Larry Ogunjobi will not be signing with the Chicago Bears after failing his physical.
Former Cincinnati Bengals standout defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi is a free agent once again after failing his physical with the Chicago Bears.
Ogunjobi had initially signed a three-year deal worth $40.5 million and $26.35 million guaranteed to leave the defending AFC champions for a rebuilding effort in Chicagoland. Though he had never gotten big money before, this felt like a money grab for Ogunjobi. While he could have been a big help on Matt Eberflus’ defensive interior, that looks to no longer be the case here.
Ogunjobi just had foot surgery, which probably played a big part in him not passing his physical.
Larry Ogunjobi fails physical, will not be signing with the Chicago Bears
For Ogunjobi, this stinks because he is not likely to garner the same amount of cash or number of years on the next contract he signs. By him failing his physical with the Bears, it is somewhat of a red flag in terms of his overall market value. As for the Bears, this is the latest example of why they are the epitome of a can’t-get-right organization. They have wasted four days of free agency.
No, Chicago was not expected to contend this season, but trying to spend big money on a player in the first wave of free agency only to fail him in his physical is not a good look for a new regime. Although it may work out for the Bears, these are four days they are not going to get back. Not only did they want to overpay for Ogunjobi, but did not take into account his medical situation first.
While there is optimism surrounding the Eberflus/Ryan Poles era at Halas Hall, as anything would be better than the Matt Nagy/Ryan Pace partnership, the Bears continue to get lapped by better-run organizations in the league. The fanbase is dying for a winner, and maybe it will get one someday? In the meantime, the Bears still come across as slow, archaic and way out-of-touch.
The Bears are in need of a new identity, but the organization keeps making the same mistakes.