Bravvion Roy did not advance to the second spot on the waiver priority list. The Bears submitted a claim for the recently cut Panthers defensive tackle, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com tweets.
Formerly a sixth-round Panthers pick in 2020, Roy will remain tied to his rookie contract. One year remains on that deal. The Bears will take a look at the fourth-year defender, adding him to a D-tackle group that features some new pieces.
Chicago used second- and third-round picks to bolster its interior D-line this year, selecting Gervon Dexter in Round 2 and Zacch Pickens in Round 3. The team also rosters Justin Jones and Andrew Billings.
The Bears also signed hybrid defensive lineman DeMarcus Walker this offseason, creating a bit of a crowded position group. While the team still appears in need at defensive end, they have made some moves to bolster their DT posts in 2023.
Roy, 26, has made 15 career starts. Pro Football Focus ranked Roy 86th among 127 qualified interior D-linemen last season; that marks his top ranking. Roy had spent the past six years playing for Matt Rhule.
A Baylor commit before Rhule’s move south from Temple, Roy played three seasons under Rhule in Waco and then arrived in Carolina during the well-paid HC’s first year there. The Panthers still used Roy frequently after Rhule’s October 2022 firing, giving him four starts during Steve Wilks‘ time at the helm.
The Bears traded out of the No. 1 draft position, with the Panthers, but their 3-14 record in 2022 will provide them a key perch as non-vested veterans are cut this summer. Chicago will have first dibs on players waived during training camp and on cutdown day later this month.
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