The Chicago Bears are acquiring offensive lineman Dan Feeney from the Miami Dolphins for a sixth-round pick, a league source confirmed Monday. Here’s what you need to know:
- Feeney played in 96 games with 64 starts in his career, which included stints with the Los Angeles Chargers and New York Jets.
- The 29-year-old was a third-round pick by the Chargers in the 2017 NFL Draft out of Indiana.
- As the Bears’ interior line deals with multiple injuries, Feeney is expected to help bolster the roster and add a veteran presence.
The Athletic’s instant analysis:
Why the Bears are making this move
The Bears entered the preseason finale with three interior linemen injured. Left guard Teven Jenkins is believed to have the most significant injury of the trio, which includes guard/center Lucas Patrick and right guard Nate Davis. Patrick is in the “day-to-day” category, per coach Matt Eberflus. Davis has missed a lot of time this summer for undisclosed injuries. Additionally, backup center Doug Kramer injured his right hand/thumb against the Bills on Saturday. But it’s Jenkins’ injury that required a move like this one day before roster cuts.
Feeney gives the Bears a veteran presence they can lean on, either for a spot start or to be a top reserve. He’s been durable in his career, having played in every game but one in six NFL seasons. He played in 17 games with two starts for the Jets last season and has 64 starts in his career, including every game from 2018-20 for the Chargers.
While his primary position has been guard, Feeney can also play center. He should be familiar with the Bears’ scheme from his time with the Jets, whose offensive coordinator then, Mike LaFleur, was on the Falcons’ staff earlier in his career with current Bears O-line coach Chris Morgan.
Feeney also adds to the long list of Chicago-area high school players on the Bears. He is from Orland Park, Ill., and played at Sandburg High School. — Fishbain
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(Photo: Wesley Hitt / Getty Images)
