Chicago Bears starting defensive lineman Eddie Goldman plans to opt out of the 2020 season due to coronavirus-related health problems, sources confirmed to ESPN on Tuesday.
NFL Media first reported the news.
Goldman, 26, has been a staunch defender on the Chicago defensive line since joining the league as a second-round pick in 2015. Bears general manager Ryan Pace has repeatedly referred to Goldman as an “anchor “of the Chicago defense.
The 6-foot-3-inch, 320-pound nose tackle started 63 games (12.5 sacks) for the Bears in the past five seasons and is one of the team’s best running backs.
Goldman signed a four-year extension with Chicago prior to the 2018 season that contained $ 25 million in guarantees. Goldman had 29 tackles and a sack in 15 starts for the Bears last year.
Chicago could add another free agent nose tackle, but the club has already brought in veteran John Jenkins, 31, on a one-year contract in the offseason. Jenkins appeared in eight games for the Bears in 2017.
The Bears lost defensive tackle Nick Williams in free agency to the Detroit Lions.
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