NEWSLETTER
I got a good chuckle when the Bears signed 11 players to reserve/future contracts around this time last year.
Think about.
When the NFL offseason opened its doors for teams that didn’t make the playoffs and reserve/future contracts could be signed, Chicago’s football team didn’t have a general manager or head coach in place. But it didn’t keep them from being active. And as the Bears embark on another offseason that figures to feature a ton of roster movement, these are our first steps toward building that 90-player offseason roster.
Here are the seven players who signed reserve/future contracts with the Bears today:
Chase Allen, tight end — The rookie from Iowa State played two offensive plays and was on the field for seven special teams snaps in Chicago’s Week 16 loss to Buffalo. Allen had some buzz after signing as a UDFA. Perhaps an offseason of professional workouts will make him a summertime factor when training camp rolls around.
Adrian Colbert, safety — Colbert signed with the Bears after Eddie Jackson’s injury put him on the sidelines. He played 10 special teams snaps in Week 13 against the Packers and another 10 more in the regular-season finale against the Vikings.
Kuony Deng, linebacker — Deng worked out for the Bears in September. But he didn’t join the team until a December roster shakeup that coincided with Khalil Herbert’s designation to return from IR.
Kellen Diesch, offensive tackle — A developmental offensive lineman product who played collegiately at Texas A&M and Arizona State, Diesch checks in at 6-7 and 300 pounds. In his final season at Arizona State, Diesch earned All-Pac-12 second-team honors.
Gerri Green, defensive end — The Colts took Green in the sixth round of the 2019 NFL Draft with pick No. 199. You know who else was chosen in Round 6 with the 199th overall pick? Tom Brady. I’m just saying…
Jake Tonges, tight end — An undrafted free agent out of Cal, Tonges appeared in games against the Niners, Texans, Giants, and Eagles. He played a total of 16 offensive snaps in four games.
Nsimba Webster, receiver — Webster has spent time on the active roster in each of the last two seasons. A waiver claim by the Bears before the 2021 season, Webster made his first career catch during Week 15 of the 2022 campaign.
I’m certain others will sign on the dotted line throughout the offseason. Again, this is just the beginning.
UPDATE — Well, that didn’t take long:
Daurice Fountain, wide receiver — Fountain was a Colts fifth-round pick in 2018 who has eight games of professional experience under his belt. Two of those games came while as a member of the Chiefs in 2021. In other words, Matt Eberflus (who was with the Colts in 2018) and Ryan Poles (who was in K.C. in 2021) should know him well.
Donovan Jeter, defensive tackle — The University of Michigan product played 18 defensive snaps and was in on 7 special teams plays for Washington’s football team during their Week 2 loss to the Lions.
