Bears Cut Recently-Signed Veteran Free Agent, Promising Young Pass Rusher

Sam Kamara

Getty Sam Kamara was one of the players released by the Chicago Bears during final roster cuts.

One of the more promising young pass rushers for the Chicago Bears throughout the preseason, Sam Kamara, is being waived amid a slew of roster cuts, as first reported by Courtney Cronin of ESPN. Per Cronin, the Bears plan to bring Kamara back to their practice squad if he clears waivers.

The 6-foot-2, 275-pound pass rusher signed with the Bears in 2021 as an undrafted free agent out of Stony Brook. He spent the first half of his rookie season on the practice squad before getting elevated to the active roster after veteran Jeremiah Attaochu went down with an injury. Kamara appeared in eight games as a rookie, playing on special teams only.

He flashed a bit on defense this preseason, registering 14 total pressures, 12 hurries and 1.0 sacks in 107 pass rush snaps, per Pro Football Focus. We’ll see if he clears waivers and returns as a member of Chicago’s 16-player practice squad.

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Bears Also Release Free Agent OL Addition Michael Schofield, DB Thomas Graham Jr.

The Bears also waived veteran offensive lineman Michael Schofield, per NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero. A seven-year NFL vet, Schofield inked a one-year deal worth just over $1.1 million, but his contract had no guaranteed money according to Over the Cap, so the Bears didn’t lose anything by letting him go.

Schofield played in 15 games for the Los Angeles Chargers last year (12 starts) and he was brought in by Bears general manager Ryan Poles in July to compete for the right guard spot, but second-year lineman Teven Jenkins did more with his opportunities in the preseason and took over the starting spot.

Thomas Graham Jr. is another promising young player waived by the Bears. An injury acquired early on in training camp prevented Graham from participating in the preseason, and that hurt his chances of making the roster. According to Nicholas Moreano of CHGO Sports, as with Kamara, the Bears hope to sign Graham to the practice squad if no one else picks him up.

A 2021 UDFA, Graham made the team’s practice squad last year, and was moved up to the roster late in the season. He played in four games, starting one, finishing with 13 total tackles (one for loss) and four pass breakups.

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Bears Finalize 53-Man Roster

Here’s the official list of every cut the Bears have made in order to get their roster to the 53-man limit, the team officially announced on the August 30 deadline:

  • OL Jean Delance
  • WR Kevin Shaa
  • WR Nsimba Webster
  • OL Corey Dublin
  • Safety Jon Alexander
  • Safety A.J. Thomas
  • DL Mario Edwards Jr.
  • DL Trevon Coley
  • RB Demontre Tuggle
  • QB Nathan Peterman
  • DE Sam Kamara
  • OL Michael Schofield
  • OL Lachavious Simmons
  • LB DeMarquis Gates
  • WR Chris Finke
  • CB Greg Stroman Jr.
  • TE Chase Allen
  • TE James O’Shaughnessy
  • WR Isaiah Coulter
  • CB Thomas Graham Jr.
  • CB Greg Stroman Jr.
  • DB Davontae Harris
  • OL Shon Coleman
  • RB Darrynton Evans
  • DT Micah Dew-Treadway

The Bears elected to cut running back Evans in favor of keeping two fullbacks in Khari Blasingame and Jake Tonges. They also kept the following seven wideouts on the roster to serve as weapons for QB Justin Fields: Darnell Mooney, Byron Pringle, N’Keal Harry, Equanimeous St. Brown, Velus Jones Jr., Dante Pettis and Tajae Sharpe.

Additionally, Chicago kept just two tight ends on the roster: Cole Kmet and Ryan Griffin.

Thus, don’t be surprised if the Bears add another TE via the waiver wire, among other positions, as more moves are surely coming — although it’s possible Bears offensive coordinator Luke Getsy plans on using Tonges as a tight end.

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