Bears lose a popular undrafted rookie to a division rival after never really giving him a chance during his first NFL season
The Chicago Bears' 2024 season quickly took a disastrous turn after starting the season 4-2 and by Week 15 the team was officially eliminated from playoff contention.Even during a 10-game losing streak, the Bears continued to remain bullish about playing the same starters, including rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, as opposed to seeing what other players […]
The Chicago Bears' 2024 season quickly took a disastrous turn after starting the season 4-2 and by Week 15 the team was officially eliminated from playoff contention.
Even during a 10-game losing streak, the Bears continued to remain bullish about playing the same starters, including rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, as opposed to seeing what other players on the roster could show during a lost season.
In Williams' case, it made sense, but not with some of the other players on the team. It also made sense from a coaching perspective considering interim head coach Thomas Brown was fighting to earn the full time gig down the stretch.
But the downside of not playing some of the younger players to see what they can do still remained and it restricted the front office from seeing some of their developmental players on the roster in regular season action.
Shortly after the season ended, the Bears still managed to identify nine developmental players who deserved to stick around in 2025 after offering reserve/future contracts but one young player was surprisingly didn't make the list.
Undrafted rookie cornerback Reddy Steward did not sign a future contract with the Bears, which made him free to sign with any team he wished. That's not saying the Bears didn't offer him one, they very well could have and Steward might have just simply declined it to keep his options open. Either way, he won't be back in Chicago in 2025 and other teams were happy to see that happen.
According to Aaron Wilson, multiple teams lined up to sign Steward to a future deal after he didn't sign one with the Bears. Ultimately, Steward landed in Minnesota with the Vikings on Tuesday and will have the opportunity to compete for a roster spot.
The former Troy standout had a strong camp with the Bears filling in on the starting defense at nickel while Kyler Gordon nursed an injury. During the preseason, Steward played in all four games. In those games, he was targeted 15 times allowing 12 receptions for 69 yards and one touchdown, but he had two interceptions in the final preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Despite the strong showing in the final preseason game, Steward was left off the Bears' 53-man roster and was instead brought back on the practice squad. It took until Week 9 for Steward to get elevated for a regular season game.
Against the Arizona Cardinals, Steward played 18 defensive snaps and had a forced fumbled on his one tackle of the game. Unfortunately, the team never elevated him from the practice squad again.
He's someone that certainly should have gotten more playing time, especially at the end of the season once the year was a bust for the team.
Good on the Vikings and other teams for seeing the talent in Steward and going after him once he became a free agent.
Bears reach future deals with 9 practice squad players, including rookie fan favorite and someone who could compete for a starting job in 2025
Good options to keep around in 2025.
