J'Marcus Webb says he's been cutUpdated: August 30, 2013, 1:17 PM ETBy Jeff Dickerson | ESPNChicago.com Recommend977Tweet53Comments106EmailPrintCHICAGO -- Embattled Chicago Bears offensive tackle J'Marcus Webb announced via Twitter on Friday morning that he had been released after starting 44 regular-season games over the past three years.
The Bears have not officially confirmed the move. However, a source close to Webb said the player has been released.
A former seventh-round pick out of West Texas A&M, Webb burst onto the scene as a rookie in 2010 when he started the club's final 12 games and two playoff contests at right tackle. The Bears moved Webb to left tackle the next offseason and he made 32 consecutive starts serving as quarterback Jay Cutler's blindside protector.
But Webb's tenure in Chicago was plagued by inconsistencies. He had several games where he surrendered multiple sacks, including a 2012 Week 2 contest at Green Bay when a frustrated Cutler bumped Webb walking off the field after the offensive lineman missed another blocking assignment.
Webb was switched back to right tackle in the spring after the Bears signed free agent Jermon Bushrod to a five-year contract. But although Webb entered training camp with little planned completion on the right side, he eventually fell out of favor with the coaching staff and was replaced by rookie fifth-round draft choice Jordan Mills.
Webb lined up on the second team at left tackle for the last couple weeks of training camp but committed two penalties in the second half of the Bears' third preseason game, at Oakland. Webb started the preseason finale against Cleveland at right tackle and played the entire game.
He left the locker room Thursday night before the media were allowed to enter.
Webb had been scheduled to earn a base salary of $630,000 after agreeing to a pay cut upon losing his starting job. Webb's release seems to indicate veteran swing tackle Jonathan Scott has a decent shot to earn a spot on the 53-man roster despite missing most of the preseason with a knee injury that required a procedure to clean it out a few weeks ago. If Scott's knee remains an issue, the Bears could sign a free agent to round out the depth chart. Guard James Brown and guard/tackle Eben Britton look to have solidified backup roles on the team.