Bears sign DL Justin Jones after deal with Larry Ogunjobi falls through
The Chicago Bears saw one reported free agent signing fall through but another one come together shortly thereafter on Friday.
According to multiple reports, defensive tackle Justin Jones, not Larry Ogunjobi, will join Chicago. In a statement, Bears general manager Ryan Poles announced that the organization wouldn't be signing Ogunjobi.
"As I said before, Larry Ogunjobi embodies everything we are looking for in a Bear. He is a special person and player. During the league's negotiating window earlier this week, we agreed to terms with him, subject to him passing a physical here," Poles said. "After a standard and thorough physical and medical review with Larry yesterday afternoon, our medical team deemed him to have failed his physical and therefore, unfortunately, we are not signing him today. This is difficult and it is emotional for everyone involved, but ultimately is what is in the best interest of protecting the Chicago Bears."
Soon after the news of Ogunjobi's failed physical was reported, both Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network and Jeremy Fowler of ESPN tweeted out the signing of Jones.
A 2017 third-round pick of the Cleveland Browns, Ogunjobi spent the first four years of his career in Cleveland before signing a one-year, $6.2 million contract with the Cincinnati Bengals in March 2021. The 27-year-old — whose reported deal with the Chicago was going to be a three-year, $40.5 million contract — recorded 49 tackles, plus career-highs in quarterback hits (16), tackles for loss (12) and sacks (7.0) last season.
Jones is a fellow third-round draft selection, picked by the Los Angeles Chargers in the 2018 event. The 25-year-old missed nearly the entire month of October on injured reserve last season and was limited to a career-low 11 games overall.
Still, Jones' three sacks, as well as his 37 combined tackles and five quarterback hits, were career-best marks.
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