Chicago Bears fullback Khari Blasingame is the team's next candidate to be released this offseason after the Bears already released safety Eddie Jackson and guard/center Cody Whitehair in cost-cutting moves. The moves to release Jackson and Whitehair saved nearly $22 million against the 2024 salary cap. Releasing Blasingame would result in $1.6 million in savings with no dead money left on the books. He's a true fullback who could fit into new offensive coordinator Shane Waldron's visions, but he's also a stalwart on special teams. The 27-year-old has played in 32 games (eight starts) for the Bears the last two years and has just eight carries for 26 yards and three receptions for two yards.
Chicago Bears fullback Khari Blasingame (head) exited during the first half of Week 9 versus the New Orleans Saints. He is being evaluated for a concussion. The 27-year-old didn't touch the ball before departing but had offered steady protection for quarterback Tyson Bagent. Chicago doesn't have any other fullbacks on the roster, so look for D'Onta Foreman and Roschon Johnson to get more work in pass-protection scenarios.
Khari Blasingame Forced Into Action Thursday Night
Chicago Bears running back Khari Blasingame was forced into action in the Thursday night win over the Washington Commanders due to injuries to Khalil Herbert (ankle), rookie Roschon Johnson (concussion) and Travis Homer (hamstring). Blasingame finished the 40-20 win with eight carries for 26 yards. He was not targeted at all in the passing game. The backfield work was the first for the 27-year-old since he joined the Bears last season. The Bears now have a long layoff before their Week 6 contest against the Minnesota Vikings, so there's a good chance one or two of Herbert, Johnson or Homer will be ready to go by then. Fantasy managers shouldn't consider adding Blasingame off the waiver wire.
The Chicago Bears and running back Khari Blasingame agreed to an undisclosed two-year contract extension on Wednesday. Blasingame spent the 2022 campaign with the Bears. He played in 16 games but didn't see a single carry and whiffed on his only target in the passing game on offense while serving as the team's fullback. The 26-year-old was obviously used solely as a blocker and will likely continue to do so in 2023. In his four-year NFL career, Blasingame has only three carries for six yards and has caught 10 of 13 targets for 97 yards. He's not on the fantasy radar whatsoever.
