Tag: Tyler Bray

Tyler Bray’s promotion to active roster not related to Nick Foles or Mitchell Trubisky’s availability

The Bears promoted QB Tyler Bray to the active roster. But it has nothing to do with the status of either Nick Foles or Mitchell Trubisky.

The Chicago Bears promoted quarterback Tyler Bray from the practice squad, which left many simply wondering: Why?

There were a number of theories floating around the internet, including the possibility of a Mitchell Trubisky trade to Trubisky being demoted to QB3. But from the sound of things, Bray’s promotion will have no bearing on the status of starting quarterback Nick Foles or Trubisky, according to the Sun-Times’ Patrick Finley.

In fact, there’s a possibility Bray will be inactive for Sunday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts.

As ChicagoBears.com notes: “Due to a provision in the new Collective Bargaining Agreement that was reached in March, NFL teams can activate up to two players from their practice squad without releasing anyone, effectively increasing their active roster from 53 to 55.”

Why the Bears decided to promote Bray remains a mystery, especially considering he was already protected on the practice squad. But it could just be a precaution with COVID-19 concerns.

Bears promote QB Tyler Bray to the active roster

The Bears made a surprise roster move ahead of Sunday’s game against the Colts as they promoted QB Tyler Bray to the active roster.

The Chicago Bears have made a roster move ahead of Sunday’s Week 4 contest against the Indianapolis Colts.

The Bears have promoted quarterback Tyler Bray from the practice squad to the active roster, the team announced Saturday. That makes three quarterbacks on Chicago’s active roster with starter Nick Foles and backup Mitchell Trubisky.

The move certainly comes as a surprise given the Bears already have Foles and Trubisky on the roster.

As ChicagoBears.com notes: “Due to a provision in the new Collective Bargaining Agreement that was reached in March, NFL teams can activate up to two players from their practice squad without releasing anyone, effectively increasing their active roster from 53 to 55.”

Why the Bears decided to promote Bray remains a mystery. But it could just be a precaution with COVID-19 concerns.

See which 4 practice squad players the Bears chose to protect this week

One of the new practice-squad changes this season is that teams can choose to protect four players from being lured away by another team.

One of the new practice-squad changes this season is that teams can choose to protect four players on a weekly basis from being lured away by another team.

The Chicago Bears have designated those four players for the Week 1 game against the Detroit Lions. The Bears have decided to protect kicker Cairo Santos, quarterback Tyler Bray, running back Artavis Pierce and offensive lineman Jamon Brown.

Considering the Bears just placed kicker Eddy Pineiro on injured reserve — from which he can return, at the earliest, Week 4 against the Indianapolis Colts — protecting Santos was a no-brainer. Now, Santos will be kicking for the Bears for the next three weeks.

The Bears are also playing it safe at the running back position, in deciding to protect Pierce. Which is smart considering David Montgomery’s status is up in the air following a groin injury suffered in training camp a couple of weeks ago.

Apparently Chicago believes some teams might be tempted to poach Bray from their practice squad. Bray has served as the Bears’ third-string quarterback since Matt Nagy arrived in Chicago.

Then there’s Brown, who was released by the Atlanta Falcons last month and signed to Chicago’s practice squad this week.

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Report: Bears bringing in North Texas QB Mason Fine for tryout

After not drafting or signing a rookie QB this offseason, the Bears are bringing in North Texas QB Mason Fine for a tryout.

After having one of the best careers in North Texas history, being labeled a late-round prospect and working out with New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, Mason Fine went undrafted and couldn’t find a team to sign with after the draft.

It seemed like Fine’s dream of being an NFL quarterback was coming to an end after he decided to become the quarterbacks coach at Pawhuska High School in Pawhuska, Oklahoma.

A couple of days after Fine accepted his new gig as a high school coach, he has been offered a tryout with the Chicago Bears, according to Nicholas Moreano of Chicago Audible.

Fine could possibly be named the greatest quarterback in North Texas history as he has the all-time records in yards (12,505), touchdowns (92), passer efficiency (140.68). He’s also second in career completion percentage (62.8 percent) and has the most 300-yard passing games in program history (18).

