The Chicago Bears are currently in the midst of cutting down their roster to 53 players, like every other NFL team. During this time, monitoring the waiver wire is important to see who becomes available. For Chicago, the two positions they are likely looking to upgrade on the waiver wire are defensive end and running back.
The Bears' running back room sustained many injuries in the final few weeks of training camp and the preseason. Due to this, the health of the room is in question at the beginning of the year. Luckily, an interesting running back name became available that the Bears should look into.
This is a player, I’d think about adding for the Bears if he still has his Notre Dame form https://t.co/FDfZzQe0rc
— Greg Gabriel (@ggabefootball) August 25, 2025
Bears Should Explore Signing Former Broncos RB Audric Estime
According to Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports, the Denver Broncos released running back Audric Estime on Monday evening. Denver selected Estime in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL draft and is already moving on. Given that he is only 21 years old, he could be a great addition to the Bears' running back rotation.
Many Bears fans are likely already familiar with Estime. The 21-year-old attended Notre Dame from 2021-2023, which is a school many Chicagoans keep up with. With the Fighting Irish, he rushed for 2,321 yards on 373 carries and scored 29 touchdowns.
Though he didn't see lots of reps pass blocking when he had to, he did a nice job of it. According to Pro Football Focus, Estime finished his final season at Notre Dame with a 63.6 pass blocking grade. He continued to look good in pass blocking during his two preseasons in Denver, recording grades of 81.2 and 79.5, respectively.
Coming out of college, NFL.com's draft expert Lance Zierlein compared Eetinme to Jamaal Williams. If that comparison is correct, the talented RB could be a huge asset to the Bears' offense going forward.
In the one season the Williams spent with Bears head coach Ben Johnson in Detroit, he had the best statistical season of his career. In 2022, Williams rushed for 1,066 yards on 262 carries and scored 17 touchdowns. Given that Estime is younger, he may be even more effective in Johnson's offense.
That said, Chicago did draft a bruising running back in Kyle Monangai in the seventh round this year. So, signing Estime might give the Bears some redundancy in their backfield. Nevertheless, general manager Ryan Poles should still explore the possibility of adding the former Notre Dame product..