(670 The Score) Whether Bears nose tackle Eddie Goldman will play in 2021 remains a mystery.
Goldman opted out of playing during the pandemic-altered 2020 season, and it remains a "legitimate question" of whether he'll return in 2021, Brad Biggs of the Tribune reported recently. On Thursday morning, Biggs joined the Mully & Haugh Show on 670 The Score to further elaborate on Goldman's situation.
"Based on what I've been told by multiple people, it's at least a possibility here for the Bears (that he doesn't play in 2021)," Biggs said. "Is he sitting at home weighing what to do? I don't know that. But I do know that last summer I was told by some people after he opted out that they seriously questioned whether he'd ever return, and that's kind of cropped up again here after Eddie Goldman skipped the offseason program and did not appear for the mandatory mini-camp at a cost of more than $93,000 in terms of a fine for him.
"The Bears certainly want Eddie Goldman back. They've publicly stated they believe he's going to show up, but as we said from the get-go when he wasn't there for the beginning of mini-camp, this is now a real issue for the Bears until it's not. And it's going to be something to monitor here as we get closer to the start of camp at the end of the month."
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Goldman, 27, has been a key piece of the Bears' defense since the team selected him in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft.
The Bears ranked 15th in rushing defense without Goldman in 2020, allowing 113.4 yards per game on the ground. With Goldman in the middle of their defense, the Bears ranked ninth in rushing defense in 2019 (102.0) and first in 2018 (80.0).
In mid-June, the Bears added veteran interior defensive lineman Mike Pennel on a one-year deal, a move that signaled the uncertainty surrounding Goldman's situation.
"Hopefully he's kept himself in good shape and shows up," Biggs said of Goldman. "I think they can get good football out of him, but it's certainly something that you would wonder about. No doubt, this is an issue for the Bears. And they understand it's an issue.
"The run defense has not been the same without Eddie Goldman. That's not a stunner. He's a terrific run-stuffer. He's great on first and second downs."
