Chicago Bears made unusual commitment to rookie player

Imagn Images

Chicago Bears made unusual commitment to rookie player

Originally posted on ChiCitySports | By Jordan Sigler | Last updated May 8, 2026 1:57 PM ET

On Friday, the Chicago Bears are set to kickoff rookie minicamp.

The Bears’ new draft picks will be at Halas Hall to begin their first practices in the NFL. In addition to the seven players selected in last month’s draft, Chicago will be hosting tryouts for undrafted rookies they signed after the draft.

Most UDFAs sign contracts with no guarantees, as many are cut right after the rookie minicamp. Those that impress the coaching staff get to move on to voluntary and mandatory OTAs, with a select few getting the opportunity to compete in training camp.

On Friday, the Bears revealed they’re making an unusual commitment to offensive lineman Caden Barnett. Chicago is giving the former Wyoming standout $277,500 guaranteed on his contract, per Courtney Cronin of ESPN.

This weekend won’t be a tryout for Barnett. The Bears plan to work him out on the interior portion of the offensive line, though the six-foot-four, 316-pound athlete played guard and tackle at Wyoming.

“He plays the way we want to play it,” Bears head coach Ben Johnson told reporters. “So there’s a physical demeanor about him. That’s what stands out, first and foremost. I think we got a couple really good offensive line coaches.

“When you have a guy that has traits like that that are harder to coach that you can help clean up the technique and things of that nature. When the mind’s right, I have a lot of confidence in our coaching staff to get the rest of it.”

The Chicago Bears take a chance on an OL

Jun 3, 2025; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson speaks during minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

Lance Zierlein of NFL Media projected Barnett to be a sixth-round pick in last month’s draft. He thinks Barnett has the potential to make the 53-man roster to could be a practice squad player.

“Barnett is a three-year starter with NFL-caliber measurables and slightly above-average athletic testing,” Zierlein wrote. “He’s rarely cheated when he lands on contact cleanly, but he needs to improve his balance and footwork when fitting up his blocks. He appears best suited for inside-zone and gap-scheme assignments but has plenty of experience in wide zone.

“Barnett’s grip strength works in his favor in pass protection, but he will struggle to stay mirrored to NFL rushers who attack edge to edge. While he checks some of the boxes needed to compete for a roster spot, Barnett will need to extend his aggression through the whistle as a block finisher at the next level.”

The Bears traded for Jonah Jackson and Joe Thuney to play interior offensive lineman last season.

The two guards played excellently last season, but Chicago needed to add depth on the interior as those two veterans age and as injuries will accrue during the season.

This article first appeared on ChiCitySports and was syndicated with permission.

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