Israel Idonije will visit Chicago Bears
Detroit Lions defensive end Israel Idonije (77) after a pass during the first half at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
After incredibly disappointing first season with the Detroit Lions in 2013, defensive lineman Israel Idonije could reunite with the Chicago Bears after unsuccessfully dabbling with the rival. The NFL Network’s Albert Breer reports that Idonije will visit the Bears tomorrow, and it’s going to be interesting to see if they use him at defensive tackle to replace Henry Melton or play him at his more natural defensive end position even after giving Lamarr Houston a big contract and adding underrated former Lion Willie Young to man the other defensive end spot. It’s also possible that they could use him at both spots.
Idonije appeared in 15 games last season, but the 33-year-old had the least productive season of his career with just 11 tackles and 0.5 sacks, and it was a far cry from the 2010, 2011, and 2012 seasons he put together with the Bears. In those three seasons, Idonije had a combined 20 sacks, and he was a disruptive player on the Bears defensive line. He also had 49, 53, and 48 tackles in each of those three seasons, and he really put himself on that map in those years.
It would be nice to see him back with the Bears organization on a relatively cheap, veteran contract, because he can be a productive player in the right setting. Chicago seems like the right setting for him, especially since he spent the 2004 through 2012 seasons with the Bears organization before signing a deal in 2013 to join the Lions.