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ESPN suggests the Bears sign former Lions Pro Bowler to reunite with Ben Johnson in Chicago but is it worth adding more to an open position

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Kole Noble | Last updated Jun 26, 2025 3:03 PM ET

As the Chicago Bears start looking ahead to the start of training camp, the 91-man roster still remains the same following OTAs and mandatory minicamp, but that doesn't mean things can change.

The staff got a good look at what they have, or still need on the roster, and once pads come on during camp things will start becoming more clear.

The same goes for another teams around the NFL. Which is why we should start to see some remaining free agents come off the open market in the next month or so.

When it comes to the Bears, one free agent name was recently linked to team that could reunite with head coach Ben Johnson and bring some veteran competition to a position the staff will already be watching closely over the next few weeks.

ESPN suggests Bears sign LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin

On Thursday, ESPN suggested the Bears sign former Detroit Lions Pro Bowler Jalen Reeves-Maybin ahead of camp. The more I consider this, the more this doesn't really make sense for the Bears outside of helping push some other players on the roster.

Reeves-Maybin brings a lot of speed and coverage to the table, which is the same style traits the team added in the fourth-round by drafting Ruben Hyppolite II back in April. He also doesn't quite have the size to slide into the open strong side LB position.

"I think he's gonna be a guy that's gonna learn how to be a pro really quickly."

Dennis Allen on Ruben Hyppolite II's maturity. pic.twitter.com/ehNzssACXz
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) May 10, 2025

What Reeves-Maybin does bring to the table is elite special teams ability.

"Not long ago Reeves-Maybin was the best special teams player in the NFL. He was a second-team All-Pro in 2023 and wound up getting a big contract for it. Unfortunately he missed most of the 2024 season with a neck/shoulder injury and the Lions decided to go a younger route with Grant Stuard.

On the defensive side of the ball, Reeves-Maybin is a good hand, but not someone that could be considered a starter. He can rotate in when needed. That’s another reason the Lions went with Stuard, because he can be a bigger part of the defense." - A to Z Sports Detroit's Mike Payton

The value is something special teams coordinator Richard Hightower could be interested in adding to his unit, but signing him still overcrowds the position a bit.

The Bears already have two established starters in Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards playing the weak side and middle linebacker spots. When it comes to having another camp body, Reeves-Maybin brings needed experience to the table saying he's healthy. But, he'd be joining a room with Edmunds, Edwards, Hyppolite, Noah Sewell, Amen Ogbongbemiga, Carl Jones, Swayze Bozeman, and Power Echols.

That's a lot to evaluate in a short period of time. Unless the Bears decide to move on from another LB to free open the spot for Reeves-Maybin, I'd personally just stick with what's currently on the roster.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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