Bears Rookie Minicamp: UDFA has a chance to reunite with Caleb Williams on the roster this weekend

This is perhaps the most intriguing storyline of the weekend in Chicago. John Jackson III, former Nevada wide receiver, officially received a camp invite from the Bears and will be looking to compete for a spot in what has now become a crowded WR room.

However, that's not even the most intriguing part. Prior to transferring Nevada, Jackson spent the first four seasons of his college career at USC, where he overlapped with the Bears' first overall pick during the 2022 season.

According to T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Jackson is best friends with Williams and Jackson is the one who got in contact with Houshmandzadeh to get Odunze to come train at USC with Williams before the draft. Now, all three players will be on the field together.

2. DT Keith Randolph, Illinois

The Bears were expected to be aggressive in the defensive tackle market during the start of free agency and entering the draft but never ended up with one of the top names, in fact, they haven’t added a single defensive tackle all offseason.

Perhaps one name over the weekend could fulfill the need the Bears were searching for at the position that the rest of the league forgot to draft in Illinois' Keith Randolph.

According to The Athletic’s Dane Brugler , Randolph had a 6th round draft grade but ended up in Chicago as an undrafted free agent after playing through an ankle injury during the 2023 season. However, the season prior, Randolph recorded 32 pressures, 13.0 tackles for a loss, and 4.5 sacks. He's exactly the kind of player who would fit into Matt Eberflus' defensive scheme as a former team captain who could stick in Chicago.

3. QB Austin Reed, Western Kentucky

This time last year, a former Division II quarterback named Tyson Bagent flew under everyone's radar until he landed himself a spot in Chicago as an undrafted free agent. Bagent went on to win the backup quarterback job over Nathan Peterman and started four games (2-2 record) during his rookie season.

Now, another undrafted quarterback with Division II ties is looking to make his mark in Chicago. Immediately after the draft ended, the Bears were quick to sign former Western Kentucky quarterback Austin Reed as an undrafted free agent.

Just two seasons ago, Reed led the entire FBS in passing yards in his first year at Western Kentucky. Before transferring to WKU, Reed spent three seasons in West Florida's Division II program. Seeing Reed's adjustment under center and in the pistol will be key to watch this weekend after playing the heavy majority of his snaps in the shut gun in Western Kentucky's air raid offense.

4. RB Ian Wheeler, Howard

The Bears also had some strong interest in the running back position this offseason despite having Khalil Herbert, Roschon Johnson and Travis Homer on the roster. After locking up D'Andre Swift on a sizable contract in free agency, the Bears still sniffed around some of the later round prospects at the position.

The one the Bears eventually brought in after the draft was Howard's Ian Wheeler, whom the team signed to a massive 3-year, $2,830,000 UDFA rookie contract. That's a major contract for an undrafted free agent and clearly Wheeler has already impressed the right people before the rookie minicamp even begins.

Wheeler is an dynamic athlete who originally played defense before moving to running back and was a major difference maker on special teams. During his final season in 2023, Wheeler rushed for 7.3 yards per carry and averaged 29.1 yards per return on kickoffs. With his age and versatility, Wheeler could easily challenge Homer for his role on special teams at the position.

5. TE Brenden Bates, Kentucky

Currently, there are only three confirmed tight ends on the Bears' roster coming out of the draft, which will be a heavily utilized position under new offensive coordinator Shane Waldron. The two starters will be Cole Kmet and Gerald Everett but behind them, Stephen Carlson was the only other tight end on the team entering the draft.

That opens the door for former Kansas' tight end Brenden Bates to make the roster or at the very least land on the practice squad. Bates didn’t have the most impressive college career on the stat sheet but averaged 22.3 yards per reception in 2023.

Brugler noted the lack of production was a concern but also said that "Bates is a better pass catcher than his production would indicate, and he has the size/speed tools to develop into a complementary Y tight end." With a good showing over the weekend, Bates could prove that to be the case. If not, expect the Bears to find a TE elsewhere.