Israel Idonije’s second stint with the Bears didn’t last long.
Idonije, a veteran defensive lineman who played in Chicago from 2004 to 2012 and then returned this year after one year in Detroit, was released today just two months after he signed.
Although Idonije is a well-liked and well-respected veteran off the field, the Bears apparently decided that at age 33, he doesn’t have much left on the field. He may be able to sign on somewhere else before training camp opens, but he also may have played his last NFL game.
The Bears also released quarterback Jerrod Johnson, which leaves them with three quarterbacks behind Jay Cutler on the depth chart. Jimmy Clausen will compete with Jordan Palmer to be the No. 2 quarterback, while rookie sixth-round pick David Fales is likely to make the roster as a third-stringer with developmental potential.
Chicago also waived safety Sean Cattouse and tight end Fendi Onobun, and signed two players who recently had tryouts with the team, defensive end Jamil Merrell and linebacker Conor O’Neill. The moves leave the Bears with 88 players on the roster, two under the NFL limit, which means they’re likely planning to add a couple more players before training camp opens.
