With New York drafting Penn State edge Abdul Carter with the third overall pick in April's draft, Thibodeaux became expendable, and the Bears should certainly inquire about his availability if they want to round out their roster as they look to establish a winning culture around their budding crop of young stars.

The Patriots signed both players to multi-year deals last year with the expectation that they would continue to serve as key fixtures on the defensive unit. But then the team hired Mike Vrabel as the new head coach,