With the 2025 NFL Draft coming up and NFL free agency in its later stages, several free agents could wait some time to sign with a new team. During this time of the year, teams are working on pre-draft visits and setting up their draft boards to add new, young talent to their rosters.
This leaves veterans such as former Chicago Bears safety Adrian Colbert in an interesting spot as they await to see where they will play football in 2025. The veteran defensive back has spent the last two-plus seasons with the Bears.
With the NFL Draft 9 days out, here is an updated list of available free agents: pic.twitter.com/eRnEfdsy4E
— Mike Clay (@MikeClayNFL) April 15, 2025
Colbert initially joined the Bears late in the 2022 season. The vet was signed to their practice squad after getting cut by the Tennessee Titans in August of that year.
The veteran defender played two games and was signed to a reserve/future deal at the end of the 2022 season, allowing him to make the team out of training camp. Colbert didn’t make the team out of preseason as he was placed on injured reserve and subsequently cut.
However, the 31-year-old safety returned to the club, signing to the Bears’ practice squad in November 2023. Colbert didn’t appear in any games during the 2023 season, but was signed to a reserve/future deal again.
Then, last year, in an attempt to make the team again, the veteran was cut ahead of the 53-man roster deadline. But the Bears’ front office and coaching staff kept tabs on Colbert, signing him to the practice squad on Nov. 20 last year.
This time, the veteran safety was elevated three times to the active roster from the taxi squad and ultimately signed to the active roster for the rest of the season a month later. Colbert played in five games, all on special teams.
Given that he’s a journeyman defensive back, playing for six teams in seven seasons, Colbert might have to wait for his next opportunity to appear. It also doesn’t help his cause that several free-agent safeties are still waiting to see who is better or younger than Colbert.
Nonetheless, it wouldn’t be surprising if Colbert signs with a team before training camp, looking for extra safety depth, or if there’s an injury.
He’s not a starting-caliber safety at this point in his career, but he can step in on defense and give valuable special teams snaps. For a seventh-round pick in 2017, Colbert has done an incredible job finding ways to contribute with multiple teams.