The Chicago Bears, just like all other NFL teams, released their final 53-man roster yesterday. A few surprising players were released across the NFL, but there was no shock or huge controversy regarding the Bears’ official roster. However, several names stood out on the list of players that the Bears released or waived. Most of them were signed to the Bears’ practice squad this afternoon to start the 2024 season.
Bears Release HOF Game Standouts
Fan favorite and big-bodied Wide Receiver, Collin Johnson was released on Tuesday, allowing him to sign with any NFL team. No suitors came knocking down his door and the 6-foot-6 WR was signed to the Bears practice squad today. The 26-year-old Johnson had just renegotiated his contract and signed an extension with Chicago in March. Johnson made the 53-man roster last season, playing in only three games and having one catch for 11 yards.
In the first preseason game of 2024, the Hall of Fame Game played at the Pro Football HOF in Canton Ohio, Collin Johnson notched three catches for 56 yards and two touchdowns. This performance earned him some coveted air time on HBO’s popular NFL documentary series, “Hard Knocks,” episode 1. Though he became a temporary darling for the Chicago faithful with his performance, he went the rest of the preseason without adding any additional stats to his resume.
Johnson’s HOF Game partner in crime, QB Brett Rypien, was also released. In the HOF game, Rypien went 11/15 for 166 yards passing and threw three touchdowns. More remarkably, he had a QB rating of 148.9 in that game. Through the rest of the 2024 preseason, Rypien had the best stat line for any of the Bears quarterbacks competing for the backup job. However, that did not translate to earning the backup job over incumbent reserve QB, Tyson Bagent. Rypien’s lack of a running game and propensity to take unnecessary sacks likely led to his release. Rypien has not signed with the Bears practice squad.
6th-Year DL Released, Makes Practice Squad
Byron Cowart signed a one-year contract with the Bears in March. Brought in to add size and depth to the defensive line, Cowart likely became a casualty of the final roster after the late addition of DT Chris Williams to the team a few days ago. Cowart didn’t show the coaching staff enough to make the roster, but the Bears signed him to their practice squad today. Chris Williams made the roster of 53.
Notable Players Waived Sign to Practice Squad
Another player who got 15 seconds of fame in HBO’s “Hard Knocks” was “The Canadian Eagle,” Offensive Lineman Theo Benedet. Benedet suffered an injury in the HOF game, which knocked him out of the remainder of the 2024 preseason. Benedet signed with the Chicago Bears practice squad today, preserving his dream of playing in the league.
Fellow “Hard Knocks” star Austin Reed, the rookie QB from Western Kentucky, was waived yesterday and signed with the Bears today. Reed gave a memorable speech to his teammates in the final preseason matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs – saying “They’re gonna talk about the ’24 preseason Bears.”
DB Reddy Steward was also waived and subsequently signed to the practice squad. Steward had an incredible performance in the preseason finale against the Chiefs, picking off two passes and returning one for a touchdown.
Final Thoughts
Chicago Bears GM Ryan Poles has worked hard to get to this moment. With only two spots remaining to fill out the 16-man practice squad, the team has been largely solidified for the 2024 season. Poles won’t have to make any major roster moves until the NFL Trade Deadline on November 5, or if major injuries or suspensions to players occur. Though a GM’s work is never done – he can feel good about a job well done and look forward to preparing for week one.
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