Latest News
Filter by Team
QB RB WR TE PK | All Non-IDP | DT DE DL ILB OLB LB CB S DB | Footballguys View | All the news |
Bears | Zavion Thomas showing potential Thu Jun 25, 11:08 AM
Chicago Bears WR Zavion Thomas took reps at punt returner during spring activities and has the potential to make an impact on offense, according to head coach Ben Johnson. 'If we can harness all of this energy and make sure that we can trust him and he's going to align where he needs to and run the route the way we need him to, that we really could use him and he could be a big weapon for us this year,' Johnson said.
| Footballguys view: Thomas was one of the most dangerous return men in college football at LSU, so it makes sense he's already flashing signs of big-time playmaking ability. Speed and quickness are the name of his game, and Johnson should be able to find a role for Thomas because of his natural skill set. Does Thomas currently have much fantasy appeal? Not really in most leagues, but we love his potential in dynasty formats. |
Zavion Thomas, the lightning-fast receiver who ran a 4.28-second 40-yard dash at the NFL combine, got ample reps as a punt returner this spring and showed that he can be more than a special teams star with his skill set on offense. "He tends to make a play almost every single day right now that says, OK, if we can harness all of this energy and make sure that we can trust him and he's going to align where he needs to and run the route the way we need him to, that we really could use him and he could be a big weapon for us this year," Bears coach Ben Johnson said.
| Footballguys view: That's a lot of "ifs," but Footballguy Sigmund Bloom believes the Bears may see potential for Thomas to switch to running back, where he looked natural in a very small dose of carries at LSU. He could be part of the future backfield for this run-first team. Put Thomas on your training camp watchlist. |
Free-agent LB Brandon N. Smith (Raiders) reportedly worked out with the Chicago Bears, according to a source on Monday, June 22.
Link to storyChicago Bears WR Zavion Thomas was able to make plays during offseason workouts and can be involved in the passing games for years to come if he can become comfortable with the offense, according to QB Caleb Williams.
| Footballguys view: Thomas is incredibly dangerous with the ball in his hands, both as a receiver and as a return man. The Bears wanted to add more YAC to the passing game, and Williams should love how Thomas performs in that department. Thomas is gadget player, but he could push Kalif Raymond for the no.3 spot at the wide receiver position behind Rome Odunze and Luther Burden. |
Chicago Bears LB Dominique Hampton and PK Gabriel Plascencia were cut by the Bears, according to a source on Tuesday, June 16.
Link to storyFree-agent WR Kaden Davis (UFL) agreed to a one-year deal with the Chicago Bears Tuesday, June 16. Financial terms weren't disclosed.
Link to storyFree-agent WR Kristian Wilkerson (Bills) worked out for the Chicago Bears Monday, June 15, according to a source.
Link to storyKristian Wilkerson player page
Chicago Bears QB Caleb Williams has shown a comfort level in the offense during OTAs and minicamp, according to Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com.
| Footballguys view: It will disappointing if Williams doesn't look more comfortable and perform better in year two piloting Ben Johnson's offense. He is priced around QB6-7, but not much cheaper than QB3-5, so the fantasy football community expects him to improve. At least one of Colston Loveland, Luther Burden III, and Rome Odunze will be a big hit if Williams takes the expected step forward. |
Chicago Bears DE Dayo Odeyingbo (Achilles) and LB T.J. Edwards (leg) appear to be ahead of schedule in their recoveries from injury, in the opinion og BEarsWire's Brendan Sugrue.
Link to storyT.J. Edwards player page
Dayo Odeyingbo player page
Chicago Bears second-round draft choice C Logan Jones signed a four-year contract with the Bears Friday, June 5. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Link to storyChicago Bears first-round pick S Dillon Thieneman signed his rookie, four-year deal Friday, June 5. Financial terms weren't disclosed, but all first-round picks receive a fifth-year option.
Link to storyChicago Bears WR Rome Odunze said he is '100% confident' in his ability to become the No. 1 wide receiver for the Bears in 2026.
| Footballguys view: Fantasy GMs should be excited about what the Bears' passing game can look like in 2026 with Odunze as the no.1 receiver. His fantasy value is that of a low-end WR2/high-end WR3, but the upside is there for Odunze to produce at a higher rate if things click. |
Chicago Bears WR Rome Odunze (foot) said he's adjusting to a new normal with his foot. 'It's not from a standpoint that I'm like always in pain, but the way my foot broke, there's calluses in there that creates a different type of foot structure with those bones -- different things that kind of shifts things around,' Odunze said Wednesday, via Jay Cohen of the Associated Press. 'So my new normal was kind of what I am going into. And I don't think that's anything that's going to prohibit me or keep me from making plays.'
