The Bear’s Den: January 24, 2017 - Should Chicago re-up Sam Acho?

The Den will be taking a look at one of the Chicago Bears' 2017 unrestricted free agents (UFA's) and restricted free agents (RFA's) each day until we have knocked out the list.

I will be talking about the player, whether I personally would sign the player and to what contract, and what my best guess the Bears will do with him.

Today let’s discuss backup veteran linebacker Sam Acho out of the University of Texas.

In 2016, Acho played in all 16 games at both outside linebacker and as a core special teamer. Acho had six starts, with 18 solo tackles, 9 assists, a sack, a forced fumble and a pass defended.

According to his bio on the Chicago Bears website (written before the 2016 season) Acho had appeared in 66 games with 39 starts over five seasons with the Arizona Cardinals (2011-14) and the Chicago Bears (2015), producing 172 tackles, 13 sacks, 19 TFLs, 3 interceptions, 9 pass breakups, 8 forced fumbles and 3 fumble recoveries (2 defensive and one of his own teammate’s on special teams)... Added 22 tackles on special teams... In 1 postseason contest with the Cardinals, registered 7 tackles including a strip-sack that was recovered by Arizona’s defense... 7 sacks in 2011 were the second most by a Cardinals rookie in franchise history, trailing Simeon Rice’s 12.5 in 1996... Became the first Cardinals rookie to have a sack in three-straight games since S. Rice in 1996.

Acho is also deeply involved in charity work, a part of his family’s medical mission to his birth country of Nigeria. His work with this and other charities in the Chicago area lead to Acho being named as Chicago’s nominee for the NFL’s prestigious "Walter Payton Man Of The Year" award.

Do I think we should re-up Acho? Acho is a solid backup player, a great teammate and community member, a hard worker and he will come at a reasonable cost. He isn’t a starter, but he won’t get starter money so yes, I say bring him back.

Do I think Chicago brings him back? Yes, absolutely, he will be on the 90-man roster without doubt (unless another team comes in and signs him with a higher offer). Whether he will make the 53-man roster has a lot to do with his competition in the spring.

BEAR DOWN, CHICAGO BEARS, BEAR DOWN!!!!

BEARRRSSSS

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POLISH SAUSAGE

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KNOW THY ENEMY

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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON WINDY CITY GRIDIRON

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