The Chicago Bears have been working out players in recent days as injuries are starting to creep up on their roster. To keep the lines filled in training camp, they are bringing in fresh players to prove themselves. One of those names is DeMarquis Gates.
#Bears roster move: We have waived LB Christian Albright with an injury designation (Waived/Injured) and signed LB DeMarquis Gates.
— Bears Communications (@BearsPR) August 6, 2022
DeMarquis Gates is a linebacker from the USFL. His addition proves how valuable a league like that is. Gates was able to make a name for himself, and there is a real chance he would not get a chance to play in the NFL if it were not for the USFL.
Gates also played in the XFL and the AAF over the past couple of years. In 2018, he made his NFL debut with the Cleveland Browns, although it was short-lived. He spent training camp with Washington in 2019, but after that spent his time bouncing around to spring leagues.
His addition is worth noting, mainly because of how thin the linebacker room is. Christian Allbright was waived with an injury, and he was a UDFA, but we had him ranked 69 on our roster countdown list before training camp.
With 53 players on the roster and 12 on the practice squad, he would be just outside of the practice squad bubble. This hurts for Allbright, who could have made it to the practice squad if healthy.
Still, it brings an opportunity to jump a few players and get onto the roster for Gates. Behind Roquan Smith and Nicholas Morrow is Matthew Adams, who the coaches seem to trust. Still, beyond that is anybody’s guess, and they have to add anywhere from one to three more linebackers to this room.
Gates will have to beat out players such as CJ Avery and Jack Sanborn, but those are UDFA rookies. Other veterans such as Caleb Johnson and Joe Thomas will stand in the way, but neither is a roster lock. This will be a fresh start for Gates after he earned it through the spring football tour.