Bears make several roster moves |
The Chicago Bears on Monday made the following transactions:
Signed the following Restricted Free Agent: DL Chris Williams Signed the following Exclusive Rights Free Agents: DL Jonathan Ford DL Daniel Hardy OL Bill Murray DB Ameer Speed Williams returns to the Bears, having initially joined Chicago via trade in advance of the start of the 2024 season. Williams has appeared in 30 career appearances (one start) with the Indianapolis Colts (2021-22) and with Chicago last season, in addition to time spent with the Kansas City Chiefs (2023) and Cleveland Browns (2023-24). Last season, Williams appeared in all 17 games for the Bears, a single-season career-high, totaling 23 tackles (17 solo), including three sacks, and seven quarterback hits. Williams, who entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2020, appeared in 42 games for Wagner University (2016-19), totaling 105 tackles (41 solo), six sacks, 21.5 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and three blocked kicks. Ford returns to Chicago after joining the Bears in 2024, appearing in each of the last four games. Originally a seventh-round selection by the Green Bay Packers, Ford spent each of his first two professional seasons with the club, as well as the offseason, training camp and a majority of the regular season in 2024 with Green Bay, before signing to Chicago's practice squad. Over his four games played, Ford totaled nine tackles (three solo), including one tackle for loss. Ford prepped collegiately at the University of Miami (Fla.), appearing in 50 games over five seasons of action with the Hurricanes (2017-21), registering 60 tackles (21 solo), including three sacks and eight tackles for loss, as well as a pass defended and a forced fumble. Hardy rejoins the Bears after contributing to all 17 games for Chicago last season. Over his career, Hardy has appeared in 23 career regular-season games with the Los Angeles Rams (2022-23) and Bears (2024). A primary contributor on special teams, Hardy added a blocked punt in 2024, which was returned for a touchdown, helping propel the Bears to a season-opening victory. Prior to entering the league as a seventh-round selection (235th overall) by the Rams in 2022, Hardy was a First-Team All-Big Sky Conference selection following his final season at Montana State University (2018-21), totaling 100 tackles (61 solo), 18 sacks, 30 tackles for loss, four passes defended and a pair of forced fumbles over his collegiate career. Murray returns to Chicago, where he spent the 2024 season. Appearing in three games for Chicago last season, Murray spent the remainder of the year on Reserve/Injured. Entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the New England Patriots in 2020, Murray began his career on the defensive front before transitioning to the offensive line, where he appeared in one game for the Patriots in 2022. Murray prepped collegiately at the College of William & Mary (2015-19), where he earned all-conference recognition twice, as well as FCS All-America honors following his final season. Speed rejoins the Bears, appearing in two games for Chicago in 2024 after joining the club's practice squad in advance of Week 4. Over his career, Speed has appeared in 15 career games for the New England Patriots (2023), Indianapolis Colts (2023-24) and Bears (2024), securing six special teams tackles. Defensively, Speed has secured three solo stops, including one tackle for loss. Over his collegiate tenure at the University of Georgia (2017-21) and Michigan State University (2022), Speed totaled 60 career games played, recording 87 tackles (52 solo) and five passes defensed.
