Chicago is cutting bait with several of their 2017 free agents. The Bears have officially cut wideout Markus Wheaton. We heard earlier today that the receiver was likely to be cut (via Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune (on Twitter)). Wheaton was scheduled to carry a $5.75MM cap hit, but the Bears released him with just $750K in dead money.
The Bears have also announced the release of quarterback Mike Glennon and cornerback Marcus Cooper. We heard last month that the organization was going to move on from Glennon, and the veteran has already agreed to a deal with the Cardinals.
After adding Allen Robinson and Taylor Gabriel to the wide receiver stable, the Bears can afford to part with Wheaton, who was part of a failed 2017 free agent class for general manager Ryan Pace. Chicago added Glennon, Cooper, tight end Dion Sims, safety Quintin Demps, and Wheaton last offseason, but none panned out during their first Windy City campaign.
Wheaton, 27, managed only 51 receiving yards for the second consecutive season. Injuries limited him to just 11 games, but he only put up three receptions on the year. In three of his five NFL campaigns, Wheaton has posted six receptions or fewer. Defenders will point to Wheaton’s 40+ catch seasons in 2014 and 2015, but Wheaton hasn’t been productive in some time, and could struggle to find a deal on the open market.
Following a career-year with the Cardinals in 2016, Cooper disappointed this past season in Chicago. The cornerback finished the campaign with 18 tackles and three passes defended in 15 games (four starts).