(670 The Score) The Bears on Sunday continued the process of cutting their roster to the 53-man limit with a pair of notable subtractions.
The Bears released veteran quarterback PJ Walker and waived offensive lineman Alex Leatherwood, the team announced. In doing so, the team will incur around $7 million in dead salary.
Walker was signed to a two-year, $4.2-million deal in March. However, he struggled throughout the course of training camp while Tyson Bagent, an undrafted rookie out of Division-II Shepherd University, emerged when given the opportunity.
Bagent is expected to be the Bears' backup quarterback, a role Walker was signed to fill.
At Shepherd University, Bagent threw for a Division-II record 17,034 passing yards as well as 159 touchdowns, which is the most ever at any level of NCAA football. Walker has completed 57.5% of his passes for five touchdowns and 11 interceptions over 15 career NFL games, including seven starts.
A first-round pick of the Raiders in 2020, Leatherwood was claimed by the Bears off waivers last September. He played in four games for Chicago last season.
The Bears also waived rookie offensive lineman Gabe Huoy, who was carted off with a leg injury during their preseason finale Saturday. Huoy was waived with an injury designation, meaning he reverts to injured reserve if not claimed off waivers.
The Bears must cut their roster to the 53-man limit by 3 p.m. Tuesday.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.
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