The Chicago Bears have been wheeling and dealing this NFL offseason ever since free agency opened last month. General manager Ryan Poles has done everything in his power to start the Ben Johnson era on the right foot, which includes signing impact free agents like EDGE Dayo Odeyingbo, center Drew Dalman, and defensive tackle Grady Jarrett.
The arrival of new faces means the Bears were forced to say goodbye to several veterans this spring. Familiar faces like Coleman Shelton, Teven Jenkins, and Jack Sanborn have all left the Windy City for new ventures, while veterans like Keenan Allen, DeMarcus Walker, and Mercedes Lewis are still waiting for their next opportunity.
While some of the Bears' free agents will likely find new homes soon, that won't be the case for a specific veteran pass-catcher.
Bears News: TE Gerald Everett Won't Be Signed Soon
As he waits for his next working opportunity, there's a good chance that Bears free agent tight end Gerald Everett won't be signed anytime soon.
In a vacuum, one would think that Everett's resume is good enough to land a contract offer on its own. The former South Alabama product is an eight-year NFL veteran and former 2017 second-round pick who's racked up 292 receptions for 2,869 receiving yards and 19 touchdowns across 124 games played with the Bears, L.A. Rams, Los Angeles Chargers, and Seattle Seahawks.
Everett's experience is a big reason why the Bears signed him to a two-year contract last offseason. Having a reliable tight end room is crucial for a young quarterback's development, and Chicago thought the Atlanta, GA native — combined with fellow TE Cole Kmet's presence — would help Caleb Williams thrive as a rookie.
Instead of making a positive impact, Everett was largely invisible throughout the 2024 season. The 6-foot-3 TE was only targeted 13 times across 17 games (246 offensive snaps, 22%), hauling in only eight balls for 36 receiving yards without a touchdown. His performance resulted in career-low Pro Football Focus grades in terms of receiving (41.5) and overall offense (42.9).
That abysmal performance was enough for the Bears, who released Everett to save cap space shortly before free agency began.
Everett is turning 31 years old in June, meaning he's at the age where bounce-back performances are less likely. With the 2025 NFL draft being loaded with solid TE prospects, he might have to wait until teams begin filling out training camp rosters for his next opportunity.
Barring any surprise opportunities, Bears fans will likely continue seeing Everett in the unemployment line for another few months.