While the NFL is enjoying its offseason, football is alive and well this spring with the United Football League (UFL), a merger of the USFL and XFL, that recently kicked off its inaugural season.
During the first week of action, the Birmingham Stallions defeated the Arlington Renegades and the Michigan Panthers beat the St. Louis Battlehawks on Saturday. Meanwhile, the San Antonio Brahmas defeated the DC Defenders and the Memphis Showboats beat the Houston Roughnecks on Sunday.
The Chicago Bears had several familiar faces among those eight rosters, which includes some notable former draft picks and undrafted free agents that fans might recognize.
Here’s a list of former Bears on UFL rosters:
1
K Chris Blewitt (Birmingham Stallions)
Oct 8, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers place kicker Chris Blewitt (12) kicks a game winning thirty-one yard field goal from the hold of Pittsburgh Panthers punter Ryan Winslow (18) against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. Pittsburgh won 37-34. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Bears tenure: 2019 (offseason only)
2
DE Taco Charlton (Birmingham Stallions)
Daniel Bartel-USA TODAY Sports
Bears tenure: 2022
3
DT Rashaad Coward (San Antonio Brahmas)
Oct 26, 2020; Inglewood, California, USA; Chicago Bears center Cody Whitehair (65), offensive tackle Rashaad Coward (69) and offensive tackle Charles Leno Jr. (72) during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Bears tenure: 2017-20
4
LB Noah Dawkins (Michigan Panthers)
Oct 24, 2021; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry (85) rushes against New York Jets outside linebacker Noah Dawkins (46) during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
Bears tenure: 2022 (offseason only)
5
LB DeMarquis Gates (Birmingham Stallions)
AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski
Bears tenure: 2022-23
6
LB Joel Iyiegbuniwe (San Antonio Brahmas)
Aug 28, 2021; Nashville, TN, USA; Chicago Bears linebacker Joel Iyiegbuniwe (45) calls out the play against the Tennessee Titans during the first half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports
Bears tenure: 2018-21
7
CB Michael Joseph (DC Defenders)
Jul 29, 2021; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears defensive back Michael Joseph (30) walks on the field during a Chicago Bears training camp session at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports
Bears tenure: 2018-22
8
OG Jordan McCray (Memphis Showboats)
Feb 22, 2020; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Vipers center Jordan McCray (63) blocks during the second half of an XFL game between the Houston Roughnecks and the Tampa Bay Vipers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mary Holt-USA TODAY Sports
Bears tenure: 2019 (offseason only)
9
DE Bunmi Rotimi (Arlington Renegades)
May 23, 2018; Lake Forest, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears defensive end Bunmi Rotimi (74) stretches during organized team activities at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Bears tenure: 2018 (offseason only)
10
CB Teez Tabor (San Antonio Brahmas)
Nov 8, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Chicago Bears defensive back Teez Tabor (37) on the sidelines during the fourth quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports
Bears tenure: 2020-21
11
DB A.J. Thomas (Birmingham Stallions)
Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports
Bears tenure: 2022-23
12
DB Javin White (Michigan Panthers)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 14: Linebacker Javin White #53 of the Las Vegas Raiders tackles tight end Dom Wood-Anderson #49 of the Seattle Seahawks during a preseason game at Allegiant Stadium on August 14, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Raiders defeated the Seahawks 20-7. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Bears tenure: 2022 (offseason only)
