The Chicago Bears have been busy making roster moves over the last week or so. The team has added a pair of notable veterans in the form of Yannick Ngakoue and Marcedes Lewis. In addition, the team continues to shuffle their depth around in search of the perfect 53-man squad.
On Tuesday, the Bears added some depth at linebacker and tight end. According to the team's PR, the Bears have signed TE Lachlan Pitts and LB Barrington Wade while waiving K Andre Szmyt and TE Jake Tonges.
Tonges is a familiar name, as he spent the 2022 season as the third tight end on the roster. However, with adding Robert Tonyan this offseason, extending Cole Kmet, and now adding Lewis, the room is getting pretty full. Tonges was waived with the injured exception, so he's a player to keep an eye on as a practice squad name over the next month.
As for Pitts and Wade, the pair come in with varying experiences. Pitts is a rookie out of William & Mary, and Wade has experienced a cup of coffee in the NFL, but has not been able to stick anywhere so far.
Pitts played in 13 games in 2022, recording only 28 catches for 543 yards and five touchdowns. However, as a 6-foot-6 body, Pitts presents upside as a tight end in the NFL.
As for Wade, he signed with the Baltimore Ravens in 2021 and Denver Broncos in 2022. The Skokie, IL native did not catch on more than as a practice squad player. In 2023, Wade joined the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the CFL, but only lasted there for a few months.
Both players join the team as depth and will have a shot at making the roster. Whether they make the 53-man roster or not remains to be seen.
What's On Tap Next?
The Bears continue training camp practices. However, the team is finally preparing for game action. The Bears will host the Tennessee Titans at Solider Field on Saturday, August 12 at 12:00 p.m. CDT for their first preseason contest of 2023.
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