Adewale Ogunleye was acquired by the Bears via trade in training camp of 2004, and immediately signed a six-year contract.
That he lasted the entire deal qualifies the move as a success for the Bears. But the O-Gun show will no longer be held in Chicago.
Bears coach Lovie Smith told Ogunleye they would be going in another direction after the team signed Julius Peppers.
“That was one of my harder days as a coach, for the Bears, because Adewale was a real man. He was there every day I’ve been there,” Smith said. “That was a tough call. He’s family. He’s a friend for life, and to call him and let him know we were going in a different direction. I know you have to do it, but that was personal right there.”
Ogunleye is turning 33 years old this year and is coming off a broken leg. He figures to get some interest when he’s fully healed.