NFL veteran Jermon Bushrod was released by the Bears Tuesday after failing a physical, but the offensive tackle harbors no ill will.
Bushrod thanked the Bears in an Instagram post Tuesday night.
I’m very appreciative of the kind words of support from the family, friends and fans that have reached out to me. Unfortunately my time in Chicago is up and it’s on to the next chapter in life. We will continue to grind. Thank you @chicagobears for giving me the opportunity to line up with that C on the side of my helmet. #bearDown A photo posted by @j_bushrod7475 on Feb 16, 2016 at 7:49pm PST
Phil Emery signed Bushrod to a five-year, $35 million deal with the Bears in 2013 after the Towson product spent the first six seasons of his career in New Orleans.
[nicelink url=”http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/7/71/1331540/jermon-bushrod-thankful-time-spent-bears”]
But injuries cost Bushrod his starting job this past season, making the two-time Pro Bowler expendable in the eyes of current GM Ryan Pace.
According to a previous Sun-Times report, cutting Bushrod frees up $4.3 million in additional salary for the Bears, though the team will still be responsible for $4.4 million of his remaining salary.
The Bears released this statement after announcing Bushrod’s release on Tuesday:
#Bears GM Ryan Pace on release of Jermon Bushrod: pic.twitter.com/VcbXn0qLbB
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) February 16, 2016
Bushrod is the second Bears player in the past five days to announce his departure via Instagram.
Stats via Pro-Football-Reference