The Chicago Bears released veteran cornerback Buster Skrine, according to a source. The Bears will save $4.938 million against the 2021 salary cap with the move. Skrine signed a three-year, $16.5 million deal that included $8.5 million guaranteed in 2019 and appeared in 12 games (three starts) while recording 66 tackles and a forced fumble last year. The 10-year NFL veteran has also played for the Cleveland Browns and New York Jets and has tallied nine interceptions and 85 passes defensed in his career. He's entering his age-32 season and may not see much interest on the open market at this point in his career. Skrine has 573 career combined tackles (16 for loss) and 3.5 sacks to his name.
The Chicago Bears released cornerback Buster Skrine on Monday, according to a source. Skrine, a 10-year veteran who will turn 32 years old in April, played 68 percent of the defensive snaps in 2019, but he missed the final four games and the playoffs due to the sixth reported concussion of his career. He had 68 tackles while playing 52 percent of the snaps in 2020, and opposing quarterbacks had a 125.7 passer rating when throwing his way, according to Pro Football Reference. The Bears don't have an obvious replacement for him on their roster, but Duke Shelley and Kindle Vildor could be asked to step up. By cutting Skrine, Chicago will take a $3.3 million dead salary cap hit. The veteran would've been owed $6 million in 2021.
The Chicago Bears agreed to terms with free-agent cornerback Buster Skrine (Jets) on a three-year contract worth $16.5 million with $8.5 million guaranteed, sources said on Monday. The addition of Skrine likely spells the end for Bryce Callahan in the Windy City. Skrine registered 58 total stops in 2018 with New York while posting a half-sack, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and seven passes defensed. He has been a steady presence in the secondary for the past seven seasons should becoming a starter with Cleveland in 2012. Skrine is durable, too, missing just five total games in his eight-year career. His addition makes an already strong Chicago defense better. They'll be a top DST in fantasy football in 2019.
