Bears HC Ben Johnson adds another UFL player to Chicago’s roster — this time someone he’s actually familiar with
The Chicago Bears are expected to add another UFL player to the 91-man roster in wide receiver Kaden Davis, who actually spent one summer working with Ben Johnson while with the Detroit Lions.
The Chicago Bears are now expected to make a second signing from the UFL after the league’s spring season concluded over the weekend after it was reported that the team was expected to sign linebacker Tony Fields II on Monday.
Wide receiver Kaden Davis is the second name expected to join Chicago’s 91-man roster when the team returns for training camp. On Monday, the Bears also worked out another wide receiver in Kristian Wilkerson but decided to move forward with Davis.
Davis previously last played in the NFL for the Cleveland Browns, appearing in three games from 2024-25 prior to joining the UFL with the Houston Gamblers this spring.
Chicago Bears HC Ben Johnson has history with new WR Kaden Davis
Along with the Browns, Davis also spent time in the NFL with the Denver Broncos, Arizona Cardinals, and the Detroit Lions. Davis was with the Lions for the 2024 summer working with then offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. Clearly that history played a role in Johnson wanting to bring him into the building in Chicago.
Davis wasn’t the most accomplished player during his first stint in the NFL but brings added value as a returner, a position he also played with the Gamblers. The Bears already have a deep wide receiver room going into training camp, but Johnson’s comments earlier in the offseason explain why this decision was made.
“We’re always looking to add competition and my experience has been, you can’t have enough of those guys,” Johnson said back in rookie minicamp. “Particularly over the course of training camp, you know guys are going to get dinged up. You need to have a stable of those guys to be able to ensure you get enough reps for the quarterbacks and everyone else. I think depth is going to be one of the things we’re on the lookout for here over the course of spring and training camp.”
A depth addition was finally made and it’s someone that at least has experience with the offense and can add some extra value on special teams. Davis likely won’t show enough to earn a 53-man roster spot, but he can still be a serviceable player for the team throughout camp and maybe even earn a practice squad spot.
Once the signings of Fields and Davis are official, the Bears will need to make two corresponding moves to free open roster spots.