LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) -- Veteran defensive lineman Larry Ogunjobi won't sign with the Bears after failing his physical, the team said Friday.
Ogunjobi, 27, agreed to a three-year, $40.5-million deal with the Bears on Monday at the start of the open negotiation period. He was set to be introduced Friday at Halas Hall, but that changed after he didn't pass his physical.
The Bears didn't share details on why Ogunjobi failed his physical, but he suffered a foot injury during his Bengals' win against the Raiders in the wild-card round in January. That foot injury sidelined him for the rest of the playoffs and required surgery.
The Bears declined to make new general manager Ryan Poles available to the media Friday, but he released a statement on Ogunjobi's status.
“As I said before, Larry Ogunjobi embodies everything we are looking for in a Bear," Poles said. "He is a special person and player. During the league’s negotiating window earlier this week, we agreed to terms with him, subject to him passing a physical here. After a standard and thorough physical and medical review with Larry yesterday afternoon, our medical team deemed him to have failed his physical and therefore, unfortunately, we are not signing him today. This is difficult and it is emotional for everyone involved, but ultimately is what is in the best interest of protecting the Chicago Bears.”
A five-year NFL veteran, Ogunjobi had seven sacks and 12 tackles for a loss over 16 regular-season games for Cincinnati last season.
The Bears made Ogunjobi their priority in the free agency period, the first led by Poles as general manager. Ogunjobi was targeted in part because of his fit within Chicago's new 4-3 scheme and the belief he could anchor the revamped defense.
Ogunjobi's failed physical comes as many of the premier free agents have signed elsewhere. The Bears are still set to introduce linebacker Nicholas Morrow and offensive lineman Lucas Patrick on Friday.
The Bears have also agreed to deals with wide receivers Equanimeous St. Brown and Byron Pringle. Neither of those agreements has been made official by the team.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.