NFL Bears: Post-Minicamp Update
Another leg of the journey for Baylor’s NFL veterans, newcomers, and hopefuls, came to a close with rookie minicamps last weekend, coinciding with the conclusion of the XFL season. In the days since one Bear has gone from undrafted to signed, another hit the chopping block, while two XFLers received tryouts, and one player’s lack of opportunity is a head-scratcher.
Post-rookie minicamps, here’s where things stand for Bears in the NFL.
CONGRATULATIONS
WR Gavin Holmes: A great piece of news to kick things off, as Holmes signed a deal with the Titans following his showing at their rookie minicamp last weekend. He’s wearing No. 84 and is on the team’s website. Holmes had initially received a minicamp invite from the Eagles, but at some point, Tennessee entered the picture, giving him an opportunity on back-to-back weekends. And it paid off.
OTHER TRYOUTS
LB Jordan Williams: The All-XFL defender and league leader in tackles earned a tryout opportunity at the Panthers minicamp. Still, nothing has come to fruition since that news, although Carolina did sign three other XFL players they’d brought in for tryouts. Williams is easy to root for and had an excellent year for the San Antonio Brahmas.
QB Jalan McClendon: Appeared in five games for Vegas, leading to a tryout with the Bills, but nothing contract-wise.
PUZZLING OMISSION
RB Abram Smith: Several XFL players received opportunities, but surprisingly, none were the league’s leading rusher and Baylor’s single-season rushing record holder. Granted, Smith was playing in the championship game last weekend while minicamps were wrapping up. And yes, running backs are a dime a dozen.
CHOPPED
LB Blake Lynch: Unfortunately, it wasn’t all rosy news this week as the Cardinals released Lynch following minicamps. He’d joined their practice squad last October after a stint with the Vikings. Not sure what’s next for him, NFL-wise.
S Christian Morgan: This one is more mysterious. The Packers officially announced the signing of Morgan following the draft, but he’s no longer on the roster without explanation.
WHO ELSE?
P Isaac Power, OL Jacob Gall, and Khalil Keith earned minicamp invites, but nothing else has emerged from those tryouts.
The XFL is hosting a rookie draft next month, so it’s entirely possible the names mentioned directly above could get opportunities then, and at worst, it’s a semi-placeholder since any deal contains an out clause for NFL gigs.
So, where does all this leave things now?
CURRENT PROS (as of 5/18/23)
Post-rookie minicamps and XFL season, everyone listed below is now under some deal.
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Andrew Billings, DT, Bears
SicEm365 - Ben Sims, TE, Vikings
- Bravvion Roy, DT, Panthers
- Connor Galvin, OL,
- Denzel Mims, WR, Jets
- Gavin Holmes, WR, Titans
- Grant Miller, OL, Rams
- Grayland Arnold, CB, Texans
- Henry Black, S, Colts
- Jalen Pitre, S, Texans
- James Lynch, DL, Vikings
- JaMycal Hasty, RB, Jaguars
- Jon Weeks, LS, Texans
- JT Woods, S, Chargers
- Kalon Barnes, CB, Vikings
- Kyle Fuller, C, Broncos
- Mark Milton, CB, Panthers
- Ross Matiscik, LS, Jaguars
- Sam Tecklenburg, C, Panthers
- Siaki Ika, DL, Browns
- Terrel Bernard, LB, Bills
- Trestan Ebner, RB, Bears
- Tyquan Thornton, WR, Patriots
- Will Bradley-King, DE, Commanders
- Xavien Howard, CB, Dolphins
- Xavier Newman, C, Titans
WHAT’S NEXT?
Within the next week, several teams will resume OTAs, aka offseason workouts, followed by mandatory minicamps in early June. However, training camps are two months away, which is when you’ll find the next chapter of these updates.