The two-time C-USA Player of the Year is coming off a season where he played 12 games and threw for 2,820 yards, 27 touchdowns and seven interceptions. The best season for Fine was in 2017, where he threw for 4,015 yards and 31 touchdowns. In his four-year career, he has thrown 32 interceptions.

It’s been a long journey for Fine, but he’s not there yet. Fine will have to impress the Bears enough to earn a spot on the 80-man roster and then will have to compete with Tyler Bray to win a spot on the 53-man roster as Mitchell Trubisky and Nick Foles battle for the starting job.

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Bears 2020 training camp preview: Quarterbacks

Ahead of training camp, we’re taking a look at the Bears’ quarterbacks, including the two that will battle for the starting job.

Chicago Bears training camp is less than three weeks away, which means it’s time to start looking ahead at the roster the team is bringing to Lake Forest.

It starts at the most important position: Quarterback. And unlike the previous two seasons where Mitchell Trubisky was the unquestioned starter, that’s not the case this season.

Trubisky will have to win the starting job over veteran Nick Foles, who the Bears shelled out a ton of cash and a fourth-round pick in a trade with Jacksonville.

Although, things will remain similar with Tyler Bray serving as Chicago’s third-string quarterback.

Let’s take a look at the quarterbacks heading into training camp.

Mitchell Trubisky

AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes

For the first time since his rookie season, Trubisky won’t be the clear-cut starter heading into training camp. This season is Trubisky’s last chance to prove to the Bears that he can be a franchise quarterback, but it’s certainly an uphill climb for the former No. 2 overall pick.

While Trubisky is coming off his worst season as a pro and has been personally challenged by Matt Nagy to become an expert at reading defenses, Trubisky also has advantage over Foles. Considering this quarterback competition can’t begin until camp begins — and given the shortened or potentially non-existent preseason — a small sample size benefits Trubisky, who has previously worked with Bears skill position players.

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Bears reveal jersey numbers for new players

The Chicago Bears unveiled jersey numbers for their new players, including QB Nick Foles, OLB Robert Quinn and TE Jimmy Graham.

For everyone creating photos of new Chicago Bears quarterback Nick Foles or outside linebacker Robert Quinn in their navy and orange uniforms, you can rest easy knowing what number jersey they will be wearing this season.

On Wednesday, the Bears announced jersey numbers for their new players and Foles will don No. 9, the same number he wore with the Philadelphia Eagles. Quarterback Tyler Bray, who previously had the number, switches to No. 8. Quinn, meanwhile, will wear number 94, the same as he wore when he was a member of the Los Angeles Rams and Miami Dolphins.

Other notable players include tight end Jimmy Graham retaining No. 80 — taking over for the released Trey Burton — and linebacker Barkevious Mingo wearing No. 50.

The team will likely reveal new jersey numbers for their rookie draft class in May following the 2020 NFL Draft this week.

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Where does the Bears’ QB situation rank among the rest of the NFL?

Between Mitchell Trubisky and Nick Foles, there’s not a whole lot of confidence in Chicago’s quarterback situation.

The Chicago Bears haven’t had much luck with quarterbacks during their storied 100-year franchise. While the tide appeared to be turning with Mitchell Trubisky last offseason, he regressed in his third season and now his future in Chicago is well in question.

General manager Ryan Pace brought in Nick Foles to compete with Trubisky for the starting quarterback position, which signals a lack of confidence in Trubisky. Even with the added competition in Foles, there’s not a whole lot of confidence in Chicago’s quarterback situation.

Sports Illustrated‘s Conor Orr ranked every NFL team’s quarterback situation heading into 2020, and the Bears are higher than some people might’ve guessed at No. 21.

Depth chart: Mitch Trubisky, Nick Foles, Tyler Bray

I will be accused of putting the Bears unfathomably high on this list, which is fair. I seem to have more faith in Nick Foles coming back to a familiar system (with a great playcaller) than most, especially in a condensed offseason. The roster contains two quarterbacks who, in the right situation, are good enough to pilot this offense to a winning season.

