Bears offensive lineman Gabe Carimi is apparently choosing open arms over opening his wallet.
According to Jeff Dickerson of ESPNChicago.com, Carimi will be at the team’s mandatory minicamp next week.
If he didn’t show, he’d be subject to fines, but that might be a moot point.
His roster spot wasn’t secure anyway, even though he was a first round pick in 2011. Perhaps recognizing that, he stayed away from OTAs, a moved described by an adviser as betting on himself.
Through it all, the Bears have taken the high road, with General Manager Phil Emery saying he’d be welcomed back with “open arms.”
“We’ve talked to Gabe and the individual who’s training him. So yes, we’re talking to him,” Emery said this week. “We’d like all our players to be here, but Gabe made a decision that was best for Gabe so every individual player has to make those decisions. [OTAs are] voluntary, and we’re going to respect that and we’re going to respect Gabe in his decisions.”
And Carimi is making the fiscally prudent decision, as well.