One of the more criticized moves this off-season for the Chicago Bears has centered on their decision to release veteran left guard Matt Slauson. Viewed as one of their steadiest players on the offensive line and a locker room leader, it was a puzzling move to say the least especially since his contract wasn’t overly expensive.

Thus far argument for why they did it have ranged from age (turned 30 this year) to rumors of health concerns to the arrival of highly-touted second round draft pick Cody Whitehair. Many view him as a plug-and-play left guard, making him the ideal replacement for Slauson.

Via @PFF, the best pick in the entire 2016 NFL Draft was Jonathan Bullard. The second-best? Cody Whitehair: https://t.co/omD5KRm25U — Bears Insider (@bears_insider) May 3, 2016

However, this hasn’t been good enough explanation for several fans, who believe the team could’ve found a place for the rookie without sacrificing their second-most reliable offensive lineman. Besides that, if they were so intent on being rid of him than how were they not able to find a team around the league interested in a trade? Slauson isn’t that old or expensive and didn’t miss a game last season.

Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune elaborated on why that might be.

“The Bears tried to trade Slauson and those efforts began well before the draft. Slauson has multiple teams pursuing him right now as he is visiting the Chargers and is scheduled to visit the Bills, where coach Rex Ryan and offensive line coach Aaron Kromer both have familiarity with him. But the fact that the team couldn’t flip Slauson for a draft pick should also be an indication of how other teams viewed him and the $3 million salary for this season. This wasn’t a move that was made to clear cap space. The Bears made a football decision.”

A few things to keep in mind here are both the Buffalo Bills and San Diego Chargers are two teams that fielded bad offensive lines in 2015. So any veteran lineman with even a modestly good track record would look like gold. If he were so good, as Bears fans seem to indicate, he would’ve commanded a far larger rush of teams to sign him upon becoming available. That hasn’t been the case.

So perhaps the perception of his value is a bit more exaggerated that some might think. Don’t forget John Fox is running the show as head coach. This man has developed some great linemen over his 14 years on the job including some perennial Pro Bowlers. He knows what good ones look like. Chances are if he wanted Matt Slauson to stay, he’d be staying. The fact that Fox didn’t go to bat for the veteran says a lot as well.

He has said he doesn’t want Pro Bowlers, he wants “Super Bowlers.” For what it’s worth, Slauson was neither.