The UFL is a place for players to try to get their shot back into the NFL, and one former Chicago Bears player had one final game to show whether he is worthy of another shot.
Former Bears running back Ian Wheeler has played the 2026 UFL season with the Louisville Kings, as he led the team with 370 rushing yards and six touchdowns in the regular season. After rushing for 89 yards and a touchdown in the Kings' playoff win over the St. Louis Battlehawks, Wheeler had one last shot to prove himself in the United Bowl (UFL's championship game) against the D.C. Defenders, and he made the most of it.
Wheeler had arguably the most important play of the game in the fourth quarter, where he ran 44 yards for the touchdown to give Louisville the lead 20-16. The Kings went on to win the United Bowl in their first year of existence, 27-20. Wheeler won the United Bowl MVP as he rushed 10 times for 81 yards and a touchdown.
Ian Wheeler more than proved that he should be in the NFL
All season in the UFL, Wheeler showed off his ability to find the end zone no matter what as it was mainly short yards at the beginning of the season. Over the last two weeks, though, he just used his pure speed to get it done.
Now that the UFL season is over, the players of the league can start signing with NFL teams. Wheeler will most likely be a popular name among them to get into training camp with someone.
Bears edge rusher Daniel Hardy already made his feelings known that he wants the team to bring back Wheeler with his recent social media post. Chicago might be wise to bring Wheeler back after rushing for 100 yards and two touchdowns for them last preseason.
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Regardless of where he goes, Wheeler proved he earned the right to be on an NFL roster for training camp as he impressed in the UFL this past season.
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