Trubisky and Foles will battle for the starting position this offseason. Realistically, both have the potential to lead a functioning Bears offense to victory.

But if Trubisky or Foles is going to succeed, they’re going to need help from the rest of the offense. Chicago’s offense was among the worst in the NFL last season, due to a number of issues outside of just quarterback.

Regardless of who wins the job, the Bears have two starting quarterbacks on their roster that could step in should they need to.

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Tyler Bray re-signs with Chicago

Tyler Bray re-signs with Chicago.

CHICAGO — Former University of Tennessee quarterback Tyler Bray has re-signed with the Chicago Bears during the NFL’s free agency period.

Bray, who played for the Volunteers between 2010-12, was on Chicago’s practice squad to start the 2019 season. He was promoted to the Bears’ active roster on Oct. 5 to back up Chase Daniel.

Daniel was promoted to the starting quarterback position after starter Mitchell Trubisky went down with an injury.

Prior to joining Chicago in 2018, Bray spent five seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs.

He went undrafted out of Tennessee after declaring for the 2013 NFL Draft along with other Vol players Cordarrelle Patterson (who also played for the Bears last season), Justin Hunter and Darrington Sentimore.

Bray was signed by the Chiefs in 2013. He has attempted only one pass in the NFL during his career.

The Bears are bringing back QB Tyler Bray

While the Bears’ QB room is going to look different this season, it appears there will be a second familiar face in Tyler Bray.

While the Bears’ quarterback room is going to look different this season, it appears there will be at least two familiar faces.

Third-string quarterback Tyler Bray has re-signed with the Bears, according to Field Yates, where he’ll sit behind Mitchell Trubisky and newcomer Nick Foles, who will both be vying for the starting job in 2020.

Bray has been with the Bears since 2018, when he was brought in to serve as a mentor for Trubisky and to serve on Chicago’s practice squad. Bray has played under Nagy during his two seasons with the Bears, as well as with the Chiefs in 2014 and 2017.

Under the new collective bargaining rules, Bray is once again a candidate for the Bears practice squad, where there’s no limit on the number of years that a player is eligible for the practice squad.

Bray’s re-signing doesn’t necessarily rule out Chicago targeting a quarterback in this year’s draft. Considering the continued struggles at the quarterback position, general manager Ryan Pace needs to at least target a developmental prospect in the draft.

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Grading the 2019 Bears by position: Quarterbacks

We’re taking a look at how the 2019 Bears performed by position. First up: The QBs, which as you can imagine, didn’t live to expectations.

It’s no secret the Chicago Bears underperformed in 2019, finishing with a record of 8-8 and third place in the NFC North. But how did each individual player perform throughout the season?

This series will grade each Bears player for the 2019 regular season by their position. First up, the quarterbacks.

Mitchell Trubisky: D+

Stacy Revere/Getty Images

The most polarizing figure in Chicago sports, Mitchell Trubisky entered 2019 with high hopes after a season in which he threw 24 touchdowns and added three scores on the ground. The former second overall pick in the 2017 NFL draft showed signs of becoming an effective dual-threat option with his mobility outside of the pocket. Would he take the next step in his third season in the league and become the franchise quarterback Bears fans have been waiting years for?

Absolutely not. Trubisky floundered in 2019 for most of the year, unwilling to push the ball down the field and limiting the Bears offense, which finished at the bottom of the league in nearly every statistical category. When he did throw downfield, he missed wide-open receivers on a consistent basis. Whether the issue fell more on Trubisky’s play or coach Matt Nagy’s play calling, the QB clearly wasn’t able to effectively execute the coach’s game plan.

Trubisky did have a couple of games late in the season where he flashed the potential the Bears front office continues to rave about, and he was hurt by the ineffectiveness at the tight end position. But make no mistake, he was awful in 2019. Through his first seven games of the season, Trubisky accounted for just five touchdowns. His late surge saw him finish the season with 17 touchdowns (27th in the NFL), 3138 yards (21st) and a quarterback rating of 83.0 (28th).

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