NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported last week that the Bears are releasing defensive lineman DeMarcus Walker (via Bears Wire). Chicago saved $5.25 million after the cut and the 30-year-old veteran will now hit the open market ahead of the official start of NFL free agency in March.
Walker (6-4, 280 pounds) was picked by the Broncos in the second round of the 2017 NFL draft out of Florida State. Walker’s pro career got off to a rough start as the team moved him between outside linebacker and defensive end. The edge defender struggled to make much of an impact as a rookie, totaling one sack in 10 appearances.
During his four-year stint in Denver, Walker totaled 51 tackles and 10.5 sacks in 36 games (five starts). Not bad for a rotational lineman, but certainly not the kind of production the Broncos hoped for from a second-round draft pick.
After his rookie contract expired in 2021, Walker signed with the Houston Texans. After that, he spent time with the Tennessee Titans before joining the Bears in 2023. The lineman seemingly turned his career around after leaving Denver and he started all 17 games in Chicago last fall. He is now up to 26.5 career sacks.
With free agency right around the corner, Walker will seek a fifth team ahead of his ninth season in the NFL.
