The Jets weren’t the only NFL team in pursuit of oft-injured, underachieving offensive tackle Jeff Otah before his Monday trade to New York.
A league source told Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune that the Bears had “talks with the Panthers” about acquiring the fifth-year tackle. Otah wound up costing the Jets only a conditional seventh-round pick. It’s possible the Panthers chose shipping Otah to the Jets over the Bears because they preferred getting him out of the conference.
The Bears’ interest in Otah hints at a couple of things. Chicago is interested in upgrading its offensive line. It also sounds like a potential landing spot should Otah (knee, back) continue to fail his Jets physicals. The trade can be reversed if Otah isn’t medically cleared by this Monday.
So if Otah doesn’t wind up sticking with the Jets, his next home could be the Windy City.