Does Cruz’s release by Bears mean career is over?

CHICAGO — Former Giant Victor Cruz was released by the Chicago Bears on Saturday as NFL teams made their final roster cuts.

Cruz, who had spent his entire pro career with the football Giants, signed a one-year deal with the Bears after the Giants declined to sign the 30-year-old.

The Bears made the cut without comment in a statement about the team's final cuts. Cruz, who missed most of the 2014 season after he tore a tendon, hurt his knee in the Bears' final pre-season game against Cleveland

The Paterson native said at the time of his release  “I pretty much grew up in front of the eyes of this entire organization. The Giants fan base, the community, my hometown, my family. I grew up there. It’s very much a family atmosphere and it’s very much like leaving your family. That’s what it feels like."

The 30-year-old was hopeful his NFL career would continue.

“I think there is still a lot of miles left on this body. I’ll definitely be searching and looking for work as the time comes.”

Chris Swendeman, co-host of the New 'Jersey' Guys sports podcast thinks it could be the end of  Cruz's career.

"The fact that Chicago just lost their top receiver to a season-ending injury and still cut Cruz, doesn't seem to bode well for Victor finding another gig this close to the start of the NFL season as teams are trimming their rosters down to 53 players. Chicago may have been his best possibility," Swendman said.

His best hope of getting back on a team could be an in-season injury, according to Swendeman.

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com.

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