a season-ending foot injury in the Bengals’ wild-card win over the Las Vegas Raiders, and he may still be ailing from that.
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Justin Jones: Background & Stats
A third-round pick for the Los Angeles Chargers in 2018 (84th overall), Jones spent his first four seasons in L.A. before becoming a free agent this offseason. He has played in 51 games since arriving in the league, starting 35. In his four seasons with Los Angeles, he has amassed 118 total tackles (65 solo, 12 for loss), 13 quarterback hits, two passes defensed, two fumble recoveries and 4.5 sacks.
He’s coming off his best statistical season yet in 2021, finishing with 37 tackles (five for loss), 3.0 sacks and two fumble recoveries, all career highs. Minor knee and ankle injuries kept him limited to just 11 games last year, but when he was on the field, he was an impressive run stopper. A shoulder injury also limited him to 13 games in 2020, so he has had some issues staying healthy. His contract details have yet to be released, but he should also come a bit cheaper than Ogunjobi.
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Bears Signing Replacement DL After Top Free Agent Fails Physical