The Bears have set their initial 53-man roster. Here is the full breakdown of the moves they made on Tuesday ahead of the cutdown deadline in addition to releasing veteran quarterback Brett Rypien:
Released:
- FB Khari Blasingame
- WR Collin Johnson
- TE Stephen Carlson
- OL Aviante Collins
- DL Byron Cowart
- CB Greg Stroman
- S Adrian Colbert
- S Tarvarius Moore
Waived:
- QB Austin Reed
- TE Brenden Bates
- OL Theo Benedet
- OL Jake Curhan
- DL Jamree Kromah
- DL Dashaun Mallory
- LB Micah Baskerville
- DL Carl Jones Jr.
- DB Leon Jones
- DB Reddy Steward
- DB Ro Torrence
- LS Cameron Lyons
- P Corliss Waitman
Placed on IR:
- WR Dante Pettis
Placed on IR (designated for return):
- OL Larry Borom
- DE Jacob Martin
With Rypien out of the picture, it will be interesting to see if Reed is kept the organization with a practice squad deal. For the time being, Chicago’s only passers are Caleb Williams and Tyson Bagent. It comes as no surprise those two were kept on the 53-man roster, of course, but it neither Rypien nor Reed are available in the next few days, the Bears will be in the market for a depth addition.
Waitman was one of two punters in place during the offseason, so the decision to cut him means fourth-round rookie Tory Taylor has won the gig. Waitman, 29, played for the Steelers in 2021 and the Broncos the following season. He led the NFL in punts during his full campaign in Denver, but he did see any regular season action in 2023. Waitman signed a futures deal in the winter, the Taylor selection suggested he would need to find a new home once roster cuts took place.
Borom and Martin were not named to the initial 53-man roster, per a new role for 2024. Teams may designate two players to return from IR before naming their rosters, although they are still required to miss at least the first four games of the season. In Pettis’ case, on the other hand, today’s move confirms he will be sidelined for the entire campaign.
I heard they’re going to re sign Blasingame after Wednesday although I have no idea why unless they have a trade cooking. I also really have no idea why Homer is still here. None at all. I sure hope Steward and Baskerville make it through waivers because they are good players who could end up being starters down the road. Reed will make it through and end up on the practice squad maybe even Rypien too. Would help with the whole new stupid 3rd QB rule. 2 is better than one I always say.
Presumably Homer is there as a core special teamer like last year. He played a whopping six snaps on offense last year, but played most of their special teams snaps.
Yes, Homer is a core special teams guy. There are names that were released that I hate to see go.. like Blasingame, Carlson and especially, Stroman.
Homer is a core special team guy who sucks at that too. Let me know just how many times you hear his name called making a special teams tackle. My bet is none. And as a RB he really stinks. What exactly does Blasingame do that a TE couldn’t do? A: Not a thing.
So, I guess all the Bear coaches are wrong? I think there’s obviously a lot going on that the cameras don’t pick up and Homer must be doing something right or he’d have been cut.
I’ll just ask one more question and let it go. If you want somebody to tackle a guy on special teams who do you want to do it? A RB or a LB? So if they re sign Blasingame and you count Jones as a RB, Which I do now, We now have 6 RB’s. That’s fantastic roster management.
I’m much more concerned with their lack of any depth at defensive tackle than I am about anything else… I have no doubt they’ll re-sign Blasingame. And it may be Homer they release to make room for him. They also have to make another cut for a LS til Scales comes back…
WGN news reported Blasingame resigning due to Scales going on IR
Not sure what more Reddy Steward could’ve done to make this roster. I really hope he makes it to the practice squad but hard to fathom some team won’t consider him an upgrade w his ball hawk ability.
Baskerville too. They should have kept Baskerville and Obie and got rid of Sewell. The only thing he does is take up room on the IR. Sooner or later. But everybody has to do what they do best I guess.
Agreed.
Aye Carumba! The Bears still can’t find a replacement for a 40 year old TE? Could Bates really have been that bad?
If Lewis is this All World blocker that they can’t seem to do without why do they need Blasingame? Lewis can line up in the backfield and block. And he can catch a pass. so the need for a guy who can’t run or catch from the backfield is mystifying at best.