The Chicago Bears started NFL free agency at a blistering pace, signing Grady Jarrett, Drew Dalman, and Dayo Odeyingbo, who should all boost the offensive and defensive lines.
Since then, the Bears have made smaller signings at wide receiver (Olamide Zaccheaus and Devin Duvernay) and re-signed multiple players from last year’s roster. Despite these moves, the Bears are still looking to make additions to their roster ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft.
On Monday, Chicago bolstered its secondary, signing veteran cornerback Nick McCloud, per Forever Athlete Management.
Congratulations to our client, @NickMcCloud4_ , on signing with the @ChicagoBears #beardown pic.twitter.com/YVGFVviEFe
— ForeverAthleteManagement (@FAMAgency) March 24, 2025
The terms of the deal have not been released, but the Bears are getting a solid defensive back to add to their secondary. The 26-year-old McCloud spent the 2024 season with the New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers.
McCloud began last season with the Giants but was waived on November 5. Dan Duggan of The Athletic reported that New York sought to cut the veteran cornerback’s pay in half from earlier in the 2024 campaign.
The Giants are releasing CB Nick McCloud, as @JordanRaanan reported. This has been in the works for weeks as the team has been squeezing McCloud for a pay cut, according to a source.
— Dan Duggan (@DDuggan21) November 5, 2024
The Giants gave McCloud the lowest restricted free agent tender this offseason, which carried a…
After getting waived by the Giants, McCloud was signed to the 49ers’ practice squad. McCloud appeared in eight games with San Francisco, spending most of his time on special teams (46% of snaps). Between both teams, McCloud had 25 combined tackles, a pass deflection, and a tackle for loss in 15 games.
The 6-foot-1 cornerback has spent four years in the league, with his best season being 2022 with the Giants. During that season, McCloud had 43 combined tackles, seven pass deflections, two tackles for loss, two quarterback hits, and 1.5 sacks in 14 games (eight starts). He followed that up with three forced fumbles during the 2023 campaign as well, showing a knack for forcing turnovers.
McCloud likely won’t start in Chicago as the Bears have their starting cornerbacks in Jaylon Johnson, Tyrique Stevenson, and Kyler Gordon. Nonetheless, having a player like McCloud, who boasts starting experience and can play special teams while possibly forcing turnovers, is a great luxury going into a new season.