The Chicago Bears have spent the last two weeks going through rookie players and deciding who they should bring in. Well, someone they thought would be in minicamp with them no longer will be.
It was reported that Bears wide receiver Squirrel White told the team that he is retiring from the NFL. Chicago had just signed him after the 2026 NFL Draft, as he was not selected.
White started his college career playing for the Tennessee Volunteers in his first three seasons before transferring to Florida State last year. During his only year with the Seminoles, he caught five passes for 52 yards, rushed for another six yards, and took seven kickoff returns for 64 yards. He finished his college career with 136 receptions for 1,717 yards and six touchdowns.
Bears undrafted free agent retires two weeks into NFL career
Players retiring earlier than expected has become a common practice in football now, after more medical research on brain injuries and less backlash when it does happen. The Bears are all too familiar with early retirements, as center Drew Dalman, at age 27, retired from the NFL this offseason after making his first Pro Bowl selection.
The Bears were hoping to try to bring in as much young talent to the wide receiver room as possible to replace DJ Moore and Olamide Zaccheaus, who left the team during the offseason. White was going to be one of those players competing for a roster spot.
Chicago still has good talent at wide receiver, as they brought in veteran Scotty Miller and undrafted free agent Kyron Hudson to help out. Miller has a stronger chance of making the team based on his NFL experience, but it's still an uphill battle for both players.
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While it is a shame that Bears fans won't be able to see what White does on the field, the hope is that he will find success off the field.
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