Could the Chicago Bears’ eventual need for pass rushers force them to reunite with a former defensive lineman?
In 2017, defensive end Roy Robertson-Harris signed a free agency contract without being drafted and joined the Bears. Before agreeing to a new contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2021, he was a member of the organization for four years.
Robertson-Harris is in his fourth season with the Jags, but SB Nation’s Windy City Gridiron has identified him as a bubble player who may be released.SB Nation said, “RRH started his career in the Windy City.” “I thought he did well with the Jags in 2023, but Arik Armstead, a veteran free agent signee, and their young defensive linemen have had excellent training camps may have Robertson-Harris on the bubble.”
The Bears ought to try to sign Roy Robertson-Harris if he gets cut. The thirty-one-year-old Robertson-Harris could find it appealing to return to the starting point of everything. He may play a major part in the Bears’ hard-hitting, explosive defense. The Chicago Bears have been in need of a defensive end, thus RRH’s availability would be a compelling prospect.RRH had his first NFL play in 2017 following a season on the Bears’ reserve/non-football illness list during 2016. After finishing with four quarterback hits and 2.0 sacks, he started to play even more well.
During his greatest statistical season with Chicago in 2018, he finished 16 games (0 starts) with 3.0 sacks, 3 tackles-for-loss, and 11 quarterback hits. He then finished 2019 with 15 games (seven starts) with 2.5 sacks, 10 QB hits, and 3 TFLs.2020 would be his last season with the Bears due to a shoulder injury. That season, he participated in eight games (six starts) and recorded five quarterback hits in addition to 10 tackles (one for loss).
Although he spent much of his time as a backup or rotational player for Chicago, he has started every game in the previous three seasons for the Jaguars.
Following three game-missing outings in his first campaign with Jacksonville in 2021, RRH has missed only one in the last two seasons. In his three seasons with the Jaguars, he has accumulated at least 3.0 sacks and 32 quarterback hits.
With the Jaguars, where does RRH stand right now?
Before the Jaguars play their last preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons, much remains unknown. In their second preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Jaguars rested 22 starters. Not one of them was RRH.
After suffering an ankle injury late in the previous season, RRH has been rehabilitating this summer. He has spent a lot of time on the field throughout the preseason, according to the organization.Roy has been doing really well. His injuries, I believe, also kept him out of the spring for a long period. According to Sports Illustrated, Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson stated, “Again, it takes some time, just learning the techniques and learning the details of the defense.”
Before agreeing to a three-year, $21.6 million deal in 2023, RRH signed a three-year, $23.4 million contract with the Jaguars in 2021. It’s hardly a move that would assist the Jags financially this year, as Robertson-Harris’ release would only save about $800,000 in cap space. That appears more plausible because Jacksonville would save $6.6 million by removing RRH in 2025.However, the Jaguars may lose out to Chicago if they decide in 2024 that Robertson-Harris is not going to be a part of the team.
