Bears yet to receive confirmation that Eddie Goldman will opt back in for the 2021 season

Earlier today Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Sean Desai met with the media for the first time since being promoted into his new role, and he was asked if the team has received confirmation from nose tackle Eddie Goldman about his returning to play in 2021.

“I have not been given any confirmation, and quite honestly I don't know when that process, or if I get that confirmation, how that works,” Deasi said today over videoconference. “I think our expectation, and his, is that he will want to play, because I know he misses it and he wants to be back.”

Goldman, along with nearly 70 other NFL players, opted out of the 2020 season due to health concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic. The NFL has yet to address what options teams or players have in regards to opting out of the 2021 season.

Besides Goldman, the Bears also had defensive back Jordan Lucas opt out last year.

The NFL did a tremendous job in navigating through the 2020 season and with a year experience in doing that, and a vaccine now available, it’s assumed those players will return to the field next season.

I touched on the difference having Goldman back in the lineup would make in my recent spotlight on the pending roster turnover coming to the Bears defensive line in this article.

Getting their big man back in the middle of this defensive line would be a big help to what ever scheme Desai plans to implement.

You can watch the full press conference from Desai in the video below.