Bears’ Fifth-Round Pick Zah Frazier to Miss 2025 Season

Zah Frazier will miss the entire 2025 season, the Chicago Bears announced. The cornerback was placed on the reserve/non-football injury list. Frazier did not play any pre-season games, and the unspecified issue has existed since shortly after the draft. 

Chicago general manager Ryan Poles broke the news, revealing that he is dealing with a “personal situation” that predates his arrival in Chicago.

What exactly is keeping the 24-year-old cornerback sidelined remains largely under wraps. Poles kept things vague, only saying the issue falls under a “personal” category and existed before the Bears drafted him with the 169th overall pick in April.

He last practiced during rookie minicamp back in May and has been virtually invisible throughout training camp. His only appearance came on August 20, when he was spotted riding on a golf cart with team personnel, hardly the introduction Chicago fans were hoping for from their newest defensive back.

Frazier brought legitimate excitement to Chicago’s secondary after an impressive showing at the NFL Scouting Combine. Standing just under 6-foot-3 with arms stretching nearly 33 inches, he possessed the exact physical profile the Bears covet in their press-man coverage scheme. The speed was there. He blazed a 4.36-second 40-yard dash that ranked fourth among all cornerbacks at the combine. That kind of straight-line speed, combined with his length, made him an intriguing developmental prospect.

His college production backed up the measurables. During his lone season as a starter at UTSA in 2024, Frazier hauled in six interceptions, tied for second-most in the FBS and the most in a single season in program history. Those picks, along with nine pass breakups and 24 combined tackles, earned him first-team Conference honors.

While Poles emphasized that the former UTSA standout will spend this season attending meetings, working in the weight room, and collaborating with the medical staff, there’s whispered speculation about whether a coaching role might emerge. The veteran presence and football IQ that come with being an older prospect could translate well to mentoring younger defensive backs.

Poles struck an optimistic tone when discussing the situation, crediting the organization’s support staff for identifying the root cause of whatever he is battling. The general manager expressed confidence that the proper foundation is being laid for a successful 2026 debut.

“Credit to our staff finding the root cause of what he was going through,” Poles said. “He’ll be down for the year, but he’ll spend the time going to meetings, in the weight room, and with the medical staff, preparing for next season to get ready to play. Kind of a bummer on the front end, but I think because of everyone’s hard work and care here, we got him on the right path.”