The Bears brought back a pair of players on futures contracts who could figure into their future at need positions.
Center Doug Kramer and defensive end Khalid Kareem were with the practice squad much of the 2023 season and signed Tuesday to return on the 90-man roster.
Kramer, the former Illinois center, had a strange season in that he was waived put back on the practice squad, signed off of the Bears practice squad Nov. 6 to Arizona's 53-man roster, then waived by the Cardinals nine days later. He returned to the Bears practice squad and eventually got into his second Bears game of the season at Green Bay in the finale. Kramer spent all of 2022 on injured reserve after being drafted in the sixth round in 2022.
With center sure to be an area the Bears try to improve, it's likely Kramer will get a chance to show he can take the position. However, they'll likely look for free agency and draft help at this critical position as veteran Lucas Patrick is an undrafted free agent.
Kareem, the 6-4, 268-pound end, was in only the Bears loss at New Orleans. He's been in 28 NFL games, after playing in 23 for the Bengals in 2020-21 and four with the Colts in 2022.
He was claimed off waivers Aug. 30 from the Colts and was on injured reserve for almost two months and finished on the practice squad.
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