The Chicago Bears fan base might be itching to watch some football after over a month off. Well, there might be a solution for that.
This weekend, the UFL kicks off its third season with eight teams competing in a 10-week regular season and two weeks of playoffs. While there isn't a team in Chicago, that doesn't mean there aren't any Bears connections to the league.
There are plenty of talented players who have once roamed Halas Hall who are looking for their second chance at playing in the NFL again. Here are a few of the top former Bears players who are in the UFL.
Ian Wheeler, RB, Louisville Kings
Wheeler has been a fan favorite in the preseason for the Bears over the last two years. During the 2025 preseason, he led the Bears in rushing with 100 yards and scored two touchdowns, matching his 2024 total.
Austin Reed, QB, Dallas Renegades
Reed has spent the last two years with the Bears in training, but has never made the final roster. He has completed nearly 70% of his passes in preseason and has thrown one touchdown with zero interceptions. The Renegades named him the starting quarterback for their Week 1 matchup against the Houston Gamblers.
Taco Charlton, EDGE, Dallas Renegades
The last time Charlton stepped foot on an NFL field in the regular season, he was wearing a Bears uniform in 2022. In five games that season, the former first-round pick racked up three tackles. He has built a nice career in spring football over the last couple of years.
Antonio Ortiz, LS, Dallas Renegades
Bears fans might not recognize Ortiz's name, but he was signed by the team after going undrafted in 2022. After not making the team, he joined the Renegades, where he has been the long snapper ever since.
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Shaun Wade, CB, Dallas Renegades
The run continues for Renegades players who played in Chicago, as Wade was on the Bears' roster last year. Wade was placed on injured reserve in the middle of training camp as the team did not bring him back during the offseason.