Patrick Scales, a veteran long snapper, posted a farewell to the Chicago Bears and the city Saturday on Instagram.

“Words will never be able to describe our gratitude for the city of Chicago, the Chicago Bears Organization, or the fans who have cheered us on and loved us through the years,” Scales wrote. “Chicago, you were a dream come true, and you’ll always feel like home. … Our kids know no life without you, Chicago Bears, and raising them with you was the biggest honor of our life.”

The Bears, according to reports, decided not to renew Scales’ contract after he missed the 2024 season following back surgery and his replacement, Scott Daly, proved serviceable.

Scales, 37, made his NFL debut in 2014, appearing in two games with the Baltimore Ravens. He’s been in Chicago ever since, missing the 2017 season with an ACL injury but otherwise playing in 120 games from 2015-23 with the Bears. He played in every Bears regular-season game in 2016 and 2018-23. He’s credited with 14 total tackles from the long-snapper spot.

Scales was a three-sport player at Weber High School (class of 2006) and played tight end, defensive end and long snapper in football. He played college football at Utah State; his USU bio says he played every rep at long snapper from 2007-09.