Bears sign former Packers receiver Samori Toure |
Every season, teams undergo the strenuous process of taking a 90-player training camp roster and turning it into a 53-man regular-season roster. During this process, there are those guaranteed roster spots, and those earned those spots based on their overall performance.
Despite that, surprise moves always shock team fans and the NFL, as many people wonder why a specific player was let go. That is what the Chicago Bears are trying to figure out right now. They made an under-the-radar move that could prove beneficial, with former Green Bay Packer WR Samori Toure agreeing to a practice squad opportunity with the Bears. Toure was the victim of a roster crunch in Green Bay, as they have one of the youngest offenses in the NFL and one of the deepest WR rooms. With guys like Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, Malik Heath, and others, Toure was seen as the least likely candidate to make the roster, sparking his release from the team. Given some of what he showed in his time on the field last season, many feel he has the skill set to land on a roster, so the Bears didn't waste much time scooping him up and bringing him in to see what he can do. Already with a deep WR room themselves with DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, Tyler Scott, Keenan Allen, and Velus Jones Jr, Toure would have a hard time making this roster, but he will be given a shot to prove his worth on the practice squad throughout the season. A seventh-round in 2022 out of the University of Nebraska, Toure has had a tough time seeing action on the field despite some very good measurables. Toure isn't a massive WR at 6-1 and 191 pounds, but he possesses some outstanding physical attributes and has good enough hands to be a reliable No. 4 option on any team. Toure has played in 22 games over the past two seasons and has hauled in 13 catches for 160 yards and one score. That included eight catches for 78 yards last season, as Toure often found himself as the No. 6 option on the Packers' offense. Looking back at his tenure with the University of Nebraska, the 2021 season stands out and is a big reason why plenty of teams considered him a day-three option. During the 2021 season, Toure played in all 12 games for the Cornhuskers, picking up 46 receptions for 898 yards and five scores. Had he been able to play up to that level with the Packers, he would have been one of their go-to options, but that never panned out, which is why he found himself cut before signing with the Bears. With six WRs on their current roster, the only way Toure would see the field would be due to an injury or a potential waive of a player. DeAndre Carter would be the one to watch, as he doesn't offer much in the passing game but is known as a return specialist. The same can be said about Jones Jr., but with him taking some reps at RB this summer, he will may see more time there, which, in return, opens up another WR spot. Toure could find himself there if he puts on a good showing in Bears camp the next few weeks. While most fans don't think twice about the Practice Squad, it is a very valuable part of the roster and allows teams to keep an extra 16 guys under contract. Those 16 guys will then practice with the team every day and have an opportunity to earn a promotion on the 53-man roster. Toure will use this opportunity to prove to the Bears that the Packers made a mistake in letting him go. He is young, talented, and has the skillset you seek from a depth option at WR. With the Bears expecting to add one more WR to the practice squad before the deadline, Collin Johnson is a name to watch. Johnson was on the Bears' roster for their first preseason game and picked up two TD receptions. Unlike Toure, Johnson has been around for a bit longer as he was a fifth-round selection by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2020. Johnson has caught just 30 passes for 388 yards and two touchdowns in 29 career games, but his 6-foot-6, 222-pound frame makes him a big-bodied target for rookie quarterback Caleb Williams. Even with Toure in the mix, Johnson would likely be the Bears’ first choice for a promotion if they ran into availability issues with their receiving corps. Regardless, the Bears are building up one of the deepest rosters in the NFL, which is trickling down to the Practice Squad. On a side note, the Bears also saw Brett Rypien leave the Bears organization as he inked a deal with the Minnesota Vikings to replace Jaren Hall. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bAFEWki2jU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmS6Mk9DPHw https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYmGUFU9Fmo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DF0hHJIgDBI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3Cgiw6Rjac
