The Chicago Bears thought they would be getting one of the key cogs from the Cincinnati Bengals AFC Championship team, agreeing to terms with Larry Ogunjobi earlier this week (per ESPN's Adam Schefter). Ogunjobi agreed to terms on a three-year, $40.5 million deal, including $26.35 million guaranteed.
On Friday, however, general manager Ryan Poles announced that the team will not sign Ogunjobi after he failed a physical.
"As I said before, Larry Ogunjobi embodies everything we are looking for in a Bear," Poles said in a statement. "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 there, 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."
Ogunjobi is coming off foot surgery, which he suffered during the Bengals wild card victory over the Las Vegas Raiders.
Ogunjobi, who signed a one-year contract worth up to $6.2 million with the Bengals last offseason, was vital toward Cincinnati's defensive line in 2021. Cincinnati got pressure on 35% of their 478 snaps with Ogunjobi on the field (second in NFL), and on just 26% of their 269 snaps with Ogunjobi off the field (30th in NFL) in the regular season -- a year which Ojunjobi recorded 49 tackles, seven sacks, 16 quarterback hits, 40 pressures, and 25 hurries in 16 games.
He was set replace the departed Eddie Goldman in Matt Eberflus' defense. Goldman played a more conventional defensive tackle -- finishing with 22 tackles, 0.5 sack, and one quarterback hit in 14 games. Now, the Bears will have to look for another Goldman replacement, while Ogunjobi will be available to other teams looking for a 4-3 defensive tackle, and are more willing to take on the injury risk.
