With all due respect to Danny Trevathan, Jerrell Freeman and Nick Kwiatkoski none of them can offer realistic reasons to prove a Chicago Bears Zach Orr deal shouldn’t happen. For those who aren’t up to date on the situation, it is as follow. Orr was in line for a big contract extension after going to his first Pro Bowl in 2016 for the Baltimore Ravens. Then he was forced to retire.
It was a big shock to the league. It looked like he was positioned to become one of the top inside linebackers in football. Unfortunately doctors diagnosed him with a spinal condition in his neck that put him at risk of serious injury if he continued playing. People thought his subsequent exit was the end. Apparently not.
Mike Garafolo of NFL Network recently reported that the young man received encouraging news on his condition during followup examinations. Enough to where he’s serious considering a comeback.
Bears Zach Orr deal could make the team better
Word is as many as eight NFL teams have already reached out to him, including the Ravens. The Bears would be remiss if they didn’t at least think about. Yes, it’s understood they have commitments to Trevathan and Freeman. That doesn’t mean they shouldn’t do it anyway. Let’s keep something in mind here. Trevathan is coming off a bad knee injury. One that might land him on the PUP list, knocking him out for at least the first six games of the season.
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Freeman? He’s 31-years old and was suspended four games last season. Neither of these guys can be considered long-term solutions at this point. Orr, if truly healthy is 24-years old coming off the best year of his career. He made 132 tackles, forced a fumble and intercepted three passes. The Ravens run a 3-4 defensive system, so it wouldn’t take him too long to adjust.
Would it upset some people in the building? Sure. Nobody likes having their job threatened, but GM Ryan Pace and head coach John Fox like losing a lot less. The end game of this organization isn’t to make friends. It’s to put the best possible 11 players on the field for offense or defense. Orr could give them an extra boost in an area they still aren’t completely settled. If that ruffles some feathers, well too bad.
Loyalty is great when it’s convenient, but this business has a bottom line. Win or else.
