The Chicago Bears are officially filling out their 2026 practice squad, and it’s already a fluid situation with plenty of strategic moves. They just added tight end Qadir Ismail on September 2, a move that brings the publicly reported initial wave of signed players to 11. But don’t expect this list to stay still for long; the team is expected to sign more players soon.
Who’s On Board and The Initial Squad Takes Shape
The Bears are clearly looking to bolster their depth across multiple positions. Along with Ismail, the team also brought in running back Zavier Scott, linebacker Buddy Johnson, and offensive lineman Christian Jones on September 1. Those are some key additions right out of the gate. Looking at the full initial list that’s emerged, we’ve got offensive linemen Caden Barnett, Kyle Hergel, and Salvon Ahmed also on the practice squad. The running back room gets Scotty Miller joining Scott, while the receiver corps sees Kaden Davis, J.P. Richardson, and Stephen Carlson getting spots. Wayne Matthews III joins Ismail at tight end. On defense, they’ve signed linebacker Marlen Sewell, safety Deantre Prince, and cornerback Marcus Davenport. It’s a mix of guys looking for their shot, and every one of them is fighting for a chance to make an impact.
Decoding the Practice Squad Playbook
Understanding the practice squad isn’t just about who’s there; it’s about the rules that govern the whole thing. It’s like a high-stakes chess match for roster flexibility. For starters, the NFL allows a 17th player if they qualify for the International Pathway Program. Otherwise, we’re talking about a standard 16. Rookies with no accrued seasons, or guys who played fewer than nine regular-season games in their single accrued season, are eligible, which makes up a big chunk of the squad. The team can also have up to ten players who’ve earned no more than two accrued seasons. But here’s where it gets interesting: they can stash up to six players with unlimited accrued seasons. That means some seasoned vets, who might not have made the 53-man roster, can still be available. However, the catch is the combined total of players in those last two categories (two accrued seasons or less, and unlimited accrued seasons) can’t exceed ten. It forces teams to be super strategic about how they build that depth chart!
The High-Stakes Game of Elevations and Poaching
These aren’t just warm bodies; practice squad players are crucial for game-day flexibility. Teams can elevate up to two practice squad players for each game, giving them a temporary boost, though they can still only have 48 players active on game day. After the game, those elevated players revert to the practice squad, and this can happen up to three times. If a team needs a player elevated more than three times, they’d be forced to sign him to the active 53-man roster. This is where the real value comes in: having an immediate fill-in for injuries or specific game plans.
But the biggest drama? Practice squad players are free agents. They can be signed to another team’s active roster at any time. Your team can’t block them, they can only make a counteroffer. Ultimately, it’s the player’s call. If a guy gets signed away, his new team has to keep him on their 53-man roster for three weeks, and he’s guaranteed three weeks’ salary. If they release him before those three weeks, he reverts to his original team. It’s a constant battle to keep your talent while developing it. The only real restriction is that a player can’t sign with his current team’s upcoming opponent unless he does it six days before the game, or ten days prior if his team is on a bye week. With the practice squad now taking shape, Chicago is playing a crucial game of chess, securing depth, developing talent, and having options ready. Keep an eye on these names; one of them just might be the guy making a game-changing play on Sundays down the line for the Bears.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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