After a good couple of weeks of OTAs and mandatory minicamp, the Chicago Bears are getting ready for what should be an exciting training camp next month at Halas Hall.
The Bears are scheduled to open camp on July 19 when rookies report. Then, a few days later, the vets will show up on July 22. Training camp is a prime opportunity for unsung or underrated players to make a name for themselves in hopes of signing to the practice squad or maybe the 53-man roster.
While current Bears players prepare for their trek to Halas Hall, several former Bears are still waiting to be signed or brought in for a workout before training camp begins. One of the more notable ex-Bears still unsigned is veteran wide receiver Keenan Allen, who didn’t have a great 2024 season in the Windy City.
EX-Bears QB Nathan Peterman Among Vet Free Agents Still Waiting to Be Signed
However, it's only a matter of time before a WR-needy team gives the standout wide receiver a call. On the other hand, former Bears quarterback Nathan Peterman might not be so lucky, as most teams aren’t looking to bring in another signal caller.
Peterman spent the 2022 season with the Bears on a one-year deal after spending two previous seasons (2020 and 21) with the Las Vegas Raiders.
The veteran quarterback initially didn’t make the 53-man roster out of preseason, but Chicago immediately signed him to the practice squad. Peterman was signed to the active roster late in the 2022 season, appearing in three games and making one start.
Peterman started in the regular-season finale against the Minnesota Vikings. The 6-foot-2 QB completed 11-of-19 passes for 114 yards and a touchdown.
The Bears re-signed Peterman to a one-year deal the following offseason, but he was again sent packing at the end of preseason. Chicago brought him back a couple of days later, but released him multiple times throughout the first two months of the season. Ultimately, Chicago kept Peterman on the roster.
Last year, the journeyman quarterback suited up for three different teams. He signed a one-year deal with the New Orleans Saints, who released him at the beginning of August. From there, he signed with the Raiders, but they cut him at the end of the preseason.
Then, the former Bears quarterback was signed to the Falcons' practice squad last September, but didn’t receive any practice squad elevations. The last thing we heard about Peterman was him trying out with the Washington Commanders during rookie minicamp in May.
The ex-Bear QB did not get signed after rookie minicamp, so he waits for another opportunity to come along. Peterman hasn’t shown much in his six years of NFL experience, making it hard to justify signing him over Carson Wentz, Tyler Huntley, or Desmond Ridder.