The Chicago Bears have recently made several significant roster changes, highlighting the ongoing adjustments and strategic decisions within the team. But here’s where it gets interesting—these moves could have a profound impact on the team’s performance this season, and they also reveal a lot about the team’s injury management and future plans.
On Tuesday, the Bears announced that they had placed linebacker T.J. Edwards and offensive lineman Ozzy Trapilo on Reserve/Injured, indicating these key players will be unavailable for the foreseeable future. At the same time, they made some positive moves by activating offensive lineman Braxton Jones from Reserve/Injured, having designated him for return, and adding linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin to the active roster. Additionally, the team signed linebacker Nephi Sewell to their practice squad, bringing in fresh depth at the linebacker position.
Let's take a closer look at these players. Braxton Jones, who was drafted by the Bears in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft (168th overall), has become a cornerstone of the offensive line. Since joining the team, Jones has shown resilience and consistency—starting 44 out of 46 games in his college career at Southern Utah (2017-2021) and starting all 17 games as a rookie in 2022. This year, he continued that momentum with four consecutive starts, including a standout performance in Week 3 against Dallas, where the Bears’ offensive line did not allow a single sack—an impressive feat that helped secure the victory. Born in Murray, Utah, Jones’s college career at Southern Utah earned him First-Team AP FCS All-America honors in 2021, emphasizing his talent and potential.
Jalen Reeves-Maybin is in his ninth NFL season (2025), bringing valuable experience to the Bears. He initially joined the team before Week 12, appearing in three games before returning to the practice squad ahead of the NFC Wild Card Round. Over his career, Reeves-Maybin has played in 117 regular-season games, starting 14, and has participated in five postseason contests. His journey includes stints with the Detroit Lions, Houston Texans, and the Bears. Known for his defensive versatility and special teams prowess, Reeves-Maybin amassed 160 tackles (109 solo), nine tackles for loss, five forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries, along with 63 tackles on special teams. His 2023 season earned him Second-Team All-Pro honors and a Pro Bowl nod for his outstanding special teams contributions. Hailing from Clarksville, Tennessee, Reeves-Maybin's collegiate career at Tennessee was stellar, with 240 tackles across 41 games, earning him Second-Team All-SEC honors in 2015.
Meanwhile, Nephi Sewell, who has played 30 games with the New Orleans Saints over four seasons, joins the Bears' practice squad. Sewell has been a solid contributor since entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2022, accumulating 18 tackles, including four for loss, and forcing a fumble on defense, as well as adding eight tackles on special teams. A native of St. George, Utah, Sewell's college journey included two seasons at Nevada and a standout final year at Utah, where he earned First-Team All-Pac-12 honors with 89 tackles, a forced fumble, and an interception. Notably, Sewell is the older brother of Bears linebacker Noah Sewell, which adds an interesting family connection to the team.
This series of roster moves suggests that the Bears are strategically balancing injury recovery and team depth, a common challenge during the grueling NFL season. Whether these moves will translate into improved performance remains to be seen, but they certainly demonstrate a proactive approach by the team’s management.
And here’s the question most opinions will differ on: Are these adjustments enough to push the Bears toward better results, or do they highlight deeper issues needing more aggressive solutions? What’s your take—do you agree with these moves, or do you think the team should pursue different strategies? Feel free to share your thoughts and join the discussion in the comments.
