Lake Forest, IL (SportsNetwork.com) – The Chicago Bears released Santonio
Holmes on Tuesday to end the former Super Bowl MVP’s unproductive nine-game
stint with the team.
Holmes signed a one-year contract with the Bears in August to presumably serve
as the club’s No. 3 receiver, but managed just eight catches for 67 yards over
nine games.
The nine-year veteran became expendable with fellow wideout Marquess Wilson
ready to be activated from injured reserve/designated to return.
Holmes’ numbers have declined since he posted career bests of 79 catches and
1,248 yards with Pittsburgh in 2009. He had only 23 receptions totaling 456
yards with one touchdown in 11 games last season with the New York Jets, who
released the 30-year-old in March.
The 2006 first-round pick helped the Steelers to a dramatic victory in Super
Bowl XLIII to conclude the 2008 season, compiling nine catches for 131 and
scoring the game-winning touchdown in the final minute of Pittsburgh’s 27-23
triumph over the Arizona Cardinals.
