Bears defensive tackle Eddie Goldman will opt out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19 health concerns (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). Goldman’s decision leaves the Bears with a major void to fill up front, with just over a month to go before the scheduled start of the season. 
[RELATED: Patriots’ Hightower Opts Out Of 2020 Season]
Goldman was set to continue on the four-year, $42MM+ extension he signed in the fall of 2018. Now, his $4.75MM in guaranteed salary will toll into 2021 and his full contract will run through 2023.
Last year, Goldman suited up for 15 games, notching 29 tackles and a sack. As a big man in the middle, his true value isn’t really captured by the traditional stats. The advanced metrics at Pro Football Focus framed him as the 35th best interior defender in the league out of 118 qualified players, thanks in part to his work against the run. For Goldman, that was actually a down year, and he’s provided steady pressure against quarterbacks over the last two seasons.
The opt outs are piling up quickly, and there are surely more on the way. NFL players have until Friday to formally make the call.
That’s going to sting. Goldman’s one of the most reliable nose tackles league-wide. The Bears might have some difficulty against the run without him, especially if Hicks can’t stay healthy
Let’s play 7-on-7 flag football this year. With masks.
He’s 300 lb man with asthma… gotta love internet tough guys.