The Chicago Bears take advantage of a loophole to get a 91st spot on their offseason roster.
The Chicago Bears wrapped up their rookie minicamp yesterday, and after getting a closer look at some tryout players, they have made an adjustment to the 90-man offseason roster.
The Bears signed undrafted rookie cornerback Jeremiah Walker from Stephen F. Austin earlier today. The 6′, 195-pound 23-year-old appeared in 11 games for the Lumberjacks in 2024, his junior season, with 59 total tackles, one forced fumble, and three passes defended. As a freshman, his four interceptions led the team.
To make room for Walker, the Bears placed punter Tory Taylor on the Exempt/International Player list, which means he does not count towards the 90-man offseason limit. They did this same thing last offseason because Taylor qualifies for the International Player Pathway (IPP) program.
According to NFL.com, a player qualifies as an international player if his “citizenship and principal place of residence are outside the United States and Canada,” and if he has a “maximum of two years of United States high school experience.”
Taylor can stay on the exempt list until they set their 53-man roster.
I’m sure the Bears will take advantage of this loophole to get a 91st player every offseason that Taylor is punting for them.
With Walker signed, here’s the Chicago 2025 UDFA class.
Offense
Deion Hankins, RB, Texas State
J.P. Richardson, WR, TCU
Jahdae Walker, WR, Texas A&M
Special teams
Jonathan Kim, K, Michigan State
Luke Elkin, LS, Iowa
Defense
Power Echols, LB, North Carolina
Major Burns, S, LSU
Tysheem Johnson, S, Oregon
Xavier Carlton, DE, Cal
Jereme Robinson, DE, Kansas
Jeremiah Walker, CB, Stephen F. Austin