The 2024 NFL Draft has reached a conclusion on Saturday but the roster construction for the Chicago Bears is far from over this offseason. Immediately following the last pick in the draft, Bears' general manager Ryan Poles got to work, signing undrafted free agents.
Of course, the Bears were the team that signed the most impactful undrafted free agent last year in quarterback Tyson Bagent. A dislocated thumb injury to former Bears' quarterback Justin Fields forced Bagent into the starting spot for the Bears last season where he went 2-2 in his time as the team's starting quarterback.
List of Bears undrafted free agent signings
Player | Position | School |
|---|---|---|
Austin Reed | QB | Western Kentucky |
Reddy Steward | CB | Troy |
Theo Benedet | OT | British Columbia |
Brenden Bates | TE | Kentucky |
Keith Randolph | DT | Illinois |
Jamree Kromrah | DE | James Madison |
Carl Jones | LB | UCLA |
Odieu Hiliare | WR | Bowling Green |
Ian Wheeler | RB/KR | Howard |
- Austin Reed, QB, Western Kentucky
Former Western Kentucky QB Austin Reed is signing with the #Bears, per source. pic.twitter.com/Mld1a4WWsb
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 27, 2024
Reed shared the same passing coach as Bears' No. 1 draft pick Caleb Williams during the Pre-Draft process. Reed had a chance of being selected in the seventh round of the draft and could be an intriguing quarterback to keep around on the practice squad for development purposes.
- Reddy Steward, CB, Troy
#Bears have agreed to terms with Troy CB Reddy Steward. Steward had 7 interceptions and 16 PBUs over the last two years. Steward gets a 12.5K signing bonus, which would’ve been the 2nd most, behind only Tyson Bagent, last year for the Bears. A significant commitment
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) April 27, 2024
Given the high signing bonus, Steward has a chance to stick around at the bottom of the cornerback depth chart for the Bears.
- Theo Benedet, OT, British Columbia
The #Bears are signing 🇨🇦 British Columbia OT Theo Benedet, per source.
— Justin M (@JustinM_NFL) April 27, 2024
Ryan Poles has proven to be strong in identifying offensive line talent and Benedet could be the next project for the Bears.
- Brenden Bates, TE, Kentucky
New Bears' offensive coordinator Shane Waldron is no stranger to three tight-end sets. Perhaps the Bears see Bates as a potential third tight end for Waldron's system.
- Keith Randolph, DT, Illinois
Source: @IlliniFootball DT Keith Randolph is signing with the #Bears. Productive player stays close to home! pic.twitter.com/50siqBdioO
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) April 27, 2024
The Bears are still looking for that elusive three-technique for Matt Eberflus' defense. Thomas was an anchor on the defensive line for Illinois and should have a path to making the 53-man roster.
- Jamree Kromrah, DE, James Madison
Bears pick up UDFAs, per source:
— Jason Lieser (@JasonLieser) April 27, 2024
Illinois DT Keith Randolph
James Madison DE Jamree Kromah
Austin Booker was the only defensive selection that the Bears made in the 2024 NFL Draft. Given the need for an edge rusher, it's no surprise to see the Bears double back on the position during the undrafted signing period.
- Carl Jones, LB, UCLA
UCLA LB Carl Jones and Illinois DT Keith Randolph to the Bears as UDFAs, per source. Jones had 5.5 TFL and 2 sacks last season.
— Kevin Fishbain (@kfishbain) April 27, 2024
Randolph had a 6th-round grade from @dpbrugler: "He maintains gap integrity with his ability to lock out, track and do his job in the run game."
With the changes to the kickoff rules this year in the NFL, the Bears could use more athleticism on special teams. Jones provides that.
- Odieu Hiliare, WR, Bowling Green
Former Bowling Green WR Odieu Hiliare is signing with the #Bears
— Terry Meyers (@TerryMeyersNFL) April 27, 2024
There is no doubt that the Bears have the potential to have one of the best wide receiver cores in the entire NFL with DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, and Rome Odunze. The team is thin at the bottom of the wide receiver depth chart, a flier on Hiliare makes sense.
- Ian Wheeler, RB/KR, Howard
Ian Wheeler, @HowardU @HUBISONFOOTBALL RB/KR, will sign a free-agent deal with the @ChicagoBears, according to the HU sports department.
— Steve Wyche (@wyche89) April 28, 2024
Given that teams will be using two returners on kickoffs this season, Wheeler could have an opportunity to sneak onto the 53-man roster.
This article will be updated periodically with Bears UDFA news.