Jerrell Freeman’s release adds complicated case to linebacker market

The Chicago Bears decided to release linebacker Jerrell Freeman which adds another interesting name to the mix for needy teams like the Chiefs.

The Chicago Bears have decided that two years is long enough for them to employ Jerrell Freeman as they officially released the inside linebacker on Tuesday. Freeman is now free to officially sign with any team rather than having to wait for mid-March for free agency to start.

Unfortunately for the player and team, Freeman isn’t exactly a straightforward release, at least in the way you might expect. Freeman has hardly played the last two seasons, including a single game last year after suffering both a pectoral injury and a concussion. He was also suspended for a second time for PED use (a 10-game suspension) in 2017 as well, so it’s assumed that any team that signs him will have to wait until he returns from that suspension—all at the age of 32.

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One thing to keep in mind, however, is that Freeman has been clawing against the odds his entire football career, and he has already made it much farther than anyone ever expected. As a former Division III All-American at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (Belton, Texas), Freeman fought odds to earn significant attention from both the CFL and NFL. He settled in the CFL for a few seasons with Saskatchewan, becoming an All-Star in the process, before landing a starring role with the Indianapolis Colts. Freeman finally cashed in on the open market two seasons ago with the Bears in free agency.

Now on the outside looking in at the NFL, Freeman’s playing career could be in jeopardy. His recent injuries, his age and the suspension all loom like clouds hanging over any potential signing. That said, he’s been a tackling machine in the middle for any team that’s taken a chance on him at every level. Would it be worth a flyer to keep him around as a second half boost for a defense like the Chiefs?

Whether it’s Freeman or not, the Chiefs will certainly look to add a veteran to the mix at inside linebacker given that they’re watching Kevin Pierre-Louis walk in free agency (unless they re-sign him). The Chiefs must also fill the vacuum of experience and leadership left by Derrick Johnson’s absence as they move on from their star icon. Reggie Ragland is a nice piece to have in place, but they need much more than that before the season starts.