Bears set to sign Justin Jones in place of Larry Ogunjobi

Ryan Poles’ first big signing as the Bears general manager didn’t go as planned. 

The media was prepared to speak to the Bears’ first three free agent signings, Larry Ogunjobi, Nicholas Morrow and Lucas Patrick, on Friday afternoon at Halas Hall, but the Bears released a statement that Ogunjobi “failed his physical and therefore, unfortunately, we are not signing him today.”

Larry Ogunjobi isn't on the #Bears. 😬@AdamHoge, @Wi11DeWitt and I shared our thoughts on today’s @CHGO_Bears podcast. https://t.co/296O5LUksZ pic.twitter.com/eSutA5zP6E

— Nicholas Moreano (@NicholasMoreano) March 18, 2022

Ogunjobi suffered a right foot injury in the Bengals’ 26-19 wild-card win against the Raiders last season. He needed to be carted off the field and required surgery. 

Roughly 15 minutes after the Bears released the statement, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler tweeted out who will be the Bears’ next three-tech in coach Matt Eberflus’ defense.

According to Fowler, Former Chargers defensive lineman Justin Jones is signing a two-year deal with Chicago. 

The former third-round pick from North Carolina State has 117 career tackles, 4.5 sacks, one forced fumble in 51 games played with the Chargers. Jones had career highs in total tackles (37), sacks (3) and fumble recoveries (2) last season. 

Although Jones did have some career highs, he also experienced a career-low in games played. Jones missed six games last season. He missed Weeks 2-3 against the Cowboys and Chiefs with a calf injury. Then Jones was placed on injured reserve and didn’t return until the Week 8 matchup with the Patriots. He also missed the Week 16 game against the Texans after being placed on the COVID-19 list. In Jones’ four-year career, he has yet to play a full season. 

Poles mentioned in a statement on Wednesday that Ogunjobi “embodies everything we are looking for in a Chicago Bear.” Some of the qualities Poles highlighted were leadership, toughness, energy and his violent style of play. 

Now, the Bears organization will have to see if Jones can bring some of those same qualities to Chicago. 

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