Chicago Bears Have Ex-Packers Defender on Their Radar

The Chicago Bears brought in former Packers cornerback Robert Rochell for a tryout this week as they look for secondary depth after standing pat at the trade deadline.

Chicago hosted Rochell on Tuesday during its bye week, according to the NFL transaction wire. The 28-year-old was part of a seven-player group that also included defensive back Darren Hall, linebacker John Bullock, nose tackle Jordan Elliott, offensive tackles Ryan Hayes and Brandon Parker, and center Michael Niese.

Rochell, a 2021 fourth-round pick by the Los Angeles Rams out of Central Arkansas, spent two seasons with Green Bay in 2023 and 2024. He appeared in 20 games for the Packers, logging nearly all of his 234 snaps on special teams. He recorded six tackles and one fumble recovery in that span.

He also played three games for the Carolina Panthers earlier this season before being released from their practice squad. Rochell has not started a game since his rookie year with the Rams.

The Bears entered the bye at 7-2 after a 27-24 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday night. That victory improved their record to their best nine-game start since 2012.

General manager Ryan Poles made a major move earlier in the week by trading two first-round picks for defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons from the Tennessee Titans. Simmons has already contributed in two games.

Despite that addition, the secondary remained a point of interest. ESPN’s Dan Graziano reported last week that the Bears were “still poking around on potentially available cornerbacks.” NFL insider Josina Anderson noted that former Bears cornerback Nahshon Wright, now with the Jets, had expressed interest in returning to Chicago.

No cornerback trade materialized before Tuesday’s 4 p.m. deadline. The Bears instead used the bye to evaluate free-agent options and update their list of available players.

Injuries have thinned the cornerback room. Rookie Malik Muhammad, a fourth-round pick who has been one of Chicago’s more effective cover corners, missed his second straight game against the Buccaneers with a toe injury. He was a limited participant in practice leading up to the game, offering some optimism for a return after the bye.

Tyrique Stevenson and Kyler Gordon both exited the Buccaneers game with new issues. Stevenson, who entered the contest dealing with a thumb injury, left twice with a hand problem and stayed on the sideline the second time. Gordon appeared to injure his left arm and was evaluated on the field before walking off.

Stevenson has 34 tackles in eight games this season with no interceptions. Muhammad has 21 tackles, five pass breakups and one interception through his first seven games before the recent absence.

The Bears hope the bye week helps clear up the health of the position group. If issues linger into Week 11, Rochell or Hall could become options for the practice squad or active roster. There is currently one open spot on the 53-man roster.

Hall, also a 2021 fourth-round pick, has bounced around the league as a reserve defensive back. Elliott, a former Titans teammate of Simmons, was released last month after an incident at the team facility.

Coach Ben Johnson’s staff has prioritized defensive improvements this season, and the secondary has been the clearest remaining soft spot even as the team sits near the top of the NFC. Adding a veteran special-teams contributor like Rochell would be a low-cost way to build depth without further draft capital.

The Bears return to action after the bye against a schedule that includes remaining NFC North games. How the secondary holds up could help determine whether the 7-2 start carries into the playoffs.