July's final days are here as training camps around the NFL continue. The Chicago Bears opened up their latest offseason phase when rookies started reporting to Halas Hill on Saturday, and it won't be much longer before the veterans enter the mix on Tuesday, highlighting just how close the 2025 NFL regular season is from beginning.
As first-year head coach Ben Johnson's roster is put through the wringer, several notable players are still looking for new NFL contracts, including some former Bears veterans. Well, that list of unsigned ex-Chicago players just lost a name after a former Bears defender just joined another NFC franchise.
Former Bears DE Jonathan Bullard Signs with Saints Amid Training Camp
On Saturday, NFL insider Mike Garafolo reported that the New Orleans Saints have signed former Bears pass rusher Jonathan Bullard to a contract for the 2025 campaign. Garafolo added that the deal has been in the works for about a month and will reunite Bullard with defensive coordinator Brandon Staley, who coached Chicago's outside linebackers in 2017 and 2018.
The #Saints have agreed to terms with DE Jonathan Bullard, per his agent Jon Perzley of @SPORTSTARSNYC. The former #Vikings lineman visited New Orleans last month and now officially reunites with Brandon Staley, a coach with the #Bears when Bullard played for Chicago. pic.twitter.com/c96GUmqFrS
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) July 19, 2025
Bullard, 31, was drafted 72nd overall by the Bears in 2016. The former Florida Gator went on to play 46 games (5 starts) across three seasons in the Windy City, tallying 46 solo tackles, four defended passes, two sacks, and a forced fumble along the way. That's all he accomplished in Chicago before being axed during the final 2019 preseason roster cuts.
Since leaving the Bears, Bullard has spent the last six seasons with the Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Seattle Seahawks, and Minnesota Vikings. Although he experienced frequent injury issues after exiting Chicago, he's been remarkably healthy lately, suiting up in each of the Vikings' games in the last two seasons, recording 45 solo tackles, three sacks, and a trio of broken-up passes.
Chicago fans will have a chance to catch a glimpse of Bullard with his new team soon. The Bears are set to host the Saints for a Week 7 showdown at Soldier Field, leaving time to tell if the former third-rounder can stay healthy enough for the reunion.
In the meantime, Bears fans will continue monitoring Bullard's progress to see if he can snag a significant role with the Saints before training camp is over.