Reinforcements Incoming: Bears reportedly sign three DBs after tryouts |
Dustin Riese
· · 3 hours ago
After the news broke that the Chicago Bears were working out eight defensive backs on Monday, you had to figure that some transaction move was coming. Here we are just a day later, and in fact, the Bears are adding to their roster as three of those eight defensive backs are coming to terms on contracts to join the Bears.
This is worth noting considering the injury that Jaylon Johnson suffered and one might wonder if Johnson is going to be ready for the season opener against the Vikings on Monday night football. From all accounts, it does appear that Johnson should be good to go for that game, barring any setbacks, but the Bears aren't going to take any chances, as these three players are solely being added as depth pieces for this organization. The first addition that we are going to discuss is Safety Mark Perry. A former standout for TCU, Perry was an undrafted free agent following the 2023 season and has since bounced around multiple teams. His stops have included the Miami Dolphins, as well as the Houston Texans, Tennessee Titans and New England Patriots. Apart from Miami, with whom he initially signed, the rest of his NFL experience has come on the practice squad, as Perry is looking for an opportunity to at the very least show what he can do. The 6-0, 200-pound Perry may not be seen as a difference maker, but when you look at his track record with the Horned Frogs, he is someone who knows how to make plays. Across five collegiate seasons, Perry registered 234 tackles and three interceptions, with all those interceptions coming in 2021 during his final season with Colorado. He also had two career sacks as he continued to show his versatility on the field. Perhaps the most intriguing addition to the defense is that of defensive back Mekhi Garner, who also came into the league as an undrafted free agent. Unlike Perry, who has yet to make an impact, Garner has seen minimal time on an NFL field, appearing in three games with the Philadelphia Eagles as a special teamer. His game experience goes way beyond that, as he also spent some time with the Arlington Renegades of the UFL. Even if the UFL isn't considered an elite league talent-wise, it's still a game experience nonetheless, and that is something that every team loves to have when bringing in depth pieces. At 6-2 and 212 pounds, Garner is not only huge when it comes to a defensive back, but is also a physical presence that the Bears' secondary room hasn't always had. Despite not coming away with a single college interception, Garner had a knack for finding the football as he finished his college career with 104 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and 23 pass deflections. The pass deflections are what stand out, as he didn't have any issues going up to contest a football and doing what it takes to knock it free. Out of the three players being signed, Garner has a great shot to stick with the Bears long-term, as his special teams experience is going to come in handy. Last, but certainly not least, Kaleb Hayes is getting an opportunity to stick with the Bears a little while longer as he became the third player of the group to earn a contract. A former Oregon State standout who eventually transferred to BYU, Hayes is another undrafted player who initially signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars after the 2023 NFL draft. Hayes has also spent time with the New York Giants, Denver Broncos, and was even part of the Green Bay Packers' practice squad this summer before being let go and latching on to the Bears. Not much of a playmaker in college, Hayes still managed to come away with close to 120 tackles across his career and had one interception that he returned 46 yards. It will be interesting to see if any of these players stick long-term or if this is just a bunch of short-term injury fill-ins.
