3 Bears Veterans Fighting for Their Jobs After the NFL Draft

The Chicago Bears did their best to reload during the NFL Draft and got mixed reviews. But, let's not forget this team is largely built to win now given their acquisition of Nick Foles and a defense that's been among the best in the league for a couple of years now. That means there's going to be a ton of competition this offseason as general manager Ryan Pace and head coach Matt Nagy look to trim the fat off the roster.

Here are three Bears veterans who could be in danger of getting released, losing their jobs, or seeing decreased playing time after the draft.

3. Cordarrelle Patterson

Chicago Bears WR Cordarrelle Patterson / Rey Del Rio/Getty Images

Did the Bears drafting Tulane WR Darnell Mooney spell the end for Patterson? Mooney ran a 4.38 40-yard dash at the Combine and could certainly be used as a cheaper option in the return game, and we'd venture to say Nagy will make him the focal point of some creative offensive schemes. As for Patterson, he's due $5.75 million in 2020, but can be cut with a dead cap number of only $1 million. Patterson had 11 catches last season, so it's hard to believe Chicago is going to pay that much for a kick returner when they have someone who can do it for much cheaper.

2. Buster Skrine

Chicago Bears CB Buster Skrine / Will Newton/Getty Images

The Bears used their second-round pick on Utah cornerback Jaylon Johnson, which now creates a bit of a logjam in the secondary. Buster Skrine had a solid season in 2019, but the Bears also brought in fellow nickelback Artie Burns in free agency, who is a much cheaper option as well. Perhaps the Bears are loading up on defensive backs just to be safe, but it's quite possible Skrine can find himself losing playing time or sent packing (likely via trade) if Burns and Johnson manage to impress leading up to 2020.

1. Adam Shaheen

Chicago Bears TE Adam Shaheen / Dylan Buell/Getty Images

We're sorry Bears fans, but you simply cannot carry 14 tight ends on your roster. It just doesn't work that way. Chicago drafted Cole Kmet with their first pick in the draft and they also have Jimmy Graham, Ben Braunecker, Demetrius Harris, JP Holtz and Adam Shaheen. Unfortunately for Shaheen, he looks to be the odd man out considering all the aforementioned names aside from Braunecker were brought in this offseason. Couple that with the fact the Bears can save $1.2 million by releasing him and the dots are surely connected.