Bears’ updated roster following 2023 rookie minicamp

Here’s an updated look at where the Bears roster stands at each position following 2023 rookie minicamp and the new signings.

The Chicago Bears wrapped their rookie minicamp last weekend, where a new group of rookies — from draft picks to undrafted rookies to tryout players — participated in two days of practices.

The Bears made a slew of roster moves following rookie minicamp, including signing four tryout players. In conjunction with those additions, they released three previously-signed undrafted rookies.

Chicago currently has 90 players on their roster, so here’s an updated look at where the Bears roster stands at each position following 2023 rookie minicamp and the new signings:

Updated list of Bears undrafted free agent signings after rookie minicamp

Following Bears rookie minicamp, the Bears signed four tryout players and waived three others. Here’s an updated look at Chicago’s UDFAs:

The Chicago Bears conducted their rookie minicamp this weekend, where their 10 draft picks, 14 undrafted free agent signings and a slew of tryout players took to the field at Halas Hall.

Following rookie minicamp, the Bears made a few roster moves. They announced the signings of four tryout players in veteran tight end Stephen Carlson, Houston edge rusher D’Anthony Jones, Notre Dame offensive lineman Josh Lugg and Louisiana safety Bralen Trahan.

In corresponding roster moves, the team waived Cal-Davis offensive lineman Nick Amoah, Oklahoma safety Justin Broiles and Stony Brook tight end Damien Caffrey.

Here’s an updated look at the Bears’ undrafted free agent signings:

Bears sign four tryout players after rookie minicamp

The Bears signed four players following rookie minicamp this weekend, including UDFAs OL Josh Lugg and EDGE D’Anthony Jones.

The Chicago Bears wrapped rookie minicamp this weekend, where rookies hit the practice field for the first time at Halas Hall.

In addition to the rookie draft picks and undrafted free agent signings, there were a handful of players there on a tryout basis. And it sounds like some of them made a strong impression.

Following two days of practice, the Bears signed four tryout players in Houston edge rusher D’Anthony Jones, veteran tight end Stephen Carlson, Notre Dame offensive lineman Josh Lugg and Louisiana defensive back Bralen Trahan, according to Aaron Wilson.

Jones, an undrafted rookie, played in 27 games at Houston. He totaled 61 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, 14.5 sacks and had eight forced fumbles.

Carlson, 26, signed with the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent out of Princeton in 2019. He appeared in 25 games, catching six passes for 62 yards and one touchdown from 2019-20.

Lugg, an undrafted rookie, started all 13 games at right guard with the Irish last season. He helped lead Notre Dame to 4.6 yards per carry, with a total of 2,457 rushing yards.

Trahan, an undrafted rookie, appeared in 13 games for the Ragin’ Cajuns in 2022, where he totaled 78 tackles, one tackle for loss, four interceptions, seven pass breakups, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

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Photos from second day of Bears 2023 rookie minicamp

The Bears continued rookie minicamp on Saturday. Take a look at the action:

The Chicago Bears continued rookie minicamp on Saturday as rookies hit the practice field for the second time.

The practice featured the 2023 rookie draft class, a group of undrafted rookie signings and undrafted rookies looking to make an impression — and earn a roster spot.

Here’s a look at some photos from Saturday’s practice:

Bears rookie minicamp: Gervon Dexter, Zacch Pickens rotated between 3-tech, 1-tech

Bears DTs Gervon Dexter and Zacch Pickens rotated between the three-technique and one-technique spots during Friday’s rookie minicamp.

The Chicago Bears kicked off rookie minicamp on Friday, where their top defensive tackles in Gervon Dexter and Zacch Pickens saw their first on-field action at Halas Hall.

According to NBC Sports Chicago’s Josh Schrock, Dexter and Pickens rotated between the three-technique and one-technique spots. But Pickens saw more reps at three-tech, an indication that’s where the Bears envision him.

Pickens exploded off the ball and blew up the offense’s plan on several occasions. Dexter was initially quick off the ball but slowed down as practice continued. He did bat down a pass at the line of scrimmage.

Dexter and Pickens are both versatile defensive linemen who will factor into the defensive line rotation with Justin Jones and Andrew Billings. For head coach Matt Eberflus, he wants to see how they get off the ball and disruption this weekend during rookie minicamp.

“I want to see movement. I want to see get off. I want to see disruption,” Eberflus said ahead of Friday’s practice. “We’ll be able to see that, the athleticism. Being a good D-tackle—we’ve had some good ones—it’s the ability to stay on your feet and stay alive on the play. Obviously, pass rush up the middle is going to be important. When you have a dominating force inside of there, or when you have two really good players in there, that helps you in a lot of ways. That helps you in your run defense, that helps you in your pass rush right up the middle. So we’re enthused by having those guys in there.”

The Bears had one of the league’s worst run defenses from a season ago, and Dexter and Pickens will both be integral in stopping the run heading into 2023.

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Bears rookie minicamp: Tyrique Stevenson vs. Tyler Scott was highlight on Day 1

Tyrique Stevenson and Tyler Scott spent the offseason training together, and it showed on Day 1 of Bears rookie minicamp.

