Another longtime veteran has found a new home early in training camp. The Bears are signing free agent linebacker Alec Ogletree, a source told Mike Garafolo of NFL Network (Twitter link).
This is the first we’ve heard of Ogletree since the Jets cut him all the way back in October of last year. A first-round pick of the Rams in 2013, Ogletree’s NFL career got off to a very solid start. In his first two seasons with the Rams he had ten forced fumbles and three interceptions. In each of his four healthy seasons with the Rams he had at least 10 passes defended, and he was a second-team All-Pro in 2016.
That earned him a four-year, $42.75MM extension in 2017, but he quickly fell out of favor with the new coaching staff in Los Angeles. He was traded to the Giants for a fourth and sixth-round pick, and spent the next two seasons in New York. He started 26 games in those two years with the Giants, but was released in February of 2020. Ogletree latched on with the Jets, where he was released after just a couple games.
Despite the significant tread on his tires, he’s still only 29. Presumably signed for close to the veteran’s minimum, he’ll now be a depth option behind Roquan Smith and Danny Trevathan at inside linebacker for Chicago.
Ogletree was drafted a year prior to Khalil Mack so could he retain #52? I’m a bit foggy on what rules are being used now to make these kinds of determinations.
Yeah dude there is zero chance a veteran minimum player comes to a new team and takes the number of the highest paid defensive player in nfl history at one point….but sure the rules matter in this case hahaha
He’s the new guy, he’s not getting 52.
Is this even a legit question?
Pretty the more you get paid allows you to choose your number first.
Years ago seniority was all that mattered but I knew other factors were now being considered. I’m not sure pay scale is the best idea since contract extensions could jettison one player ahead of another. What happens if a contract is restructured?
Gonna be hard for him to make the team. After watching him with the Giants he was a shell of the player he was early in his career. Came into the league as an oversized safety that was converted into a LB. you would assume he would be great in coverage but after numerous knee injuries he was slow and unable to cover. I can’t see him having regained his quickness or speed sitting out a year.