Ian Wheeler - Pro Football Rumors

Bears Move CB Zah Frazier To Reserve/NFI List, Cut 11

August 25th, 2025 at 2:14pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Bears were among the teams which moved early in beginning their roster cuts. Chicago has announced another batch of moves today while continuing to move toward the requisite 53:

Placed on Reserve/NFI list:

CB Zah Frazier

Released:

DB Tre Flowers
RB Royce Freeman
OL Joshua Miles

Waived:

As a result of today’s transactions, the Bears are down to 73 on their roster. Like all other teams, they have until tomorrow afternoon to reach the roster limit.

Frazier will be required to miss at least the first four weeks of the season given his spot on the non-football injury list. Losing the fifth-round rookie until at least October adds further to the injury issues at the cornerback position for Chicago. Terrell Smith was placed on injured reserve yesterday, ending his season.

The tight end spot is crowded for the Bears, so Wilson being let go comes as little surprise. After leading the team in preseason receptions, though, he could remain in the Windy City through the start of the campaign. KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson reports Chicago plans to retain the 25-year-old via the practice squad provided he clears waivers.

Minor NFL Transactions: 7/19/25

July 19th, 2025 at 8:08pm CST by Adam La Rose

Saturday’s minor moves around the NFL:

Arizona Cardinals

Signed: DT Kyon Barrs

Chicago Bears

Placed on active/NFI list: CB Jaylon Johnson, QB Case Keenum, WR Jahdae Walker, RB Ian Wheeler

Cincinnati Bengals

Placed on active/PUP list: TE Erick All
Placed on active/NFI list: C Seth McLaughlin

Jacksonville Jaguars

Placed on active/PUP list: LB Dennis Gardeck

New England Patriots

Placed on active/PUP list: WR Mack Hollins, TE Austin Hooper, OT Vederian Lowe, LB Jahlani Tavai
Placed on active/NFI list: CB Carlton Davis, S Josh Minkins, WR Jeremiah Webb

New York Jets

Placed on active/PUP list: DE Jermaine Johnson, WR Irvin Charles
Placed on active/NFI list: LB Aaron Smith

Washington Commanders

Placed on active/NFI list: T Timothy McKay

The Cardinals were one of the two teams Barrs visited yesterday. His free agent workout clearly went well, and he will look to carve out a roster spot during training camp. Barrs, a former UDFA, has yet to make a regular season appearance.

Every player on a PUP or NFI list can be activated at any time, but their designations mean they are not cleared to practice at the start of their respective training camps. Notably, the Patriots’ list of PUP players does not include Stefon Diggs. The free agent addition was a candidate to begin camp on the PUP list, but New England’s decision to keep him on the active roster is an encouraging sign regarding his ACL recovery.

The Jets are taking a cautious approach with Jermaine Johnson, as the former first-rounder confirmed on X. An Achilles tear limited him to two games last year, but the Pro Bowler said on Saturday he is ready for on-field work. Activation well in advance of Week 1 should be expected in his case.

Minor NFL Transactions: 8/24/24

August 24th, 2024 at 8:17pm CST by Adam La Rose

Saturday’s minor moves:

Chicago Bears

Placed on IR: WR Nsimba Webster, RB Ian Wheeler
Waived (injury designation): S Douglas Coleman, DL Keith Randolph
Released: TE Tommy Sweeney

Miami Dolphins

Released from IR via injury settlement: WR Willie Snead

Bears Sign Nine UDFAs

May 9th, 2024 at 12:28pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Bears kicked off the 2024 draft, and the team also owned the No. 9 pick. Chicago only made three other selections during the weekend, though, leaving room for a number of undrafted players to take part in rookie minicamp. Here are the Bears’ UDFA additions:

Brenden Bates, TE (Kentucky)
Theo Benedet, T (British Columbia)
Carl Jones Jr., LB (UCLA)
Jamree Kromah, DL (James Madison)
Peter LeBlanc, WR (Louisiana)
Keith Randolph Jr., DT (Illinois)
Austin Reed, QB (Western Kentucky)
Reddy Steward, DB (Troy)
Ian Wheeler, RB (Howard)

Randolph did not enter the draft with nearly as much acclaim as fellow Illinois D-lineman Jer’Zhan Newton, but he received a notable financial commitment from the Bears. Randolph secured $200K in guaranteed salary along with a $20K signing bonus, Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 reports. The 6-5, 270-pounder amassed 10 sacks over the past three seasons and he will aim to provide depth along the defensive interior this year.

Chicago’s other lucrative financial investment was made in Benedet. Just like college teammate Giovanni Manu, Benedet put himself on the NFL radar during his time with the Thunderbirds. The latter received $100K in total guarantees, per Wilson. Benedet earned first-team All-Canadian honors in each of the past two seasons, and he was selected by his hometown BC Lions in this year’s CFL draft. If he does not make the Bears’ initial roster, therefore, he will have a path to playing time north of the border.

Reed began his college career at Southern Illinois, redshirting with the team in 2018. That was followed by a transfer to West Florida, with whom he won the Division II championship. Reed sat out the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign before ultimately finishing his college tenure at Western Kentucky. Over two seasons with the Hilltoppers, he amassed 8,086 passing yards while throwing 71 touchdowns and 22 interceptions. Reed added 12 rushing scores over that span, and he will aim to parlay that dual-threat skillset into at least a practice squad spot in 2024.