The Bears announced the re-signing of veteran defensive tackle Amobi Okoye and the release of defensive tackle Brian Price.
The Sun-Times first reported Okoye’s signing.
Okoye has started 59 of 78 games played in five seasons with the Houston Texans and the Bears, recording 165 tackles, 15 sacks, six pass break ups, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. Last season, he had 27 tackles, four sacks and two tackles for losses, appearing in all 16 games. He signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the offseason, looking to play more than he did with the Bears, but he underwent a knee scope in June, and he apparently fell out of favor with new coach Greg Schiano.
Price was a second-round pick of the Bucs, but he was traded to the Bears for a seventh-round pick. Recovering from surgeries, Price was coming along well but wasn’t able to nudge past Nate Collins and other defensive tackles on the roster.
The release of Price is somewhat surprising, since it appeared they were looking at him as a long-term project. There never was any indication that he was expected to help right away.
Price goes on waivers now. Any club that picks him up before Tuesday’s deadline will also be responsible for the $510,000 that’s guaranteed to him, as part of his rookie deal. If he goes unclaimed, the Bears will have to pay that money.
The Bears practice today.
