With OTAs having opened across the league, Chicago Bears fans are seeing familiar names pop up on the transaction wire as former members of the roster have been latching on with other teams throughout the NFL.
For decades, Chicago has been known for its defense, as some of those units have been among the best the NFL has ever seen. With that reputation, seeing players from that side of the ball receive opportunities elsewhere has become rather common, and it happened again on Wednesday.
One former Bears defender who had a relatively short stint in the Windy City has reportedly come to terms on an agreement on a contract with another one of the league's most storied franchises, albeit one in the AFC.
Former Bears Safety Quindell Johnson Lands With Steelers to Begin June
Now, Quindell Johnson will look to make the most of his opportunity with the Pittsburgh Steelers as he attempts to prolong his NFL career.
Johnson only spent one season in the Windy City, but he made the most of his opportunity when his number was finally called. During the 2023 campaign, the former Memphis Tigers standout appeared in nine games for the Bears and had his best performance against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 3 as he picked off Blaine Gabbert for his lone career interception after he'd come in to replace All-Pro Patrick Mahomes.
Johnson's time in Chicago came to an end following the 2023 season. He went on to join the practice squad for the Los Angeles Rams for the 2024 campaign before being released in January 2025. Shortly thereafter, Johnson inked a futures contract with the San Francisco 49ers but was waived by the franchise in mid-May.
Should Johnson make the Steelers' final roster, Bears fans will have the opportunity to see him go against Chicago as Pittsburgh is set to host Caleb Williams and the rest of the new-look Bears on Nov. 23.