May 02--The Chicago Bears on Sunday released veteran guard Matt Slauson and safety Antrel Rolle, who became roster casualties after the team drafted their replacements.
"Both men did everything we asked of them," general manager Ryan Pace said in a statement. "Part of growing as a team is making difficult decisions like the ones we made today. We never take them lightly given the respect we have for everyone who has put on a Bears uniform. We wish each of them the very best as they move forward."
Slauson, 30, was one of the most respected leaders on the team and the glue of the offensive line. The left guard started all 16 games last season, including four at center due to other injuries.
The Bears soured on his athleticism, though. After trading back twice in the second round Friday, they drafted Kansas St. guard Cody Whitehair.
Previously, they signed signed Ted Larson, former Arizona Cardinal, to a one-year free-agent contract worth up to $2.4 million. They also signed veteran interior lineman Manny Ramirez as insurance to second-year center Hroniss Grasu.
Rolle was released after the Bears drafted two safeties on Day 3.
The 33-year-old missed nine games last season due to knee and ankle injuries. That ran counter to his track record of impeccable durability--he had started 86 consecutive games dating from 2009.
The Bears were initially unsure whether his injuries were a sign of decline or an anomaly, but they opted to part with him after drafting Miami's Deon Bush in the fourth round and William Mary's DeAndre Houston-Carson in the sixth.
Releasing Rolle saves the Bears $3 million against the salary cap. He was scheduled to make a base salary of $2.4 million in 2016, in addition to $500,000 in per-game roster bonuses and a $100,000 workout bonus.
Last season, he earned the entire $4.9 million guarantee that was part of the three-year, $11.25 million deal he signed in free agency. In his only season in Chicago, he had no interceptions or forced fumbles, but his locker room leadership was valued by management, especially as it applied to rookie safety Adrian Amos' development.