Link to storyChicago Bears WR Luther Burden III has been performing well during offseason workouts and has been working on learning new routes, according to head coach Ben Johnson.
| Footballguys view: Burden is going to be close to a full-time player after DJ Moore got dealt to Buffalo. He'll occupy the slot and get some of the high percentage targets that turned Amon-Ra St. Brown into a star under Johnson in Detroit. Whether to take Burden, tight end Colston Loveland, or Rome Odunze first in drafts is not an easy call, but this early buzz makes it easier to pick Burden. |
Chicago Bears CB Cam Lewis (undisclosed) left the voluntary workout early Thursday, May 28, because of an undisclosed issue.
Link to storyCam Lewis player page
Chicago Bears CB Jaylon Johnson is participating in the voluntary portion of the offseason program on Thursday, May 28.
Link to storyJaylon Johnson player page
Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson told reporters on Thursday, May 28, 'I'm buying Luther Burden stock right now.'
| Footballguys view: As NFL.com's Bobby Kownack suggested, if fantasy investors wanted some insider trading tips in May, we just got it. Burden, the 39th-overall pick by Chicago in the 2025 NFL Draft, was impactful as a rookie but took time to get going -- both due to still getting acclimated and working behind Rome Odunze and DJ Moore. Burden finished with 47 receptions, 652 yards, and two touchdowns thanks to a strong five-game finish. With Moore traded to Buffalo, it's easy to project great things for Burden, but when the coach/playcaller joins the chorus, the hype level skyrockets. |
Free-agent DE A.J. Epenesa (Bills) worked out for the Chicago Bears last week, according to The Chicago Tribune's Brad Biggs.
Link to storyA.J. Epenesa player page
Chicago Bears DE Dayo Odeyingbo (Achilles) is expected to be ready for training camp after being limited to eight games due to an Achilles' rupture after signing a three-year, $48 million deal in March 2025. He will 'definitely be in the mix' at defensive end when training camp starts, defensive coordinator Dennis Allen said.
Link to storyDayo Odeyingbo player page
Chicago Bears DE Montez Sweat had a team-high 10 sacks last season, while leading the team with 44 pressures. The team struggled in pass rush, but Sweat certainly did his part. However, he had 27 more pressures than the next best Chicago player, DT Gervon Dexter Sr. That difference of 27 was the fourth largest between a team's top two pressure generators last season.
Link to storyMontez Sweat player page
Chicago Bears DT Jordan van den Berg was selected 213th overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, in hopes of helping the team improve its pass rush. The Bears were 31st in the NFL in pass-rush win rate (29%) and 29th in pressure percentage (28%).
Link to storyChicago Bears DL Dayo Odeyingbo (Achilles) will 'definitely be in the mix' when training camp begins, according to defensive coordinator Dennis Allen.
Link to storyDayo Odeyingbo player page
Chicago Bears CB Kyler Gordon (undisclosed) is currently dealing with a soft tissue injury, sources told The Chicago Tribune's Brad Biggs.
Link to storyFree agent RB Salvon Ahmed (Colts) and DB Anthony Johnson Jr. (Giants) signed with the Indianapolis Colts on Thursday, May 21. In a corresponding move, they waived RB Deion Hankins.
| Footballguys view: Ahmed suffered a serious ankle injury in camp last year, but was declared fully healthy and will vie for a roster spot behind D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai in Chicago. Ahmed's initial burst was NFL quality in his cup of coffee with the Dolphins earlier in his career, so we shouldn't completely write him off. |
Salvon Ahmed player page
Anthony Johnson Jr. player page
Free-agent S Anthony Johnson Jr. (Packers) is signing with the Chicago Bears, according to sources.
Link to storyAnthony Johnson Jr. player page
Free-agent RB Salvon Ahmed (Colts) is signing with the Chicago Bears, according to sources.
Link to storySalvon Ahmed player page
Free-agent CB Sam Webb (Browns) worked out for the Chicago Bears Wednesday, May 20, according to a source.
Link to storyFree-agent CB Nazeeh Johnson (Chiefs) is reportedly visiting the Chicago Bears on Tuesday, May 19. Johnson also visited the New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles, according to a source.
Link to storyChicago Bears QB Caleb Williams was instructed to tweak his shotgun stance and put his left foot forward instead of his right. This was part of head coach Ben Johnson's tweaks during the season.
| Footballguys view: The Bears' quarterback certainly responded to Johnson's coaching. They have the toughest strength of schedule in 2026, but with a year under his belt in Johnson's system, we could see Williams continue to thrive and grow. |
Undrafted free-agent WR Kyron Hudson (Penn State) signed with the Chicago Bears Monday, May 11. Terms of the contract were disclosed. The team also placed WR Squirrel White on the Reserve/Retired list.
Link to storyChicago Bears third round draft choice WR Zavion Thomas signed a four-year contract with the Bears Friday, May 8. Financial terms were not disclosed.
| Footballguys view: Thomas wasn't as highly regarded by draft analysts as he was by Ben Johnson and the Bears. That makes him intriguing in dynasty rookie drafts, along with the possibility that Thomas gets some reps at running back, where he looked natural in limited duty at LSU. |
Free-agent WR Scotty Miller (Steelers) signed with the Chicago Bears Saturday, May 9. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.
