The Chicago Bears officially kicked off their rookie minicamp on Friday with a flurry of roster activity, signing four of their seven selections from the 2026 NFL Draft along with 13 undrafted free agents. The moves, announced Thursday morning, bring the team's 90-man roster to near capacity and give head coach Ben Johnson and general manager Ryan Poles a full crop of new talent to evaluate at Halas Hall.
The signing class includes wide receiver Zavion Thomas (sixth round), defensive back Malik Muhammad (sixth round), linebacker Keyshaun Elliott (seventh round), and defensive lineman Jordan van den Berg (seventh round). The team also locked in 13 undrafted free agents who will compete for roster spots throughout training camp and the preseason.
With rookie minicamp now underway, the Bears are wasting no time integrating the new faces into the program. Here's a closer look at each of the signed draft picks and what they bring to a roster that is building toward contention in the NFC North.
Zavion Thomas: Slot Option With Return Ability
The Bears used their sixth-round pick on LSU wide receiver Zavion Thomas, a versatile playmaker who projects as an inside receiver and return specialist at the next level. Thomas caught 42 passes for 508 yards and four touchdowns last season for the Tigers, but his real value comes after the catch. He's a sharp route runner with the quickness to create separation underneath and has shown reliable hands in contested situations.
What makes Thomas especially intriguing is his punt return experience. The Bears have had a rotating door at returner in recent years, and Thomas could quickly carve out a role as a return specialist while developing as a depth receiver. With a crowded wide receiver room that includes Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III, Kalif Raymond, and others, Thomas will need to stand out on special teams to secure a roster spot. His signing gives him that opportunity starting day one.
Malik Muhammad: Ball-Hawking Cornerback
Texas cornerback Malik Muhammad was the Bears' other sixth-round selection, and he arrives with a reputation as a sticky coverage defender who plays with an edge. Muhammad recorded two interceptions and eight pass breakups in his final season with the Longhorns, showing the type of ball production that catches the eye of NFL defensive coordinators.
At 5-foot-11 and 185 pounds, Muhammad has the length and agility to play both outside and in the slot, giving the Bears' defensive backs coach flexibility in how to deploy him. Chicago's secondary is headlined by Jaylon Johnson and Tyrique Stevenson, but depth behind them is always a priority. Muhammad joins a corner room that also includes Kyler Gordon, Terell Smith, and Dallis Flowers, among others. He'll need to show he can handle special teams duties early if he wants to stick, but his coverage instincts give him a legitimate shot.
Keyshaun Elliott: Linebacker Depth and Special Teams Ace
Seventh-round pick Keyshaun Elliott out of North Carolina is a linebacker who plays faster than his timed speed suggests. Elliott was a productive defender for the Tar Heels, racking up 76 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, and two sacks last season. He also displayed the ability to drop into coverage, making him a candidate for sub-packages.
More importantly, Elliott projects as a core special teams player. The Bears have invested heavily in their linebacker room with T.J. Edwards, Jack Sanborn, Devin Bush, and Nephi Sewell, among others. For Elliott to make the 53-man roster, he'll need to prove he can be an impact player on coverage units. His signing signals that the Bears see that potential. Special teams coordinator Richard Hightower will have plenty to work with as he evaluates Elliott's fit.
Jordan van den Berg: Nose Tackle Depth
Penn State defensive lineman Jordan van den Berg rounds out the draft signings as a seventh-round selection. Van den Berg is a true nose tackle who checks in at 6-foot-3 and 315 pounds, and he was a key run-stuffer for the Nittany Lions. He finished his final season with 29 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and a sack, but his impact went beyond the stat sheet -- he consistently demanded double teams and freed up linebackers to make plays.
The Bears' defensive line is already deep with Gervon Dexter Sr., Neville Gallimore, Kentavius Street, and Shemar Turner. Van den Berg enters a crowded room, but his specific skill set as a two-down run stopper gives him a path. If he can show discipline at the point of attack and hold his ground against NFL guards and centers, he could earn a rotational role or a practice squad spot.
The Undrafted Free Agent Class
Beyond the four draft picks, the Bears signed 13 undrafted free agents to round out their rookie minicamp roster. While the team did not release the full list of UDFA names in the official announcement, the sheer volume of additions underscores the front office's strategy of maximizing competition at every position.
Undrafted free agents have historically found success in Chicago. The Bears have been one of the more aggressive teams in the league when it comes to giving UDFAs a legitimate chance to make the roster, and several current players on the 90-man roster entered the league that way. With 13 new bodies entering the mix, expect battles at positions like offensive line, defensive back, and wide receiver to intensify.
Rookie Minicamp Begins
Rookie minicamp, which began Friday at Halas Hall, is the first opportunity for these new players to get on the field in a Bears uniform. It's a three-day event focused on installation, technique work, and evaluation. For the draft picks and UDFAs alike, this is their chance to make a first impression on Johnson, offensive coordinator Press Taylor, defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, and the rest of the coaching staff.
The minicamp also provides a unique opportunity for the three unsigned draft picks -- presumably the Bears' earlier selections -- to get their own deals finalized. Typically, first- and second-round picks take a bit longer to sign due to the structure of rookie contracts, but the expectation is all seven draft picks will be under contract well before training camp begins.
For now, the focus is on what's in front of them. Johnson has brought an aggressive, detail-oriented culture to the Bears, and rookies are expected to pick up the playbook quickly and compete immediately.
Roster Outlook
With these signings, the Bears now have a full 90-man roster as they enter the heart of the offseason program. The team has done significant work in both free agency and the draft to address needs at wide receiver, cornerback, defensive line, and along the offensive line. Veterans like Grady Jarrett, Dayo Odeyingbo, and Jedrick Wills Jr. were brought in to provide veteran presence, while the rookies represent the future.
Caleb Williams enters his third season as the franchise quarterback, and the Bears have surrounded him with weapons -- Burden, Odunze, and tight end Colston Loveland among them -- that should allow the offense to take the next step. The defense, led by Montez Sweat and Jaylon Johnson, returns much of its core and adds athleticism through the draft.
The signing of these four draft picks and the UDFA class is another piece of the puzzle. It won't make headlines on its own, but in August, when a sixth-round returner or a seventh-round linebacker is making a tackle on special teams in a preseason game, the value of these moves will be clear.
What's Next
Rookie minicamp runs through the weekend, after which the Bears will shift to Phase Two of the offseason program, which includes on-field drills without live contact. The team's full-squad minicamp is scheduled for later this spring, giving veterans and rookies the chance to work together for the first time.
The Bears will also continue to monitor the waiver wire and free agent market for potential additions, but for now, Poles and Johnson have the roster they want to build around. The foundation is set. The competition starts now.
For the four draft picks and 13 undrafted free agents who signed this week, the dream is alive. For the Bears, the work toward September is just beginning.