Bears Trade Gabe Carimi To Buccaneers For Draft Pick


The Chicago Bears traded their 2011 first-round pick Gabe Carimi to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The offensive tackle was limited to just two games due to a knee injury in his rookie season, but he started 14-of-16 games in 2012.

The deal for Carimi will become official after the 24-year-old passes a physical, which could be taken as early as Monday. First reported by Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times, the Bears will reportedly receive a six-round pick in the 2014 NFL Draft in return for Carimi.

The move comes after the Bears signed Pro Bowl left tackle Jermon Bushrod to a five-year, $36.965 million deal at the start of free agency. The signing of Bushrod will push J’Marcus Webb from left to right tackle this coming season, but it also may have been the reason behind trading Carimi.

The Wisconsin standout has two-years left on his rookie contract, which is a four-year deal worth just over $7 million. As he takes his talents to Tampa Bay, the Bears’ trade will give Carimi the chance to do battle with Demar Dotson for the starting right tackle position with his new team.

Gabe Carimi became a hot topic at Bears’ camp when he was a no-show at organized team activities (OTAs) this offseason, as he decided to stay in Arizona to work out on his own. Bears general manager Phil Emery recently addressed the situation on SiriusXM radio.

“This is a voluntary situation and every player has to make his own decisions,” He said about Carimi. “Gabe has made a decision that he wants to stay in Arizona and train, and we respect that. And he’ll be welcomed with open arms when he comes back.”

Instead of rejoining his former teammates with the Bears, Carimi will now make the move to the Buccaneers in hopes of winning a permanent spot on the starting offensive line.

Do you believe the Chicago Bears‘ trade gives Gabe Carimi the chance to take over a starting role with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers?

[Image via Amy Palcic]

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