On Sunday, the Chicago Bears got started with six players being cut and cornerback Terell Smith being placed on IR. The next wave of cuts had a lot more players being given the pink slip.
The team announced that they first placed rookie cornerback Zah Frazier on the non-football injury list. He had missed all of training camp for personal reasons, but was seen back in the facilities last week.
Up next, it's the Bears announcing eight players were waived from the team.
- Millard Bradford, DB
- Xavier Carlton, DL
- Alex Cook, DB
- Power Echols, LB
- Kaleb Hayes, DB
- Austin Reed, QB
- Ian Wheeler, RB
- Joel Wilson, TE
It all concluded with the team also straight up releasing three players from the active roster.
- Tre Flowers, DB
- Royce Freeman, RB
- Joshua Miles, OL
We have waived 8 players, released 3 others and placed Zah Frazier on the Non-Football Injury list.
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) August 25, 2025
Which of the waived/released players could come back to the Bears' practice squad?
It's a shame to see Ian Wheeler on this list, as he had a great preseason with the Bears. He finished tied for the team lead with 100 rushing yards and led Chicago with two touchdowns. Bears general manager Ryan Poles should have Wheeler back on the team shortly for the practice squad.
Reed was not much of a surprise as he also had a nice preseason, but got caught up with Tyson Bagent and Case Keenum as Caleb Williams' backups. He should be another one heading to the practice squad once he gets past waivers.
Flowers was expected to get released as he was brought in to help with all the injuries in the secondary, with Jaylon Johnson, Kyler Gordon, and Frazier also out. It was the Chiefs' game that might have sealed Flowers' fate after multiple negative plays.
Despite his release not being surprising, Freeman had a nice one week with Chicago as he rushed for 22 yards on five carries and caught a touchdown against Kansas City. He never really had a shot to make the roster, but he made a convincing argument that he is still an NFL running back.
Read more: Bears exploring trade partner for offensive lineman with team deep on the line
There are still more moves that need to be made by Poles as the team is about half way to finalizing the 53-man roster for Tuesday.