It seems as if defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi won’t be a Chicago Bear after all.
After agreeing to terms with Ogunjobi on a three-year deal worth $40.5 million, the Bears announced that they won’t be signing him due to a failed physical. Ogunjobi was slated to be introduced to the media on Friday.
Ogunjobi, a former Cincinnati Bengal, suffered a foot injury in the wild-card round of the playoffs, which sidelined him for the remainder of Cincinnati’s Super Bowl run. He had foot surgery in January.
Ogunjobi, who’s coming off a career year with the Bengals, was set to fill the important three-technique role in Matt Eberflus’ defense. Now, the Bears are left with a gaping hole at the three-technique spot.
The Bears are not signing DT Larry Ogunjobi because of a failed physical.
— Adam Jahns (@adamjahns) March 18, 2022
Last season, Ogunjobi had 49 tackles, including 12 tackles-for-loss, seven sacks and 40 total pressures in the regular season. He was a huge part of Cincinnati’s Super Bowl run until his foot injury sidelined him in the postseason.
“As I said before, Larry Ogunjobi embodies everything we are looking for in a Bear,” general manager Ryan Poles said. “He is a special person and player. During the league’s negotiating window earlier this week, we agreed to terms with him, subject to him passing a physical here. After a standard and thorough physical and medical review with Larry yesterday afternoon, our medical team deemed him to have failed his physical and therefore, unfortunately, we are not signing him today. This is difficult and it is emotional for everyone involved, but ultimately is what is in the best interest of protecting the Chicago Bears.”
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