It was a bit of a surprise to see the Bears waive Tanner Gentry. However, they will get him onto their practice squad
Every year there is that surprise player who gets cut right before the final 53-man roster. Most fans debate his presence on the roster all year. Those for keeping him on the roster claim he has no chance of finding his way onto the practice squad. The other 31 teams see what this particular person sees, and they will scoop him up. However, in most cases, this rarely happens.
The first important note to remember is that teams cannot claim a player to put on their practice squad. To claim a released player off of waivers he needs to make the active roster for three straight weeks.
So let’s look at the Bears wide receiver corps. Can you argue that any group is worse in the NFL? The Bears saw Tanner Gentry as their sixth most talented wide receiver. If the Bears see him as that with their underwhelming depth, how can a team with much stronger depth see him as a player worthy of being top four on their own team? It is just unlikely.
On top of that, these teams are just as anxious about sneaking their own players through waivers, let alone worried about other teams. These teams have to fill out the practice squad with ten of their own players, or players who clear waivers. These are the players they are continuously pressing refresh on as they wait for this process. Yes, every once in awhile a T.J. Ward immediately his phone is ringing. However, this does not apply to the undrafted free agent from Wyoming types.
Gentry will clear waivers and we will find himself on the Bears practice squad. It is a fear that every team has, but almost every team walks out with the guy that they hoped to make it though.