Not even Tank Johnson sounded as if he had a hard time understanding the Bears simply did what t hey had to do Monday by waiving him.
“I want to thank the Bears organization and fans for their support during this difficult time,” the troubled defensive tackle said in a statement released through his lawyer. “I regret that I have to leave Chicago under these circumstances, and wish my friends at the Chicago Bears nothing but the best.”
Johnson didn’t elaborate on the incident Friday that began with him being pulled over at 3:30 a.m. by Gilbert, Ariz., police for speeding and allegedly being “impaired to the slightest degree.” It ultimately ended with him being a former Bear.
Blood-test results due within two weeks will determine whether Johnson is charged with DUI, but the Bears saw no need to wait. Team officials who had adopted a zero-tolerance policy with Johnson reacted with anger upon hearing the news Friday, then calmly considered their options.
By the time General Manager Jerry Angelo and coach Lovie Smith met Johnson face-to-face Monday at Halas Hall, a team consensus had concluded it was time to say goodbye.
“We are upset and embarrassed by Tank’s actions last week,” Angelo said in a statement. “He compromised the credibility of our organization. We made it clear to him that he had no room for error. Our goal was to help someone through a difficult period in his life, but the effort needs to come from both sides. It didn’t, and we have decided to move on.”
The Bears, who open training camp July 27, realize cutting Johnson turns a potential team strength at defensive tackle into a potential weakness if replacements Dusty Dvoracek and Antonio Garay, with zero NFL starts between them, break down or roll over. Newcomer Anthony Adams offers hope. But he is one defensive tackle, and the Bears have lost three: Johnson, Ian Scott and Alfonso Boone.
In Smith’s single-gap defense, defensive tackles with Johnson’s explosive first step and overall quickness thrive.
“A lot of people within our organization gave extra time and energy to support Tank: players, coaches and our front office,” Smith said. “We did our best to establish an environment for him to move forward. Ultimately, Tank needed to live up to his side of the deal.”
He didn’t. Another NFL team might give Johnson the chance to redeem himself. But Johnson’s next employer also will inherit the eight-game suspension issued by Commissioner Roger Goodell in March, according to a league spokesman.
“It’s very unfortunate,” said cornerback Nathan Vasher. “Tank was one of my closest friends.”
Still, even Vasher allowed that Johnson’s decision to stay out late on his first night home “pushed the Bears into a corner.”
“So the Chicago Bears had to do what was needed,” he said.
