Chicago Bears starting defensive lineman Eddie Goldman plans to opt out of the 2020 season due to health concerns related to COVID-19, sources confirmed to ESPN on Tuesday.
NFL Media first reported the news.
Goldman, 26, has been a stalwart on Chicago’s defensive line since he entered the league as a second-round draft choice in 2015. Bears general manager Ryan Pace has repeatedly referred to Goldman as an “anchor” of Chicago’s defense.
The 6-foot-3, 320-pound nose tackle started 63 games (12.5 sacks) for the Bears over the past five seasons and is one of the team’s best run-stoppers.
Goldman signed a four-year extension with Chicago prior to the 2018 season that contained $25 million in guarantees. Goldman had 29 tackles and one sack in 15 starts for the Bears last year.
Chicago could add another free-agent nose tackle, but the club already brought back 31-year-old veteran John Jenkins on a one-year deal in the offseason. Jenkins appeared in eight games for the Bears in 2017.
The Bears lost defensive tackle Nick Williams in free agency to the Detroit Lions.
