NEWSLETTER
Even though the Chicago Bears chose not to pick anyone in the 2018 NFL Supplemental Draft, one of the prospects who was eligible to be selected could still find himself with the team.
Now that the draft in our rear-view mirror, Oregon State linebacker Bright Ugwoegbu is available to be signed by anyone … and the Bears are among the teams rumored to be interested in signing him.
Rotoworld’s Thor Nystrom broke down the draft’s eligible players and projected where they could land. Nystrom predicted the Bears would sign Ugwoegbu as an undrafted free agent after the draft concluded. However, it’s worth pointing out that the Bears aren’t the only team in the mix. Eric Galko of the Sporting News believes Ugwoegbu will sign with the Seattle Seahawks. Galko also has the Bears, 49ers, and Patriots listed among the teams who could be interested, and thus, possibilities to swoop in for a summer signing.
Ugwoegbu was going to be one of Oregon State’s best returning players in 2018. He had 20 career starts under his belt at the time of his departure and was the team’s fifth-leading tackler. But in early April, Ugwoegbu was suspended indefinitely to start spring football practice. And in June, Ugwoegbu left the team and made himself available for the supplemental draft. Ugwoegbu did not participate in spring practices and a school spokesman said the experienced linebacker left the team for personal reasons.
The Bears attended Ugwoegbu’s Pro Day, but his numbers were relatively uninspiring. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.97 seconds, posted a 33-inch vertical, and finished the 3-cone drill in 7.38 seconds. Despite Ugwoegbu’s underwhelming numbers, he could be the kind of player who impresses in camp because of his high motor and lands on a practice squad. So until Ugwoegbu is signed, we’ll keep an eye on where his name pops up on the rumor mill.
