Bears Bring in Developmental Lineman

The Bears have added Roy Mbaeteka to their roster through the NFL International Player Pathway Program.

A 6-foot-9, 23-year-old, 320-pound tackle, Mbaeteka was part of the program last year in camp with the New York Giants. He came to the Giants without any high school or college experience.

Mbaeteka was among three players who were brought to train at the NFL Academy in London in October of 2021. Then Mbaeteka was among 13 players selected to compete for a spot in the pathway program. Part of the program allowed him an opportunity to work with former NFL center LeCharles Bentley as he tried to develop as a lineman.

The program is designed to help establish a pathway to the NFL for international players. Each season the NFL designates a division at random for its IPP program. Players in the program do not count against the 90-man offseason roster.

When training camp ends, these players can sign with their team or go through waivers. Like any NFL player, if they clear waivers they can sign to their assigned team's practice squad and the practice squad gets an exemption for his spot. If they do go on a practice squad, unlike with other players on the practice squad, they can't be signed to any team's active roster that season.

The program has been operating since 2017 and has produced players like Efe Obada, Jakob Johnson and Jordan Mailata.

three players to train at the NFL Academy in London in October. Three months later, Mbaeteka was one of 13 players selected to compete for a spot in the 2022 International Player Pathway program. He also received an opportunity to work with former NFL center LeCharles Bentley developing his craft as an offensive lineman.

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