Grading Bears’ big signing of Larry Ogunjobi on DL

The Chicago Bears take a home-run cut by signing Larry Ogunjobi away from the Cincinnati Bengals in his free agency.

Larry Ogunjobi made the most of his one year with the Cincinnati Bengals, as the defensive lineman was able to turn a run to Super Bowl 56 into a multi-year deal with the Chicago Bears.

Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reported it will be a three-year deal for Ogunjobi worth $40.5 million. $26.35 million of that number is fully guaranteed.

Ogunjobi spent his first four NFL seasons out of Charlotte with the Cleveland Browns. While he was a good player for them, he is coming off his best season as a professional with the 2021 Bengals. The defensive tackle recorded a career-high seven sacks for the defending AFC Champions.

Larry Ogunjobi leaves Bengals for Bears: Signing grade

If Ogunjobi is just now entering his prime, then this is a good deal for the Bears. They did pay a premium for him, despite having cap issues themselves. No, this does not make up for trading away Khalil Mack to the Los Angeles Chargers. The good news is Ogunjobi helped turn around the Bengals when many though they were rebuilding. Could the 2022 Bears be the 2021 Bengals?

No, not even close. While Matt Eberflus gets a proven player in the trenches in his first go-around as head coach, this really feels like the Bears are paying too much money for a good player and not a great one. Then again, isn’t this what NFL free agency is all about, right? Though Ogunjobi could become a Pro Bowler in Chicago, he will be measured up by what he did with the Bengals last year.

Good for him getting the bag, but this is one of those moves that makes the Bears … the Bears.

Grade: B-