The Chicago Bears finalized the initial 53-man roster on Tuesday with some surprise additions joining the squad going into the regular season.

To reach that number, some tough decisions had to be made when it came down to which players to cut from the roster, but it’s not the end of the road for some players in Chicago.

With waiver claims now official, the Bears can get started building the 16-man practice squad and a few familiar faces are starting to make their way back into the building.

Chicago Bears 16-Man Practice Squad Tracker

WR JP Richardson

After impressing the staff early in training camp, JP Richardson’s big plays weren’t able to fully translate in the preseason. Against the Buffalo Bills, Richardson suffered an ankle injury that sealed his fate while another UDFA at the position earned a final roster spot in Jahdae Walker. Yet, Richardson’s knowledge of the playbook and flashes made him worth keeping around.

“JP is a guy that has come in here and been very intentional about learning the playbook,” offensive coordinator Declan Doyle said. “The first thing is always, ‘Do you know what to do?’ And at that point in time, you kind of unlock your ability to show off your ability. He’s done a really good job of coming in and learning it. He’s an athletic guy. He has a little bit of twitch to him in the route tree and… it’s been fun to see.”

DE Tanoh Kpassagnon

Many penciled Tanoh Kpassagnon on their 53-man roster projections but he ended up missing the cut in the defensive end room. After signing with the team at the start of camp, Kpassagnon brought some depth to the defensive front and had previous experience playing for Dennis Allen.

The Bears ended up keeping five defensive ends, so having Kpassagnon back in the fold as emergency depth makes sense. I could see this guy getting elevated on game days in the near future.

RB Brittain Brown

After signing with the team late in camp as a preseason body in the backfield, Brittain Brown impressed with his ability to run the ball, tying a team-high in rushing yards in the preseason.

The Bears opted to keep just three running backs on the 53-man roster in D’Andre Swift, Roschon Johnson, and seventh-round rookie Kyle Monangai. A light room that looks even more thin when you factor in Johnson and Monangai’s current injuries. Having Brown back in the fold on the practice squad gives the team some reassurance in the backfield.

WR Maurice Alexander

After jumping from Detroit to Chicago with head coach Ben Johnson, Maurice Alexander made some impressive plays in the preseason as a returner and receiver. His added value in both areas, and familiarity with Johnson, will be key to have in the building.

WR Miles Boykin

Miles Boykin was another player who missed the cut in a tight wide receiver battle but is a proven special teams contributor. He played 18 special teams snaps for the team in the preseason.

TE Stephen Carlson

A familiar face in Chicago, Stephen Carlson sticks around on the practice squad yet again under a new staff after fellow tight end Joel Wilson was claimed off waivers by the Tennessee Titans.

DE Xavier Carlton

The undrafted free agent pass rusher has some developmental upside to continue harnessing. Xavier Carlton has always fit the ideal mold for a Dennis Allen edge rusher.

LB Power Echols

Another UDFA defender who played a whopping 78 total snaps for the Bears in the preseason totaling two tackles. His effort and reliability clearly impressed the coaching staff.

DB Tre Flowers

Like Kpassagnon, Tre Flowers was added to the roster at the start of camp to give the team some depth on defense. The veteran cornerback allowed one reception on eight targets in the preseason.

DL Jonathan Ford

After being snatched off the Green Bay Packers practice squad during the 2024 season, Jonathan Ford has provided some nice depth to the interior of the defensive front. As a big man, Ford can fill in running lanes and played four games last season after Andrew Billings went down.

DB Mekhi Garner

Mekhi Garner was a recent addition to the camp roster after injuries stacked up at the cornerback position in the preseason. Garner appeared in the final two games allowing two receptions on nine targets in coverage.

DL Jamree Kromah

Back for another stint on the practice squad. Jamree Kromah got signed off the practice squad by the New England Patriots last season but made his way back to Chicago. Kromah provides some nice versatility as a player who played inside and off the edge in college.

OL Jordan McFadden

After an impressive preseason showing, the Bears attempted to shop Jordan McFadden after realizing he wouldn’t be able to crack the 53-man roster in an overhauled offensive line. No team took the bait, or claimed him off waivers. He’s someone the Bears are likely excited to have back.

OL Ricky Stromberg

Ricky Stromberg was the other offensive lineman added back to the practice squad. The former highly ranked center coming out of college can continue developing with the Bears.

LS Luke Elkin

An expected decision here to keep Luke Elkin on the practice squad. The rookie long snapper played alongside starting punter Tory Taylor at Iowa and has familiarity working with him. It’s also notable that the Bears released long snapper Scott Daly on Wednesday, who made the initial 53-man roster.

Practice Squad Rules Explained

The NFL increased the size of the practice squad during COVID and kept some of the adjusted rules. Of the 16 players, 10 must be players with up to two accrued seasons, and there’s no restrictions for the other six. The league has also allowed a 17th player on the practice squad with a roster exemption as part of the International Pathway Program.

During the season, teams can elevate practice squad players for gameday. Each player can be elevated up to three times for the same time without being a member of the active 53-man roster. After the game, the player reverts back to the PS. For the playoffs, there is no limit of elevations for each individual player, even though any team can only elevate two players per game.

Other teams are allowed to sign players off another team’s practice squad, but that player must be added to the other team’s 53-man roster. Players cannot be moved from one practice squad to another.

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All eyes are now on Week 1.

Kole Noble