The final chapter of the Chicago Bears' 2025 preseason is almost here. The Kansas City Chiefs will visit Soldier Field on Friday night for the preseason finale, leaving time to tell if the Bears can pull off another win to end the exhibition slate on a high note following Sunday's 38-0 drubbing of the Buffalo Bills.
As usual, this time of the summer means that teams are already making roster cuts in anticipation of the 53-man deadline, which goes into effect on Aug. 26. Former Bears free-agent target DJ Chark was just cut by the Atlanta Falcons on Monday, and it didn't take long for another name who Chicago fans are familiar with to join Chark in the unemployment line.
Packers released Garnett Hollis and waived/injured Keith Randolph. https://t.co/BwOVvzS0zM
— Bill Huber (@BillHuberNFL) August 18, 2025
Former Bears DT Keith Randolph Waived by Packers on Monday
On Monday afternoon, Sports Illustrated's Bill Huber reported that the rival Green Bay Packers have waived former Bears defensive tackle Keith Randolph. The ex-Illinois defender signed a reserve/future contract with the Packers in January, but his undisclosed injury situation will prevent him from playing a single game with them.
Since his release comes with an injury designation, it'll be interesting to see what happens to Randolph last.
The 23-year-old DT will be added to the Packers' injured reserve if he goes unclaimed on waivers. Green Bay would then have the option to release Randolph with an injury settlement if he's confident he can play this season, which would see him paid for any projected missed games while opening a roster spot for someone healthy enough to play right away.
Regardless, Randolph's being waived is another bump on the road to begin his NFL career. The Belleville, IL native joined the Bears as an undrafted free agent last May, only to be booted from the Windy City two days after their preseason finale.
Randolph was a force during his time with the Fighting Illini, but it remains to be seen if he can replicate that success at the NFL level. He racked up 159 combined tackles, 10.0 sacks, four defended passes, two interceptions, and a forced fumble in 42 games at Illinois, which included third-team All-Big Ten honors for his 2023 performance.
After going 0-2 with NFC North teams to begin his NFL career, all eyes will be on the failed Bears experiment to see where he will end up next.