Major move No. 1 has just been made. Per Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, the Chicago Bears have parted ways with veteran corner Prince Amukamara.
The move would save the team $9 million in cap space, which is sorely needed. Biggs says the move is being made now in order to give “the veteran a head start when it comes to finding a new team.”
Source says #Bears are planning to release CB Prince Amukamara. Gives the veteran a head start when it comes to finding a new team.
Immediately following the news of Amukamara’s release, NFL insider Adam Schefter broke the news that the team planned on parting ways with starting wide receiver Taylor Gabriel, as well.
Bears are releasing WR Taylor Gabriel and CB Prince Amukamara, per source.
Both moves clear $13.5 million in cap space, which could signify a huge move may be coming for the Bears. Per Spotrac, both moves now leave the Bears with $27 million in cap space.
The reported release of CB Prince Amukamara & WR Taylor Gabriel will clear $13.5M of cap space for the #Bears, who now carry around $27M to work with.
The release of Amukamara was expected, and the Bears’ decision to move on from Gabriel is no surprise to anyone, either. Gabriel missed seven games due to injury in 2019, and the multiple concussions he suffered last season alone is concerning for the veteran wideout moving forward.
Both Amukamara and Gabriel are free to sign with any team they’d like once officially released by the Bears.
So What Does it All Mean?
Not only will the Bears add some much-needed money to what was a very dismal cap situation, the team will now likely lean more on versatile corner Buster Skrine, who played well in his first season with the team last year. Skrine, All-Pro Kyle Fuller, Duke Shelley, Kevin Toliver, and former CFL star Tre Roberson are all on the roster at corner. Look for an intense competition at the position moving forward.
Amukamara had three interceptions, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and a touchdown in his three seasons with the Bears. According to Pro Football Focus, he was the 4th most valuable player on the roster for the Bears in 2019. Chicago will miss his production and veteran presence, and in releasing him, the team made the cornerback position more of a focus this offseason.
@AdamSchefter Prince Amukamara was the Bears 4th most valuable player in 2019 per PFF WAR
The Bears officially released the news via Twitter shortly after Shefter and Biggs broke it.
#Bears roster update:
We have released DB Prince Amukamara and WR Taylor Gabriel.
As for Gabriel, should he decide to continue playing in 2020, he, like Amukamara, will have an easy time finding a new home — and there is already talk of him reuniting with former coach Kyle Shanahan in San Francisco.
In the nine games he played in last season, Gabriel had 29 catches for 353 yards and four touchdowns. Shanahan coached him in both Cleveland and Atlanta, so a reunion with the 49ers seems like a logical fit.
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Chicago Bears Reach Decision on Prince Amukamara & Taylor Gabriel