Bears release veteran OT Jermon Bushrod
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 9: Jermon Bushrod #74 of the Chicago Bears plays against the Dallas Cowboys on December 9, 2013 at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)
The Chicago Bears announced the release of veteran offensive tackle Jermon Bushrod on Tuesday.
Via the Bears' official Twitter account:
Bushrod, 31, played the past three seasons with the Bears and started 34 games at left tackle. Injuries caught up to him early in 2015, opening the door for 2014 seventh-round draft pick Charles Leno Jr. to take over his role in the starting lineup.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Before Bushrod joined the Bears in 2013, he was a two-time Pro Bowler with the New Orleans Saints. They originally drafted him out of Towson with a fourth-round pick in 2007.
Bushrod is clearly on the decline, but some team may take a flyer on him in free agency with a contract at or near the veteran minimum.