Bears Release Tim Jennings, Place Kevin White on PUP List
A mixed offseason for the Chicago Bears continued today, when, less than two weeks away from meaningful football, the Bears made a pair of impactful changes to the 2015 roster.
The first came in the form of releasing veteran cornerback Tim Jennings. A Bear since 2010, Jennings was one of the faces of the Bears’ threatening defense in the early years of this decade. He led the NFL in interceptions in 2012, and was named a Pro Bowl participant in both 2012 and 2013.
At only 31, a drop off in production last season and a need to get younger and more dynamic on defense are really the only reasons for such a high profile cut, especially considering Chicago re-signed Jennings to a fresh four-year contract only last year.
The cut leaves sophomore talent Kyle Fuller as the unquestioned number one cornerback on Chicago’s depth chart. The natural ball hawk enjoyed a thrilling start to his rookie campaign – amassing three interceptions and two forced fumbles in back-to-back nationally televised games – until inexperience and rookie errors brought him back down to earth during the latter half of the Bears’ dreadful 2014.
On offense, meanwhile, first round pick Kevin White was placed on the “Physically Unable to Perform†List on Monday, rendering the wide receiver ineligible to take the field for at least the first six weeks as he recovers from a shin injury.
The seventh overall pick was drafted to restore some much-needed explosiveness to Chicago’s offense after the departure of Brandon Marshall. His potential long-term absence will leave maligned quarterback Jay Cutler without an every-down weapon in the receiving corps, making life exponentially difficult for a team already in the midst of transition.
