The Chicago Bears make it official and announce the signings of veteran outside linebacker Kasim Edebali and undrafted rookie linebacker Josh Woods. Edebali played for four different teams last year, and Woods was at Halas Hall this week on a try out basis.
Edebali was originally an undrafted free agent of the New Orleans Saints in 2014. Current Bears’ general manager Ryan Pace was working in New Orleans when they signed Edebali out of Boston College.
He never missed a game during his first three years with the Saints, and he picked up eight sacks during that time playing defensive end. The first two sacks of his career came as a rookie and they came against the Green Bay Packers.
Last season he played in nine games with the Denver Broncos, then four with the Detroit Lions, before signing with the Los Angeles Rams for a week, then ending the season back with the Saints. Most of his playing time last year came on special teams with the Broncos.
The 28-year old Edebali (6’2”, 253) had a good senior year at B.C. where he had 68 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, 4 passes defended, 2 fumble recoveries, and 4 forced fumbles while playing defensive line.
With the Bears lacking pass rushing outside linebackers it can’t hurt to see if Edebali can bring them something off the edge during training camp.
Woods (6’2”, 211) played safety at Maryland, but when the Bears had him in for a try out it was as a hybrid linebacker/safety according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle.
His best season came last year when he had 62 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions, 4 passes defended, and 1 forced fumble.
To make room for these two new Bears, they released defensive back Tyrin Holloway and wide receiver Shaq Roland.