Not one but two former Chicago Bears are headed to the land of the Cheeseheads.
The Green Bay Packers announced on August 25 that they have signed ex-Bears defensive lineman Abdullah Anderson and former cornerback Stephen Denmark, via the team’s official website.
Denmark, who Chicago took in the seventh round in 2019 (238th overall), played wide receiver for three seasons at Valdosta State, a Division II school, before converting to corner his senior season. Anderson played his college ball at Bucknell, and caught on with the Bears as an undrafted free agent in 2018.
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Denmark’s Physical Gifts Made Him an Intriguing Prospect
The 6-foot-3, 220-pound Denmark made the Bears’ practice squad as a rookie, and again in 2020, but the team released him in October of last year. He had brief stints with the Cleveland Browns and the Pittsburgh Steelers before landing in Green Bay.
The Bears felt Denmark, who ran a 4.46-second 40-yard dash and had a vertical of 43.5 inches at his pro day, was a solid developmental prospect, but it didn’t work out. “He’s got traits,”coach Matt Nagy said about Denmark back in 2019, per The Chicago Tribune. “He’s a big guy who can do a lot of things.”
“Stephen Denmark has ridiculous measurables,” Bears general manager Ryan Pace said after drafting him, per the Bears’ official website. “[He’s] a guy we feel has tremendous upside ahead of him and a guy that our defensive coaches, our special-teams coaches and our scouts were equally excited about, just working with that upside and the talent that he has.”
Denmark had 55 tackles (eight for loss), three interceptions, 9 pass break-ups and a forced fumble in the lone year he played corner at Valdosta State. He has yet to see action during the regular season.
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Abdullah Anderson: A Refresher
Anderson spent the 2018 season on the Bears’ practice squad, and after impressing the coaching staff, he made the 53-man roster the following year. The 25-year-old defensive tackle played in six games for Chicago in 2019. He finished the year with four total tackles (three solo, one for loss), a sack and a quarterback hit.
The Bears placed him on the practice squad again in 2020, but released him after just a week. He spent time with the Minnesota Vikings for a bit last season, landing on the practice squad before being elevated for one game, Week 9 against the Detroit Lions. He signed with the Steelers earlier this year, but was waived on August 17.
“I’m just trying my best to take advantage of my opportunities when I get them,” Anderson said back in 2019, via The Press of Atlantic City. “But no matter how often I play, I always give 110%. You just tell me what to do, and I’ll do it.”
Now, both former Bears will get second chances with Matt LaFleur and company up in Green Bay.
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Ex-Bears WR-Turned-Corner Signs With Packers