Link to storyScotty Miller player page
Updating previous reports, undrafted free-agent RB Coleman Bennett (Kennesaw State), WR Omari Kelly (Michigan State), TE Hayden Large (Iowa), QB Miller Moss (Louisville) and WR Squirrel White (Florida State) officially signed with the Chicago Bears Friday, May 8. Terms of the contracts were not disclosed.
Link to storyChicago Bears fourth-round draft choice CB Malik Muhammad, fifth-round draft choice LB Keyshaun Elliott and sixth-round draft choice DT Jordan van den Berg signed four-year contracts with the Bears Friday, May 8. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Link to storyChicago Bears CB Zah Frazier was waived Thursday, May 7.
Link to storyChicago Bears DT Jordan van den Berg carries average mass and below-average length into his rookie season. He had elite testing numbers at his Pro Day, though, and the positives are that he possesses disruptive first-step quickness and heavy hands to beat blocks, according to NFL.com's Lance Zierlein. He needs to prove he can take on NFL blockers at the point of attack.
Link to storyFree-agent WR Scotty Miller (Steelers) is scheduled to work out for the Chicago Bears next week.
| Footballguys view: Miller is known for good speed but has had more than 11 receptions in a season only once since his lone big year, a 33-catch second season with Tom Brady at quarterback for the Super Bowl champion Buccaneers in 2020. Miller, who visited Detroit on Tuesday, has been at the bottom of three teams' rosters or on the practice squad, and there are several backup receivers already on the Bears' 90-man roster who have the advantage of system knowledge. |
Scotty Miller player page
Free agent WR Montrell Washington (Giants) has been invited to the Chicago Bears' rookie minicamp for a veteran tryout, according to a source on Monday, April 27.
Link to storyUniversity of Illinois OL Josh Kreutz, son of former Bears C Olin Kreutz, has accepted a minicamp invitation with the Chicago Bears after going unselected in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Link to storyKennesaw State RB Coleman Bennett signed with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent Saturday, April 25, according to a league source.
| Footballguys view: The Bears didn't draft a running back even though D'Andre Swift's contract expires after this season, so we'll be monitoring Bennett to see if he beats out Roschon Johnson, Brittain Brown, and Deion Hankins to make the team as the third running back behind Swift and Kyle Monangai. Bennett is a versatile, efficient back with tackle-breaking ability, but average athleticism and a limited small school pedigree. |
Chicago Bears DEs Dayo Odeyingbo and Shemar Turner were the only edge rushers on the roster prior to the 2026 NFL Draft, and the team did not select any edge rushers in the recently completed draft. Head coach Ben Johnson said Sunday, April 26, that he has faith in Odeyingbo (Achilles) and Turner (knee). Both players suffered season-ending injuries in 2025. The team also has DE Montez Sweat and DL Austin Booker, so the cupboard isn't totally bare.
Link to storyMontez Sweat player page
Dayo Odeyingbo player page
Iowa TE Hayden Large signed with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent Saturday, April 25, according to a source.
Link to storyWyoming G Caden Barnett is signing an undrafted free agent deal with the Chicago Bears, and he will receive $277,500 guaranteed money and a $30,000 signing bonus.
Link to storyIowa C Logan Jones was selected by the Chicago Bears with the 57th overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Link to storyOregon S Dillon Thieneman was selected by the Chicago Bears with the No. 25 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Link to storyChicago Bears TE Colston Loveland said he is looking forward to having a bigger role in the offense during the 2026 season.
Link to storyChicago Bears LB T.J. Edwards (leg) said he is making good progress in his recovery from a fractured fibula but does not have a timetable for his return at this point.
Link to storyT.J. Edwards player page
Chicago Bears OT Darnell Wright had his fifth-year option exercised Monday, April 20, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
Link to storyChicago Bears DTs Gervon Dexter Sr. and Grady Jarrett are really the only veteran defensive tackles on the current roster, so the team figures to look to the 2026 NFL Draft for help in that area. The team didn't address the position in a significant way in the offseason, so many expect the team to pick a player for the middle of the defensive line early in the draft. Multiple players such as University of Florida DT Caleb Banks, Ohio State DT Kayden McDonald, University of Georgia DT Christen Miller and Clemson DT Peter Woods could fit the bill.
Link to storyGrady Jarrett player page
Ohio State S Caleb Downs will more than likely be gone by the No. 25 pick, but the Chicago Bears might be able to select Toledo S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren or Oregon S Dillon Thieneman are the spot, should they elect to take a safety in the first round. The team has just three safeties on the current roster, with one starting job to be filled, after losing S Jaquan Brisker and S Kevin Byard in the offseason.
Link to story






























