Rookie minicamps represent a first opportunity for teams to turn over the bottom of their respective rosters. Earlier, we discussed the additions of Matt Fleming, John Franklin III, and Jeremy Hall … but the Chicago Bears weren’t done adding quite yet.
In addition to Fleming, Franklin, and Hall, the Bears announced that tryout participants Tyrin Holloway and Matt McCants also signed contracts on Monday.
Holloway is a Western Illinois University product who played four years at Liberty University. He came up with three interceptions for the Leathernecks last year. According to Jeanna Thomas of The Falcoholic, Holloway said he believes his versatility (including an ability to play corner, safety and special teams) can be a strength.
“I know the game real well, and my height is a good thing for that, and I’ve got great ball skills,” Holloway said. “I can just bring a lot of turnovers, so definitely a lot of turnovers. When I see the ball, I catch it.”
The Bears could certainly use any help it can get in the turnover department from its secondary.
This will be McCants’ second stint with the Bears, having been claimed off waivers by the team in December 2016. McCants was a sixth-round pick (201st overall) by the New York Giants in 2012, was part of the team’s final round of cuts, and spent his entire rookie season on the team’s practice squad.
And with the arrivals come departures. Offensive lineman Cameron Lee and outside linebacker Howard Jones were released on Monday. Both made late-season appearances for the Bears in 2017. Offensive lineman Travis Averill, as well as linebacker Nyles Morgan were also let go. Averill signed with the team’s practice squad in November, while Morgan was an undrafted free agent signing last week.