The Bears were hoping to get a boost on defense this year from free agent signee Sedrick Ellis, but the veteran defensive tackle will reportedly retire from the NFL, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Bears DT Sedrick Ellis plans to retire
Only five years after being drafted with the seventh overall pick, the big defensive tackle is calling it quits.
Derick E. Hingle-US PRESSWIRE
Ellis, 28, was selected by the Saints with the seventh overall pick in the 2008 draft after playing his college ball at USC. He started 70 games in his five years, but was ultimately viewed as a disappointment by Saints fans. Ellis totaled 100 tackles and 12.5 sacks with the Saints, but they finished 23rd or worse in total defense in four of the last five years.
The Bears signed Ellis to a one-year, $1 million contract on June 11, but he will not be showing up to training camp. Chicago may have been looking at Ellis to replace the departed Israel Idonije in their defensive line rotation, but they will need to look elsewhere.
They currently still have Henry Melton and Stephen Paea in the middle of the front seven.
More from SB Nation:
See More:
