Mason Foster signed with the Bears less than six months ago, but the fifth-year linebacker won’t officially suit up for them this season.
As part of paring their roster down to 53 players, the Bears released Foster, according to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune.
A four-year starter at middle linebacker with the Buccaneers, Foster could not beat out Shea McClellin or Christian Jones for one of Chicago’s inside linebacker jobs.
Jon Bostic and undrafted free agent John Timu round out the team’s inside-linebacking unit. The 26-year-old Foster, who signed a one-year deal in March, is free to sign with any team.