Bears Cut Ties With $1.2 Million 3rd-Round Draft Pick Before Giants Showdown
The Chicago Bears, under new head coach Ben Johnson, are battling for their first playoff berth in five years—and what would be only their third since 2010. To keep their postseason hopes alive, they must take full advantage of their matchup against the struggling New York Giants and rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart this Sunday.
### Bears Face Giants in Crucial Week 10 Showdown
The game, set to take place at Soldier Field, will be televised nationally as Fox Sports’ featured early time slot matchup. Heading into this critical contest, the Bears made a few roster adjustments on Saturday, less than 24 hours before kickoff.
Chicago has rebounded impressively after a shaky start to the season, winning five of their last six games. Their initial losses came against tough NFC North rivals Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions in back-to-back weeks. However, the Bears have bounced back, improving their record to 5-3 by capitalizing on sub-.500 teams.
Of their first eight opponents, only the Detroit Lions had a winning record heading into Week 10. Even the Baltimore Ravens, who beat the Bears 30-16 in Week 8, stood at just 3-5.
### Bears Make Roster Move: Release of Free Agent WR Miles Boykin
On Saturday, looking to fine-tune their roster ahead of the Giants game, the Bears released wide receiver Miles Boykin. Boykin was a free agent acquisition who signed a one-year, $1.2 million contract in April but spent the entire season on the practice squad without seeing a single regular-season snap.
A local product, Boykin attended Providence Catholic High School in New Lenox, about 40 miles southwest of Chicago. He then played college football at Notre Dame, where he caught 77 passes for 1,206 yards over three seasons. The Baltimore Ravens selected Boykin in the third round (93rd overall) of the 2019 NFL Draft.
Brendan Sugrue of USA Today’s Bears Wire noted, “He had a nice start to his career, totaling 464 yards and seven touchdowns his first two years. Since then, however, Boykin has failed to make much of an impact in the pros.” After stints with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2022 and 2023 as well as a lengthy spell on the Seattle Seahawks’ practice squad this season, Boykin was hoping for a fresh start with the Bears.
### Competition and Challenges for Boykin
During training camp, the 29-year-old Boykin was widely predicted to beat out Chicago’s own 2023 fourth-round pick Tyler Scott for a spot in the wide receiver rotation. Scott was cut from the Bears on August 26 and has since moved between the Indianapolis Colts, Seattle Seahawks, and currently the Los Angeles Rams without recording a snap.
Boykin’s situation did not improve significantly. Although cut from the Bears out of training camp, he was re-signed to the practice squad but never promoted to the active roster.
### What’s Next for Boykin?
With Saturday’s release marking what appears to be a final farewell, Boykin now looks to catch on with a team in need of wide receiver depth and special teams contribution, according to CBS Sports.
### Playoff Hopes Hinge on Sunday’s Win
The Giants come into this matchup with only two wins in nine games. The Bears currently hold the No. 8 seed in the NFC but must secure a victory to stay in the playoff hunt, especially after already suffering two divisional losses.
As the Bears prepare to host New York at Soldier Field, all eyes will be on their ability to capitalize on this winnable contest and maintain momentum in their quest to reach the postseason for the first time in half a decade.
https://heavy.com/sports/nfl/chicago-bears/miles-boykin-cut-ties/
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