Chicago Bears: Eddie Goldman situation still not resolved

Just when the Chicago Bears thought the situation with Eddie Goldman was finished, they found out it was all but resolved.

The Chicago Bears are riding a roller coaster with defensive tackle Eddie Goldman and his playing situation. Last year, he opted out of the season because of COVID-19 concerns. This year, everyone expected him to come back ready to take over his position. Things haven’t happened according to plan, though.

When mandatory training camp started in June, there was one noticeable absence: Goldman. The only word we got from head coach Matt Nagy was that it was an unexcused absence. Nagy didn’t seem too concerned, but the rest of Chicago Bears Nation certainly was. There were many people thinking that Goldman might also skip some of training camp.

Then came word that Goldman would indeed show up for training camp raring to go. That eased fans’ concerns. They felt happy that after more than a year of seeing him on the field, he was ready to go.

Now, however, things are bumpy once again. No, he won’t opt out again as the deadline passed on July 2. Yet, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune recently wrote that things still aren’t clear concerning Goldman’s return. He wrote that Goldman considered retirement last season and is still contemplating that move.

Once again, the fans are fretting over his return. They know how important he is to the defense. His absence threatens the unit’s continuity. Goldman is an excellent run stuffer and his body in the middle of the line helps free up the linebackers to roam and make plays. Additionally, he provides good pressure up the middle, racking up 12.5 in his five seasons (67 career games) with Chicago.

If Goldman indeed retires before training camp he leaves the team in the lurch. With him retiring so late, it limits the team’s opportunities to replace him. Nearly all of the free-agent defensive tackles are already taken so there are slim pickings.

The Bears did sign Mike Pennel, formerly of the Kansas City Chiefs. He has the body to play tackle, measuring in at 6-foot-4, 330 pounds. However, he’s played mostly defensive end and mostly as a rotational player instead of a starter.

There are available free agents such as Damon Harrison and Daniel McCullers, who played for the team last season. Harrison signed with the Green Bay Packers late in the season last year but didn’t do much with them. It could be the end of the line for his career.

McCullers only played in three games and recorded just 8 tackles. He would only be a body in training camp and he’d have a difficult time making the team.

The best option for the Bears is for them to move Bilal Nichols back to tackle. Last year, the Bears tapped him to replace Goldman after he opted out. Despite a slow start while adjusting to his new position, he played well down the stretch. Perhaps having a better grasp of the position this season could help him get out of the gate quicker this time.

Of course, the Bears would rather not make a decision on a replacement for Goldman. They’d rather he decide to keep playing and show up and help the team win some games with another elite defensive unit. They will have to wait for the opening of training camp on July 27. We will all have to wait to see if that happens.