Chicago Bears Quietly Plucked More Defensive Help From The UFL

While the UFL can’t be called a hotbed of future high-end talent, history shows that spring leagues still help uncover hidden gems. The Chicago Bears signed linebacker DeMarquis Gates in 2022. He became a solid backup on defense and a reliable special teams presence. It appears the Bears are climbing that vine again. According to multiple reports, they have signed Michigan Panthers linebacker Javin White to a new contract. He joins the team a couple of days into the start of training camp.

White is a fascinating name. He spent his college career at UNLV, where he started as a defensive back before transitioning to linebacker as a senior. So, he was already behind the curve at the position when he shifted to the NFL. He went undrafted and signed with the Las Vegas Raiders. After bouncing on and off their main roster for two years, White spent a season with the New York Jets in 2021 and then attended Bears camp in 2022. After failing to latch onto a team early in 2023, he signed with the UFL in October.

With his help, the team made it to the league’s conference championship, where he recorded an interception.

Another @USFLPanthers signing with an NFL squad.

LB/DB Javin White picked up right where Ginda left off when Frank went on IR. He especially made life miserable for MVP Martinez the last 2 games of the season.

Congrats, Javin!#UFL #UFLtoNFL #LetsHunt #BEaREBEL pic.twitter.com/tFDI3qU6pe

— Panthers Shadow (@UFLShadow) July 21, 2024

A great look at what made Javin White’s processing of Robot technique look so impressive. Read your run key, get your eyes on the crosser, turn your back, break on the route. #RaiderNation https://t.co/TKHr9tDFdl pic.twitter.com/AwMZKYywSN

— Chris Reed (@ChrisReed_NFL) September 10, 2021

The Chicago Bears do have questions of depth at linebacker.

Their starters are locked in place with Tremaine Edmunds, T.J. Edwards, and Jack Sanborn. After that, it gets a bit murky. Noah Sewell figures to make the roster after going in the 5th round last year. From there you have guys like Micah Baskerville and Amen Ogbongbemiga as possibilities. Neither should be considered insurmountable obstacles for somebody like White. He’s not the biggest guy, but he’s a good athlete who has a natural affinity for coverage, thanks to his background as a defensive back.

He also has some special teams experience from his first two years in Las Vegas. That should at least give him something to build off of as training camp unfolds. The Chicago Bears have made it clear the entire roster is one big competition. If you want a place, you’ll have to earn it. Tyson Bagent proved it was possible last year. There is no reason to think White can’t find a path onto the final 53. His defining moment will be the preseason, where the Bears play four games. He’s sure to see plenty of opportunities.