The Chicago Bears kicked off rookie minicamp on Friday, where draft picks, undrafted free agents and tryout players took the field for the first time.

According to NBC Sports Chicago’s Josh Schrock, one of the highlights from Friday’s practice was second-round cornerback Tyrique Stevenson going against fourth-round receiver Tyler Scott.

Per Schrock, Stevenson went against Scott four times and Stevenson “won by a knockout.” It certainly helps that Stevenson and Scott spent the offseason training with each other, so Stevenson has a good idea of how to best neutralize Scott’s blazing speed.

“Definitely did good,” Stevenson said after Friday’s practice. “I know he’s quick and I know he’s fast. Me being able to get my hands on him a couple of times kind of threw him off. I’m a little bit bigger than him so I don’t he definitely don’t want me to touch him. But he definitely did good with his releases off the line. He gave me some work today and I gave him some work today.”

While the Bears won’t put pads on until late July, it certainly sounds like Stevenson had a standout performance on Day 1 of rookie minicamp.

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Bears rookie Zacch Pickens always thought he’d be teammates with Gervon Dexter in NFL

Zacch Pickens believes he and Gervon Dexter can be a “dynamic duo” for the Bears.

The Chicago Bears drafted defensive tackles Gervon Dexter and Zacch Pickens on Day 2 of the 2023 NFL draft, with the hope that they’ll develop into long-term starters. Safe to say, Dexter and Pickens will be linked as their NFL careers get underway.

But before Dexter and Pickens became teammates in Chicago, they were flying together to visit teams, so they got to know each other during the pre-draft process. In fact, Pickens always had an inkling that they’d wind up as teammates at the NFL level.

“We were always together,” Pickens said, “so I was like, ‘I feel like we’re going to be together [in the NFL].’ Then what do you know, the Bears drafted him, then they drafted me. I was like, ‘We’re going to have fun with this.’ I texted him, ‘We’ve just got to take over, do ourselves right, and we could easily be the dynamic duo.'”

Bears defensive coordinator Alan Williams sees a lot of similarities between Dexter and Pickens, not only the physical traits (“big” and “fast”) but their mental acumen (“super intelligent and attentive”).

“They’re big, they’re athletic, they’re smart, they love ball,” Williams said. “Everyone that plays in the NFL doesn’t love ball. They do. They’re athletic. They stay on their feet.”

While Dexter and Pickens will start their rookie season behind Justin Jones and Andrew Billings on the depth chart, they have the potential to challenge for additional reps in the defensive line rotation. Perhaps we could see them emerge as starters down the stretch.

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Photos from first day of Bears 2023 rookie minicamp

The Bears kicked off rookie minicamp on Friday. Take a look at the action:

The Chicago Bears kicked off rookie minicamp on Friday as rookies hit the practice field for the first time.

The practice featured the 2023 rookie draft class, a group of undrafted rookie signings and undrafted rookies looking to make an impression — and earn a roster spot.

Here’s a look at some photos from Friday’s practice, featuring first-round offensive tackle Darnell Wright.

WATCH: Videos from first day of Bears rookie minicamp featuring Darnell Wright

Here are some quick video clips from Friday’s rookie minicamp practice, featuring Bears’ top pick Darnell Wright.

The Chicago Bears kicked off rookie minicamp Friday with the first of two practices, which featured draft picks, undrafted rookie signings and other tryout players.

For the second straight year, former Bears cornerback Charles Tillman addressed the team’s rookie class, which head coach Matt Eberflus described as “what a great message, what a great story, what a great Bear.”

Bears media members in attendance have been sharing snippets from Friday’s practice — those clips will only be available for 24 hours, per the team’s media policy — including the first look at right tackle Darnell Wright.

Just a little something to tide us over until the official highlights are released.

The Bears rookies will return to the practice field Saturday for their second workout.

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WATCH: Charles Tillman delivers passionate speech to Bears rookies

Take a look at Charles Tillman’s message to Bears rookies: “Differences are what make champions, not similarities.”

Former Bears cornerback Charles “Peanut” Tillman recently met with Chicago’s rookies ahead of rookie minicamp to officially welcome them to the NFL.

Bears head coach Matt Eberflus reached out to a number of alumni, Tillman included, to bridge the gap between the past and present. Eberflus recently praised Tillman’s inspiring message to the new rookies.

“To bring those guys back and to relay that message, that foundational core that those guys put together for this franchise is second to none,” Eberflus said. “Those guys, our new players, young players have to recognize that.

“The message Tillman had was outstanding the other day. Just about being a pro, being a Chicago Bear, and what that means to him and what it means to the fans and what it means to the city. To me, you can’t have enough of that.”

Now, the Bears have released part of Tillman’s speech to the rookies, where he addressed making the transition from college to the NFL, which is an entirely different beast, putting in the work to garner respect from veteran teammates and what they need to do to be embraced by the city of Chicago.

“I’ll share this quote with you,” Tillman said. “‘Differences are what make champions, not similarities.’ Whatever you can do to help this team win, you need to have that mindset right now. If you want to attain and be part of something special, which is what is in this room, you gotta think differently, and that starts right now.”

Watch Tillman’s speech to Bears rookies below:

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