The list of former Bears continues to grow.
Quarterback Jordan Palmer, tackle J’Marcus Webb and safety Brandon Hardin were among the early names to emerge as cuts in Chicago and Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reports that four other players have been told that they’ll be released. Quarterback Trent Edwards and offensive lineman Edwin Williams are the two biggest names of that group.
Edwards signed with the Bears a couple of weeks ago along with Palmer following the injury suffered by prospective third quarterback Matt Blanchard. Edwards played one game with the Eagles in 2012, his first game action since splitting the 2010 season with the Jaguars and Bills. The former Buffalo third-round pick may get more looks from quarterback-needy teams, but he may also be at the end of the line of his NFL career.
With Palmer and Edwards gone, Jay Cutler and Josh McCown are the only quarterbacks on the Chicago roster. That makes them a team to watch when it comes to adding a quarterback in the next few days.
Williams started 12 games for the Bears over the last three years and played in 14 others as a reserve on the interior of the line. The arrivals of Matt Slauson and Kyle Long likely contributed to his departure, although Williams’ experience will probably put him on the radar of teams with needs on the line.
The Bears are also cutting ties with linebacker Jerry Franklin and wide receiver Brittan Golden.