Every year the Chicago Bears release a preseason darling or a late-round pick/UDFA and fans go nuts assuming that every other team is going to fall over themselves to get them on their roster. Then, every year that player clears waivers and finds himself on the practice squad. The same thing is happening today as we wait for players to clear waivers and re-sign after initial cuts yesterday.
With 16 spots on the practice squad, the Bears are going to be able to keep almost all of the players they let go if they really want them. With that in mind, who are the five players that they have to bring back, no matter what.
5. Sam Kamara
Sam Kamara has all of the makings to be the next Roy Robertson-Harris. RRH was a UDFA and spent a year on the practice squad before taking a huge step and eventually signing a big contract this offseason.
Like RRH, Kamara is an edge rusher who is more of a tweener than anything due to his size. He spent more snaps at defensive tackle for the Bears despite still being labeled a linebacker. As an inside-outside rusher it is clear the Bears have plans to develop him just as they did RRH. This is a big transition, but Kamara flashed in the preseason.
Still, a project from Stony Brook who was a UDFA is not going to get claimed. The Bears can and will ensure that they get a full year of development out of Kamara.