Bears bring back Bars, Nall and 3 others

The Bears have re-signed five exclusive rights free agents.

Offensive lineman Alex Bars, inside linebacker Josh Woods, outside linebacker James Vaughters, running back Ryan Nall and tight end J.P. Holtz will all be back in 2021.

Exclusive rights free agents are players who have completed fewer than three accrued NFL seasons and can only negotiate with their current team.

Bars entered the starting lineup during the second half of the 2020 season, starting one game at center, one at left guard and the final six games at right guard. He helped solidify an offensive line that had been inconsistent earlier in the season. Bars joined the Bears in 2019 as an undrafted free agent out of Notre Dame.

Nall played in all 16 games in 2020, coming off the bench as a reserve and participating on special teams. Holtz also played in all 16 games, mostly special teams.

Woods appeared in 15 games in 2020, seeing the most playing time on special teams. Vaughters totaled 19 tackles, two tackles-for-loss and 1.5 sacks in 14 games. He signed with the Bears in 2019 after spending the previous two seasons in the Canadian Football League.

Skrine cut

The news comes a day after the Bears cut defensive back Buster Skrine. Skrine, a 10-year NFL veteran, played in 12 games for the Bears in 2020 and was the primary nickelback when healthy. Skrine missed the final four games and the playoffs due to a concussion.

By releasing Skrine, the Bears will save approximately $2 million in salary cap space in 2021. Skrine is likely the first of multiple cap-saving cuts the Bears will make this offseason.

"We had a difficult decision with Buster and there'll be some (difficult) decisions to make," Bears general manager Ryan Pace said Tuesday. "I think you're going to see more of that around the league than you've ever seen."