Carlson (collarbone) was placed on injured reserve Sept. 28 and didn't play a snap for the Bears in 2024. Carlson has played one special-teams snap over four seasons since posting 333 receiving yards in 2020. The 28-year-old tight end is now an unrestricted free agent.
The Bears signed Murray to a reserve/future contract Tuesday, Scott Bair of Marquee Sports Network reports. Murray will head to Chicago ahead of the 2025 campaign after spending time with both the Cardinals' and Giants' practice squads in 2024. The tight end has yet to make his NFL debut after going undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Billings underwent surgery to address a ruptured pectoral, Scott Bair of Marquee Sports Network reports. Billings missed the last nine games of the 2024 season after tearing his pectoral in Week 9 at Arizona, but he now seems to be recovering well ahead of the start of the new league year. He projects as a regular contributor on the interior of Chicago's defensive line in 2025.
General Manager Ryan Poles said Tuesday that Bates (concussion) is feeling back to himself, Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic reports. Bates missed Chicago's last seven games of the campaign because of a concussion he suffered in Week 11 versus the Packers, but it appears he should be ready for team activities come the offseason. He'll compete for a starting job on the interior of the Bears' offensive line in 2025.
Bears general manager Ryan Poles said Tuesday he expects Brisker (concussion) to play for Chicago and contribute during the 2025 campaign, Jason Lieser of the Chicago Sun-Times reports. Poles said Brisker and offensive lineman Ryan Bates (concussion), both of whom ended the 2024 regular season on IR, are "feeling back to themselves," per Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic. A 2022 second-round pick, Brisker missed 12 games in 2024 due to a concussion. The Bears will doubtless prioritize Brisker's health above all other concerns, but it appears the safety is expected to play a role on defense in the 2025 season, in which he'll be playing on the final year of his rookie contract.
Jones underwent surgery to address the shoulder injury he sustained in Week 9 at Arizona, Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic reports. Jones missed Chicago's last nine games of the season due to his shoulder issue, and there's still no concrete timetable for his return. He's in line to become a restricted free agent during the offseason.
Cowart recorded two tackles and 1.0 sacks in the Bears' 24-22 win over the Packers on Sunday. Playing in his fourth season, Cowart set a career high with 2.5 sacks while posting 26 tackles on a 32 percent snap share. The veteran is an unrestricted free agent.
Booker tallied one stop in the Bears' 24-22 win over the Packers on Sunday. After being selected in the fifth round of the 2024 draft, Booker played 24 percent of the snaps for Chicago, leading to 21 tackles and 1.5 sacks. If Darrell Taylor leaves as a free agent, Booker may be able to move up the depth chart as he enters the second year of a four-year contract with the Bears.