Just a week ago, former Chicago Bears defensive lineman Zacch Pickens was battling for a roster spot as his old team took on the Kansas City Chiefs in the preseason finale. Now it appears Pickens is joining them.
Pickens was one of the 30-plus Bears players who were cut earlier in the week as he did not make the 53-man roster. Instead, a source tells ESPN NFL reporter Jeremy Fowler that Pickens will be heading to Kansas City to join their practice squad.
Free agent DT Zacch Pickens is signing with the #Chiefs practice squad, per source.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) August 28, 2025
Chicago’s former third-round pick saw Kansas City, which carries four defensive tackles on the 53, as a place where he can make an impact.
Pickens was selected in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft. He racked up 39 tackles, four quarterback hits, 1.5 sacks, one pass deflection, and one forced fumble in 26 games with three starts. During the preseason, Pickens racked up six tackles for the Bears.
Bears weren't able to get the most out of Pickens
It was a true disappointment for the Bears that they weren't able to get Pickens to live up to the potential that he was supposed to. He has great size and could of been a great run stopper, but the Bears never got that.
Last season, he was able to make three starts, and it seemed like he might be able to turn things around, but a groin injury would cause him to miss time. Pickens was able to secure the playing time he needed after that, as the Bears acquired better talent to support them on the defensive line.
The defensive line got better in the offseason for the Bears as they added Grady Jarrett in free agency and drafted Shemar Turner in the second round that might have been the signal that Pickens was in trouble in making the roster.
Read more: Recent Bears cut needed 2 days to land with new team with something to prove
Chicago has the talent now on the line that they will be okay without Pickens as he looks to get his second chance to play.