Rutgers Receivers Among Bears Signings
The Bears began signing long-shot undrafted free agents shortly after the draft.
It's a process likely to net them no more than one or two players on the 53-man roster for opening day, although it could lead to practice squad players. Even last year, when they had just torn up the roster and salary cap, the 53-man roster after final cuts had only Jaylon Jones, Jack Sanborn and Jake Tonges from among their own unsigned free agents.
Later, they added some unsigned free agents who got cut by other teams like Sterling Weatherford and cornerback Josh Blackwell.
The list includes Tyson Bagent of Shepherd, a 6-foot-3, 213-pound quarterback who set NCAA Division II passing records. Bagent's father Travis reported this signing. NFL Draft Bible had regarded him as the seventh-best quarterback prospect in this draft class.
Rutgers wide receivers Aron Cruickshank and Sean Ryan were also signed, per USA Today Network's Chris Iseman. Cruickshank, a 5-9, 170-pound slot receiver, had 107 catches for 2,564 yards and four TDs playing for both Wisconsin and Rutgers. He carried the ball 40 times for 360 yards and three TDs.
Ryan was the X-receiver type who is 6-3, 198 and made 107 catches for 1,484 yards with seven touchdowns for Rutgers, West Virginia and Temple.
Another receiver who signed with the Bears was 6-3, 200-pound Thyrick Pitts, according to Dave Fawcett of the website Insidenova.com. Pitts was at Delaware for six seasons and made 172 catches for 2,429 yards and 23 touchdowns. He was reported to have run a 4.37-second 40 at a pro day.
The Bears didn't draft a tight end but did sign Stony Brook tight end Damien Caffrey, per the school. Caffrey can play fullback or tight end. The 6-6, 255-pounder made 16 catches for 152 yards at Long Island University and at Stony Brook.
They also signed the teammate of Bears fourth-round receiver Tyler Scott, 6-foot-9, 330-pound Lorenz Metz. Justin Williams of The Athletic, who covers Cincinnati football, reported this signing.
Among other linemen signed were USC tackle Bobby Haskins, per the school, and Pitt guard Gabe Houy, reported by long-time sports reporter Jerry DiPaola of the Tribune-Review. Haskins is 6-6, 297 while Houy is 6-6, 325.
Another role player they signed was Connecticut fullback/running back Robert Burns, a versatile 5-11, 225-pounder who played three years first for Miami. The Hartford Courant reported this signing.
The Bears did sign a kicker to provide competition at camp for Cairo Santos. If the name Andre Szmyt sounds familiar, it's because he kicked in high school at Vernon Hills, just a couple minutes drive from Halas Hall.
The Syracuse kicker was at Halas Hall on a local visit. His 454 points rank 13th in NCAA history. He made 81% of his field goals and won the Lou Groza Award in 2018 when he was a unanimous All-American.
Other signings include:
- Arizona defensive end Jalen Harris, per Justin Spears of ESPN radio.
- Oklahoma defensive back Justin Broiles per Draft Diamonds.
- Offensive lineman Nicholas Amoah of Cal-Davis, reported by his agents.
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