Tell me it is a new season of Chicago Bears football without saying it is a new season of Chicago Bears football.
I’ll start.
There were eight players at Halas Hall for tryouts on Tuesday, according to the Chicago Tribune’s Brad Biggs. Nothing like ringing in the new year with a wave of workouts at Bears HQ after Week 1. Here is a brief look:
- Wide receiver David Wallis — A Division III standout at Randolph-Macon College, Wallis was impressive with in the preseason as the New England Patriots return specialist. Wallis averaged 28.9 yards on the seven kick returns he handled this summer. Maybe that is a person of interest worth signing and flexing onto a game day roster.
- Wide receiver Cornelius Johnson — Johnson got to experience a whole bunch of winning at the college football level while playing for the Michigan Wolverines. A seventh-round draft pick by the Chargers in last April’s NFL Draft, Johnson didn’t make it onto the active roster.
- Wide receiver Kearis Jackson — The University of Georgia product was a second-team All-SEC performer in 2022 and a two-time national champion while playing with the Bulldogs. Jackson briefly made the Tennessee Titans 53-man roster in 2023 as a punt returner before suffering an ankle injury that landed him on injured reserve.
- Wide receiver Jordan Kerley — Played some collegiate football at Arizona State and SMU. He did spend some time as a punt returner with the Mustangs in 2021 and 2022. Just something to keep an eye on for later.
- Quarterback Gavin Hardison — Went unselected in the 2024 NFL Draft after playing at New Mexico Military Institute and UTEP before signing with the Miami Dolphins as a UDFA. Hardison had Tommy John surgery in November 2023. NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero mentioned him as a potential draft sleeper:
- Tight end Armani Rogers — The 26-year-old UNLV and University of Ohio product played 11 games for the Washington Football Team in 2022, catching 5 passes for 64 yards. His next touchdown in the NFL will be his first.
- Tight end Joel Wilson — A third-team All-MAC performer in 2022 for Central Michigan, Wilson has bounced around the roster fingers of the New Orleans Saints (2023), Buffalo Bills (2023), and Green Bay Packers (2023-24).
- Cornerback Damarion Williams — The Ravens chose Williams in the fourth round (141st overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft. The University of Houston product has 15 games of NFL experience under his belt.
Why are the Bears hosting tryouts at Halas Hall?
I do my best not to read too much into big bunches of early-season tryouts. However, it is worth pointing out that this is a good time of the year for teams to freshen up their contacts, update their Rolodexes, and keep a scouting eye sharp. Plus, bringing in players for tryouts and workouts can also serve as a motivational tool for those on the roster fringes. Few things spark improvement like healthy competition. Surely, the Bears understand that (and so do their players).
In any case, let’s keep tabs on who the Bears are bringing in for workouts. You just never know who will show up (or make their way onto the roster).